Dr. Eddie Peasant, superintendent of the Starkville-Oktibbeha School District, will join William Carey University’s School of Education as assistant dean on July 1.
“We are so fortunate to have Dr. Peasant join us. His experience and educational background make him an ideal person to help lead the growth of the WCU School of Education,” said WCU President Dr. Tommy King.
Peasant announced his upcoming retirement as superintendent earlier this month. In his new position at William Carey University, Peasant will lead accreditation and assessment efforts for the WCU School of Education and supervise the Educational Leadership programs and faculty.
“Dr. Peasant’s commitment to education make him a welcome addition to our team. His leadership and strong record of strategic planning will build on our record of academic excellence, teacher recruitment and retention initiatives, and K-12 partnerships,” said Dr. Teresa Poole, dean of the WCU School of Education.
Peasant’s career in education spans three decades.
Since 2017, he has been superintendent of Starkville-Oktibbeha School District, where he oversaw construction of Partnership Middle School on the campus of Mississippi State University, implemented classroom to career learning experiences through the Academic Houses at Starkville High School, established a free Pre-K program, launched an $11 million capital improvement campaign, and safely navigated a pandemic to return to in-person learning.
“I’ve known of Dr. Peasant’s abilities and passion for education since he was a student-teacher under my supervision in the early 1990s. He has served brilliantly as a teacher and school leader all over the state, which gives him a great perspective on training the next generation of teachers and leaders,” said Dr. Ben Burnett, WCU executive vice president.
His first job after earning a bachelor’s degree was band director at Century High School in Pensacola, Fla. Since then, he has worked in Mississippi – band director at Murrah High School, assistant principal (and later principal) of Clinton High School, principal of Gulfport Central Middle School, assistant superintendent of Tupelo School District and, finally, superintendent of the Starkville-Oktibbeha School District.
From the University of Southern Mississippi, Peasant earned Bachelor of Music Education, Specialist in Education, and Doctor of Education degrees. He earned a Master of Education degree from Mississippi College, where he was also an adjunct professor.
Peasant is past president of the Mississippi Association of School Administrators and has served on the governing board of the American Association of School Administrators. He has been a member of the Mississippi Department of Education Superintendent’s Advisory Board and Accountability Task Force.
