(JACKSON, Miss.) –Dr. Phillip “Flapp” Cockrell joins Jackson State University as the Associate Vice President for Student Life/Dean of Students.
Cockrell will work closely with the Vice President for Student Life and serve as an advocate for the needs and interests of all students and as liaison between students, parents, administration and academics to implement programs, services and resources.
At Jackson State, he will be responsible for the oversight of the following areas: Housing/Residence Life, Center for Service/Service Engaged Learning, Judicial Services, Walter Payton Recreation and Wellness Center, Veteran Services, Student Life Operations and the Health Services Center.
Cockrell brings more than 10 years of experience in student affairs and student services. Prior to joining JSU, Cockrell served as the Director of Student Life at the Mississippi University for Women, where his office was in charge of Career Services, Diversity Education and Programs, Greek Life, Orientation, Student Organizations, Student Government Association and Judicial Affairs. Also, he served as an Assistant Director of Diversity Education and Programs and Director of Orientation at MUW and Residence Hall Director at the Ohio State University.
“The Division of Student Life is very excited about the appointment of Dr. Phillip “Flapp” Cockrell as the Associate Vice President/Dean of Students,” said Dr. Marcus A. Chanay, JSU Vice President for Student Life. “He brings to us a strong understanding of higher education, administrative experience in student personnel and experience in policy development. His approach in developing policy is to keep the students in mind with an end result being greater student satisfaction.”
Cockrell holds a Doctor of Philosophy from Jackson State University in Urban Higher Education, a Master of Science degree from Florida International University in Educational Leadership – Student Affairs and a Bachelor’s degree from the Mississippi University for Women. He also was part of a Study Abroad Tour in Higher Education at Bowling Green State University.
He is a member of the American Association of Blacks in Higher Education, the American College Personnel Association, the National Society of Leadership Success and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Cockrell’s credentials also include numerous honors and awards, presentations and publications and professional and civic engagement activities.