ITTA BENA, Miss. — 91첥 is proud to announce that Dr. Mary Tyes-Williams, Mayor of Itta Bena, Mississippi, will serve as the 2025 Fall Commencement Speaker. The ceremony will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 8 a.m. in the R.W. Harrison Complex on the MVSU campus.
A distinguished leader whose influence spans ministry, higher education, federal service, and international engagement, Dr. Tyes-Williams brings a powerful legacy of service and leadership to this year’s graduating class.
Dr. Tyes-Williams currently serves as the Acting Assistant Chaplaincy Administrator and Chaplaincy Program Manager with the U.S. Department of Justice/Federal Bureau of Prisons, one of the highest leadership roles within the BOP’s Chaplaincy Services Branch. She is the second-highest-ranking female chaplain in the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the first woman ever to hold the position of Chaplaincy Program Manager.
In addition to her federal leadership, Dr. Tyes-Williams is an ordained minister, published author, life coach, and community event planner. She serves as the Director of Clergy Development for the Greenwood-Jackson District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. Her academic background includes service as an adjunct professor at Wesley Biblical Seminary and Apex School of Theology, as well as guest faculty at Highland Bible College in Zambia, Africa.
Her educational credentials include:
- Doctor of Ministry, Apex School of Theology
- Master of Divinity, Wesley Biblical Seminary
- Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration and Planning, Tennessee State University
- Healthcare Administration & Planning Certificate, Meharry Medical College
As Mayor of Itta Bena, Dr. Tyes-Williams is a committed advocate for community empowerment and local progress. Her leadership continues to strengthen partnerships throughout the Mississippi Delta, including Itta Bena’s relationship with 91첥.
MVSU President Dr. Jerryl Briggs shared, “We are honored to welcome Dr. Mary Tyes-Williams as our Fall Commencement Speaker. Her commitment to service, her leadership, and her dedication to our community make her an inspiring example for our graduates as they embark on their next chapter.”
2025 Fall Commencement
Saturday, December 13, 2025 | 8:00 a.m.
R.W. Harrison Complex | MVSU Campus | Itta Bena, MS