SDC2024 Conference Guide

ARIANNA STOKES Dr. Arianna C. Stokes, a two-time graduate of Jackson State University with a multifaceted career spanning K-12 education, higher education, scholarly research, and literary contributions. Following the completion of her doctoral degree, Dr. Stokes began a career in higher education with a focus in eLearning and instructional technology, where she now works at the Mississippi Community College Board in the division of eLearning and Instructional Technology. She has contributed to research, publications, and multimedia that explore education, lifestyle optimization, and Black women in the 1%. Dr. Arianna C. Stokes has over 8 years of experience in the field of education and a host of other talents and abilities. She is a dynamic and influential figure both in her profession and the community, as a member of the Jackson State University National Alumni Association, NAACP, Mississippi eLearning Association, Golden Key International Honour Society, Black Women PhDs network, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. In 2023, she was named as a member of Jackson State University’s Top 40 Under 40 Alpha Cohort. Her unwavering dedication to transformative learning, mentorship, and philanthropy reflects her significant impact on her community, education, and scholarship. KENNETHWHEATLEY Kenneth Wheatley holds a Master of Public Policy and Administration from Mississippi State University (1994). Mr. Wheatley’s professional background includes extensive grant writing,grants administration, training, and project management experiences in the public and private sectors. Mr. Wheatley has generated more than $30M in federal, state, and foundation grant funding for various agencies and organizations throughout Mississippi. Kenneth has consulted for several federal and state agencies and private foundations in grant writing, grant review, Request for Proposal (RFP) development, project management, and project evaluation. Mr. Wheatley has presented numerous grant writing workshops for various statewide groups and organizations, including several years of teaching a grant writing course at Millsaps College. Kenneth holds a Grants Management Certificate™ from Management Concepts and has attended various grant writing and grant administration training programs sponsored by reputable grants-related training organizations. Mr. Wheatley serves as the Assistant Executive Director of Resource Development at the MS Community College Board (MCCB), where he conducts funding research, grant writing, and project management services impacting MCCB and Mississippi’s fifteen community colleges.

AI in the Higher Education Landscape

March 7 th 9:45 – 10:30 am

Kenneth is a professed Christian who serves as a deacon at New Hope Baptist Church, and his greatest joy is being a devoted husband and father of two amazing children.

SDC 2024