Leigh Anne Newton. Submitted photo
Leigh Anne Newton to lead northeast Mississippi regional campuses
Leigh Anne Newton, a Tupelo native and faculty member at the University of Mississippi at Tupelo, is helping the university continue its commitment to workforce development in the area as the new director of its Booneville and Tupelo regional campuses.
Newton took over the leadership of these important regional campuses on April 15, 2024, bringing a renewed vision and commitment to serving their communities. A lifelong resident of north Mississippi, Newton has served 26 years as a teacher and administrator for the Lee County School District.
“North Mississippi is my home, and I want to see this area continue to grow through businesses, industries and educational opportunities,” she said. “We are fortunate to have strong K-12 school systems, community colleges and universities right here.
“I want to work to ensure everyone knows about and can take advantage of these opportunities our students have right here close to home.”
Chancellor Glenn Boyce said he is confident that Newton can help the university continue to help residents improve their economic prospects through its regional campuses.
“Leigh Anne Newton’s leadership and longtime dedication to the area will elevate the impact of the Booneville and Tupelo regional campuses as we remain focused on increasing opportunities and access to higher education for the citizens of Mississippi,” Boyce said.
A two-time teacher of the year in Lee County, Newton moved into district leadership as director of students services in 2014. She was promoted to chief academic officer in 2015.
Ryan Niemeyer, UM assistant provost for regional education, touted Newton’s record in leadership, team building, strategic planning and community engagement.
“Dr. Newton brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our team, and her deep ties to the Tupelo and Booneville communities will be a tremendous asset as we look to the future educational needs of these areas,” he said.
During her tenure with the school district, Newton has been a part of innovative partnerships between education and industry to develop a stronger workforce for northeast Mississippi.
One of these programs created the unmanned aerial systems, or drone, career exploration program for high school students at the Lee County Career and Technical Education Center. The program is housed at “The Hive,” the Community Development Foundation’s technology and business incubator.
UAS manufacturer Hush Aerospace operates a manufacturing facility that hires many students from the training program.
Newton says one of her goals will be to establish more business, industry and community partnerships that can benefit students and the area workforce.
“We want to provide specific workforce training that leads our students into a job with local industries and companies,” she said. “When ICC, Northeast Community College and UM-Tupelo students are successful and have a career path in place, keeping our students in north Mississippi is a win for everyone.”
Ole Miss has been offering academic courses in Tupelo since 1972, when the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning approved the establishment of off-campus centers. The Tupelo campus opened in east Tupelo during the spring of 1974 and moved to the corner of Eason Boulevard and Highway 6 in 1975.
In September 2000, the Advanced Education Center, home of the Tupelo regional campus, opened in partnership with Itawamba Community College and the nursing program of Mississippi University for Women.
Since then, thousands of area residents have completed associate degrees at ICC and walked across the hall for bachelor’s and master’s-level courses through Ole Miss, all without leaving Lee County.
The university has partnered with Northeast Mississippi Community College to offer bachelor’s degree programs on the Booneville campus since 2005.
“Regional campuses at UM-Tupelo and UM-Booneville can give specific support to nontraditional students who have many outside responsibilities that make continuing education possible no matter what stage of life a student may be in,” Newton said.
“We want to continue offering flexible scheduling and personalized support to both traditional and nontraditional students throughout each step of their academic career.”
Newton understands the college journey from many different angles, having experienced it as a student, faculty member and parent of a college students. She and her husband, Brian, have a daughter, Reagan, who earned an education degree and teaches at Plantersville Middle School. Their son, Wes, is a senior anthropology major at Ole Miss.
“A college degree opens doors of opportunities that some may not even know exist,” she said. “Paying for college and other expenses can be trying, but completing your degree will bring dividends through a higher salary and opportunities to advance in your career.
“I’m excited to now be a part of this enriching service that the University of Mississippi offers to my neighbors and community.”
By Pam Starling
