Bishop becomes eighth president of SMCC

SUMMIT — Southwest Mississippi Community College’s Board of Trustees has unanimously selected Dr. Steve Bishop, SMCC’s vice president of student affairs, as the college’s new president.

Bishop, who will become SMCC’s eighth president, was chosen after Dr. Oliver Young announced his decision to retire as president effective June 30.

Bishop said, “I am excited and humbled about being selected Southwest Mississippi Community College’s president and look to continue the excellence that is expected from this college. I am very fortunate to be a part of the Southwest family, and I look forward to this new role at the college. Southwest has an established group of dedicated employees, and together we will continue to provide quality education for the students of this community, state and region.”

Bishop began his career at SMCC as an instructor in 1992. He is a 1988 graduate of Southwest Mississippi Junior College, earned a B.S. degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and a master’s of arts from Southeastern Louisiana University. He was awarded his Ph.D. in higher education administration from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1997.

Bishop, a native of Gillsburg, is the son of Barbara Blount Bishop and the late Curtis Bishop. He is married to Dr. Melanie Hammill Bishop of Poplarville. They are the parents of four children, Katherine, Ruth and twins Arthur and Eleanor.