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This summer will see a change of leadership at Â鶹¹ÙÍø Carey University’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 Â鶹¹ÙÍø-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 Â鶹¹ÙÍø President Dr. Ben Burnett.

“He is also a two-time graduate of Â鶹¹ÙÍø Carey. 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 Â鶹¹ÙÍø Carey – and I’m excited to re-join the Carey family now. The potential for growth at Â鶹¹ÙÍø’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 Â鶹¹ÙÍø’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 Â鶹¹ÙÍø 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 Â鶹¹ÙÍø-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 Â鶹¹ÙÍø-Tradition, visit wmcarey.edu/tradition.