Cleveland School District Cleveland MS

Dr. Jacquelyn Carter Thigpen is a native of Cleveland and is a product of the school system she now leads as Superintendent of Education. Dr. Thigpen is the daughter of the late Simon and Olevia Kent Carter. She is married to Curtis Thigpen and they have two sons, Gary and Terrence (TJ). Dr. Thigpen is a member of Old St. Phillip Missionary Baptist Church in Cleveland, MS.

Dr. Thigpen is a graduate of East Side High School. She then received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Delta State University. She furthered her educational career by receiving the following degrees from Delta State University:

•· Master of Education Degree in Guidance and Counseling - 1982

•· Master of Education Degree in School Psychology - 1992

•· Master of Education Degree in Educational Administration - 1997

•· Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Administration - 2000

•· Doctor of Education with an emphasis on Curriculum and Instruction - December 2004

Dr. Thigpen has held various positions in counseling and/or education including: Teacher's Assistant at Bell Elementary; Alcohol and Drug Counselor for Mississippi Department of Corrections, Parchman, MS; Mental Health Consultant for Sunflower/Sharkey-Issaquena Count Head Start; Counselor/Part-Time Instructor in Behavioral Sciences at Delta State University; and School Psychometrist and Director of Special Services for the Cleveland School District. Dr. Thigpen was appointed Interim Superintendent of the Cleveland School District in May 2007.

Dr. Thigpen is a member of various professional organizations:

•· MS Association of Psychology in Schools

•· MS Professional Educators

•· MS Chapter for Administrators for Special Education

•· Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development

•· Phi Delta Kappa

•· MS Association of School Superintendents

Dr. Thigpen is also an active member of the Bolivar County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

On February 5, 2008, Dr. Jacquelyn C. Thigpen assumed the duties of Superintendent of Education for the Cleveland School District, becoming the first African American female to hold this position in the Cleveland School District.