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Dr. LaDon L. Jones

The goals of the Maxine Smith Fellows program are to provide African-American employees of TBR schools the opportunity to increase their academic and professional credentials; to allow Fellows to observe and participate in decision-making situations; to provide Fellows the opportunity to experience how policy is made at the institution, senior administrative, and governing board levels; and to increase the number of qualified applicants from under-represented groups for senior level administrative positions at TBR schools.

During the 10-month program, Jones’ mentor will be Dr. Richard Rhoda, executive director of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC).

“It is an honor to represent the University of Memphis in this regard,” Jones said. “I am looking forward to working with TBR and Dr. Rhoda at THEC. My goal is to develop more opportunities within the state to help the U of M achieve its mission of developing even more Dreamers, Thinkers and Doers.”

Jones earned a bachelor of professional studies degree from the U of M in 1988. He also received a master’s degree in health administration and a doctorate in health services, both from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

The program honors Dr. Maxine Smith, the noted civil rights leader and Memphis resident who served two terms as a member of the TBR.