Online learning students in coffee shop attend class on a laptop

Earn your UMMC degree online
Students interacting at an Interprofessional Education event

Interprofessional Education at UMMC
Eight UMMC Graduates pose for a photo at Commencement

69th Annual UMMC Commencement

Friday, May 23, 2025 10 a.m.
Mississippi Coliseum
Main Content

Welcome to the Office of Academic Affairs

Portrait of Dr. Scott Rogers and Dr. Natalie Gaughf
Scott M. Rodgers, MD Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Natalie W. Gaughf, PhD, ABPP Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

The University of Mississippi Medical Center supports six health professions schools on its main campus in Jackson and successfully graduates roughly 1000 health care professionals each year, many of whom choose to stay and practice in the state.

The Office of the Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs oversees the academic enterprise of UMMC. To support our academic mission, each member of our team plays an essential role in our continuing success as we work to identify and promote best practices in health care education, including the following: 

  • Academic planning and strategy
  • Academic policies and procedures
  • Continuing health professions education
  • Faculty development and success
  • Institutional accreditation
  • Quality improvement and innovation in education
  • Resources through the Rowland Medical Library
  • Student services and success

Our goals are to provide quality education to our students and trainees and to promote lifelong learning to our alumni, faculty, and staff.

Thank you for visiting our webpage, and please feel free to browse through our many programs.  

Six Schools. One UMMC.

  1. School of Medicine building exterior.

    1955

    School of Medicine
  2. School of Nursing building exterior.

    1958

    School of Nursing
  3. School of Health Related Professions building exterior.

    1973

    School of Health Related Professions
  4. School of Dentistry building exterior.

    1975

    School of Dentistry
  5. Guyton Research Complex building exterior.

    2001

    School of Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences

  6. School of Population Health exterior building.

    2016

    John D. Bower School of Population Health

Faculty Directory

Click Here

Academic Affairs News

Iesha Smith is wrapping up her first full semester as a faculty member in the doctoral degree program in occupational therapy while also working at Children’s of Mississippi.

Front and Center: Iesha Smith

Monday, April 28, 2025

A decade spent aiding the highest of high-risk newborns to recovery and full health made Iesha Smith a natural fit to teach future occupational therapy practitioners. Read More

Hang Nguyen of Biloxi is a 2025 graduate from the UMMC School of Dentistry.

#2025UMMCGrad: Hang Nguyen

Monday, April 28, 2025

Growing up in East Biloxi, Hang Nguyen witnessed firsthand the barriers her community faced in accessing dental care. Now, as a member of the UMMC School of Dentistry Class of 2025, she is preparing to return home and make a difference as a dentist dedicated to serving underserved populations. Read More

Latest Articles

Now 40, Chris Glasgow had one time persuaded himself that he was too old to go to medical school. On Commencement Day, he will become one of around 160 graduates from the School of Medicine and will soon begin his specialty training in anesthesiology at UMMC.

#2025UMMCGrad: Chris Glasgow embraces the life he almost lost

Published on Monday, April 21, 2025

 Shaneka and Kevin Patterson look forward to receiving their DNPs from UMMC.

#2025UMMCGrad: Pattersons combine DNP studies with family life, careers

Published on Monday, April 14, 2025

 Dr. Lei Zhang welcomes faculty and students to the UMMC School of Nursing's Research and Scholarship Day.

UMMC launches Mississippi Center for Violence Research

Published on Monday, April 7, 2025

 Zornia Collier, 51, of Jackson prepares for a health screening, courtesy of Jackson Free Clinic students, during World Homeless Day last fall in Jackson. "With them, it's a caring situation," Collier says of the students. "It's not for a paycheck. It's from the heart."

‘A caring situation’ Students of the Jackson Free Clinic show up where the people are

Published on Monday, March 31, 2025

 With wife, Bonnie, cheering him on, Chris Glasgow, president of the fourth-year medical school class, reveals that he has matched in anesthesiology at UMMC.

“Matching” medical students remember the kindness and skill of those who inspired them to be doctors

Published on Monday, March 24, 2025

 Breaking ground on the new UMMC School of Nursing are, from left, architect Jim Eley, principal of Eley Guild Hardy Architects; Rep. Clay Deweese, Chairman House Appropriations C; Sen. Josh Harkins, Chairman Senate Finance; Malon Stratton, a fourth-year dental student; Higher Education Commissioner Dr. Alfred Rankins Jr.; Dr. Scott Rodgers, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs; Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann; Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs; Dr. Pia Chatterjee Kirk, interim dean of the School of Dentistry; Rep. John Read, Chairman House Appropriations A; Gee Ogletree, School of Dentistry alumna and previous IHL board member; Sen. Briggs Hopson, Chairman Senate Appropriations; and Secretary of State Michael Watson.

UMMC School of Dentistry breaks ground for new clinical building

Published on Thursday, March 6, 2025

 An artistic digital rendering depicts the future School of Dentistry clinical building.

UMMC School of Dentistry breaks ground on a new building

Published on Monday, February 24, 2025

 Dr. Michael Fast, director of the Comprehensive General Dentistry Program, and Avery Gibens, third-year dental student, examine patient, Lorenzo Boyland of Pearl, during Dental Mission Week.

Hundreds benefit from free services during Dental Mission Week

Published on Monday, February 10, 2025

Find Us on Social Media

Get news and information you need about the Office of Academic Affairs by connecting with us through our social media community. Our office is active on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Learn more about the student activities, events, programs, and services we support.

We look forward to engaging with you!

Facebook Feed Anchor

Upcoming Academic Calendar Items

Cardiovascular Disease Symposium

Tuesday, April 29 at 4:30 p.m

The 2025 Cardiovascular Disease Symposium will be held on Tuesday, April 29, from 4:30 to 9 p.m. at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame & Museum.

Read More
Image of person touching their toes

Adult Chair Yoga Classes

Tuesday, April 29 at 5:30 p.m

Join us at the Center for Integrative Health for a free, one-hour, beginner-level chair yoga class to help build strength and flexibility of the body and mind from a seated posture. Any interested participants can sign up by filling out the online form or calling the CIH at (601) 815-3424, option 1.

Read More
Portrait of Dr. Fiona Hollis

Physiology & Biophysics Seminar

Wednesday, April 30 at 12:00 p.m

Fiona Hollis, PhD, an assistant professor in the Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience in the School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, will present the Department of Physiology & Biophysics Seminar, "Brain mitochondrial function as a link between chronic stress and health."

Read More

SOPH Grading Period

Thursday, May 1 at 12:00 a.m

School of Population Health's grading period for the 2024-2025 spring semester is from Thursday, May 1 – Monday, May 19.

Read More

SON Honors Day

Thursday, May 1

SGSHS Spring Semester Grading Period

Thursday, May. 1 to May. 23

Everyday Wellness Walking

Thursday, May 1

SHRP Final Examinations End and Last Day of Summer Term (Except DPT and OTD)

Friday, May 2

SOD Last Day of Dental Hygiene Spring Semester

Friday, May 2

OBGYN Research Day

Friday, May 2

SHRP Final Grades Due in Workday by 5 p.m. (Except DPT and OTD)

Monday, May 5

SHRP Final examinations begin (OTD and DPT only)

Monday, May 5

View Full Academic Calendar