James H. Young, III, Ph.D.
Dr. James H. “Jim” Young, III is the Director of Doctoral Studies and a member of the graduate faculty in the School of Education at the Belhaven University. He earned an undergraduate degree from Mississippi College and both a Master’s of Education and Doctor of Philosophy (educational administration) degrees from The University of Southern Mississippi (USM). Dr. Young has taught or currently teaches graduate-level courses in educational research design, administration, and technology. Prior to beginning work at Belhaven University in 2015, he served as Coordinator of Assessment and Accreditation in the College of Education and Psychology at USM. Additionally, for five years, Dr. Young was the Technology Development Coordinator for the Teacher Leader Institute at USM.
A resident of the Sandhill community and Rankin County School Board District 5, Dr. Young is a third-generation educator. Across generations, education has become the family business. Both of his parents, siblings, and all four grandparents have served public schools in Mississippi in a variety of roles including teacher, school administrator, and local school board representative. Dr. Young’s late grandfather, James Hubert “Hoss” Young, was a long-serving principal of Pisgah Attendance Center from the late 1950s until his death in 1984.
Excellent education professionals make for outstanding, effective schools. When effective schools have essential community and parental support, students are afforded the best possible opportunities to learn. Dr. Young is uniquely qualified to serve on the Rankin County School District’s Board of Trustees. His professional focus has been and continues to be centered on improving and strengthening schools and systems of education through practical, effective training of teachers and school leaders. Rankin County is blessed to have all of the fundamentals to continue its legacy of successful schools. Dr. Young’s passion for education will help sustain and enhance this legacy.
