Dr. Wandra Arrington was recently appointed director of the Myrlie Evers-Williams Honors Program at Alcorn State University.
The Honors Program, which has a celebrated history of excellence, serves students and faculty with exceptional intellectual commitment and ability in an atmosphere that stimulates scholarship, leadership, and creativity. Its pillars are critical reasoning, creative problem-solving, communication skills, character development, collaborative practices, and compassionate service.
Arrington, a native of the Mississippi Delta, was born to Drs. Alfred and Josie Arrington, former educators at Mississippi Valley State University and alumni of Alcorn State University. Arrington and her twin sister, Dr. Shundra Arrington-Warren, also continued their education at the University on a Marching and Concert Band Scholarship.
She brings over 25 years of experience at Alcorn State University to her new role. Her career includes positions as assistant professor of agriculture education, assistant professor of agricultural economics and agribusiness, and extension agent.
Previously, Arrington served as the assistant director of the Honors Program at Alcorn State from 2014 to 2017.
Throughout her career, she has published numerous academic articles, book reviews, and book chapters. She also serves on grant review panels, advisory boards, editorial boards, and university committees. Her dedication to student success earned her the title of 2023 Yearbook Favorite Faculty/Staff for the School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences.
Her exceptional contribution to the academic field has also earned her several awards, including the 2023 National Society of Leadership and Success Faculty Impact Leader Award in recognition of her exemplary mentorship and advice to students.
Dr. Arrington has served as the administrative liaison for Golden Key International Honor Society, Mortar Board National College Senior Honor Society, and the Honors Student Organization. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Sounds of Dynamite (SOD) Club, and a charter member of Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority at Alcorn State University.
In 2023, she served as the parliamentary representative for the University Faculty Senate. She currently serves on the University Curriculum Committee, Enrollment Management Council Committee, and Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) Committee.
Throughout her career, Dr. Arrington has advised hundreds of undergraduate students. Her motto reflects her commitment to education, “Every individual deserves a chance for an education, and we must never lose sight of this.”
The Honors Curriculum Program, renamed for distinguished alumna Myrlie Evers-Williams in 2022, offers a diverse interdisciplinary curriculum designed to engage students through an intense focus on research, service, and experiential learning.
Students may enter the Program as first-time freshmen with a minimum ACT score of 24 or an equivalent score on the SAT, at the end of any semester with a grade point average of 3.0 or above, or as recipients of academic scholarships while maintaining a grade point average of 3.0 or above.
Students who have completed at least 24 hours of honors course work and have maintained a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.25 in honors and overall may graduate with the distinction of a Myrlie Evers-Williams Honors Scholar. In addition to the above requirements, the recipient of this distinction must be enrolled in a minimum of six hours of honors coursework during at least three of the four undergraduate years.
For more information, please visit — https://www.alcorn.edu/academics/mew-honors-program/.
