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This summer will see a change of leadership at ³Ô¹ÏÍø’s Tradition campus in Biloxi.

After decades of service to K-12 and higher education on the Gulf Coast, Dr. Cassandra Conner is retiring. Stepping into her current role as vice president of ³Ô¹ÏÍø-Tradition is Dr. Ladd Taylor, longtime vice president of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College’s Perkinston campus.

The change will take effect July 1.

“During his 23 years at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Dr. Taylor has served in a wide variety of roles – residence life, admissions, athletics and vice president of MGCCC’s home campus. He will be able to make an immediate impact on our Biloxi campus with his knowledge of higher education on the Gulf Coast,” said ³Ô¹ÏÍø President Dr. Ben Burnett.

“He is also a two-time graduate of William ³Ô¹ÏÍø. We are proud of what he has accomplished and eager to welcome him home to his alma mater.”

Dr. Taylor and his family are preparing for the transition.

“I’m ready to forge a new path in my career journey. I was honored to earn specialist and doctoral degrees in higher education administration at William ³Ô¹ÏÍø – and I’m excited to re-join the ³Ô¹ÏÍø family now. The potential for growth at ³Ô¹ÏÍø’s Tradition campus is promising and I’m looking forward to being part of it,” Taylor said.

The Tradition campus now accounts for more than 20 percent of ³Ô¹ÏÍø’s enrollment. The campus has expanded over the last eight years, adding two new buildings, Scianna Hall and Sanderson Hall – the latter custom-designed to be home to the ³Ô¹ÏÍø School of Pharmacy.

More infrastructure improvements are in the planning stage. They include a full-service cafeteria, nursing simulation lab and residential housing for students.

“Dr. Conner has overseen significant growth at ³Ô¹ÏÍø-Tradition. We are sad to see someone of her reputation and commitment to education leave. But we are thankful for her many years of work and accomplishments,” Burnett said.

To learn more about ³Ô¹ÏÍø-Tradition, visit wmcarey.edu/tradition.