By Staff
Special to The Star
Jan. 24, 2002
Dr. Reginald Sykes was named Wednesday as vice president of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College's Jefferson Davis Campus in Gulfport.
The community college's board of trustees, meeting in Perkinston, approved Sykes' move within the college. He has worked as the Jefferson Davis Campus as dean of student services since July 2000.
Sykes, a Gulfport resident and Meridian native, came to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College after working as dean of students at Meridian Community College for seven years.
His selection as Jefferson Davis Campus vice president follows the retirement of Donnie Taylor, the campus vice president for 10 years.
The community college, now recognizing its 90th birthday, serves Harrison, Jackson, Stone and George counties in academics, workforce development, continuing education and adult basic skills.
In fall 2001, the college served more than 24,500 people in credit and non-credit programs. The Jefferson Davis Campus enrolls more than 3,500 students each semester.
Sykes' educational background includes bachelor's and master's degrees in education from Jackson State University and a doctorate in education from Mississippi State University.
Sykes has worked in education for 20 years, beginning in 1981 when he began teaching at Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas.
From there, he worked in a variety of jobs including as a teacher in Columbus; an assistant principal at Aberdeen High School; and a principal at Southeast Middle School in Meridian.
In July 1992, Sykes became director of the East Mississippi Center for Educational Development, part of MSU's Meridian campus. In July 1993, he moved to Meridian Community College as dean of students.
Seven years later, he moved to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
Sykes is involved in a number of professional and civic organizations, including the Mississippi Power Educational Foundation Board, for which he serves as president; Kiwanis International (Gulfport); First Missionary Baptist Church; Gulfport Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity; and Phi Delta Kappa Fraternity.
A recipient of the Meridian Jaycees Outstanding Young Educator Award, Sykes is a 2001-2002 Educational Policy Fellowship Program participant and a Mississippi Community College Fellowship Program participant.
Willis Lott, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College president, said that "Sykes' commitment to the community college mission is evident in his career path."