Dr. Cassandra Conner

Cassandra Conner, a native of Gulfport, MS, currently serves as the Vice President of the Tradition Campus of William Carey University, the Associate Provost of Distance Learning, and as a Professor in the Department of Education. She attained her Bachelor’s, Master’s and Specialist degrees in Elementary Education from the University of Southern Mississippi and holds a Ph.D. in the field of Educational Leadership and Research. She retired from the public school system in 2011 where she served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and central office director. She started her career at William Carey University in 2011 as an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education and has served on that campus as the Academic Dean, the Director of the Education Department, and the Administrative/Academic Dean. In her current role at William Carey University, she is focused on creating opportunities and experiences that educate, equip, and empower students for successful careers in the workforce.

Dr. Conner was honored in 2023 with the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce Top Ten Community Leaders. She also was selected as one of the 100 Successful Women to Know by the Gulf Coast Woman magazine. In 2020 she received the Forever Young Award from the Mississippi Coast Young Professionals organization and was a finalist for the Lighthouse Business and Professional Women of Achievement Award. Currently, she is a board member for the Rotary Club of Gulfport-Orange Grove as well as the Gulf Coast Business Council, and she is an active member in several professional organizations.

She is married to Johnny Conner, a retiree from Mississippi Power Company, and has two children and one grandchild. In her spare time, she enjoys walking, gardening, arts and crafts, and spending time with her family.

Education

• Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Research, University of Southern Mississippi
• Specialist in Elementary Education, University of Southern Mississippi
• Master’s in Elementary Education, University of Southern Mississippi
• Bachelor’s in Elementary Education, University of Southern Mississippi