Crossley receives The W’s Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award
Mississippi University for Women has announced Dr. Davida Crossley as the recipient of The W’s Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award. She was honored alongside faculty from each of Mississippi’s public universities Thursday, Feb. 15 at the annual Diversity and Inclusion Awards ceremony of the Mississippi Board of Trustees of the State Institutions of Higher Learning in Jackson
“Dr. Crossley has demonstrated a passion for advancing diversity and inclusion on our campus and throughout the state. Since joining The W in 2020, she has worked tirelessly to recruit and offer opportunities to students as well as mentoring them,” said W President Nora Miller.
Crossley, assistant professor of microbiology, noticed that there was a distinct lack of minority representation in STEM and research programs. She set out to remedy that.
“Dr. Crossley has demonstrated a passion for advancing diversity and inclusion on our campus and throughout the state. Since joining The W in 2020, she has worked tirelessly to recruit and offer opportunities to students as well as mentoring them,” said W President Nora Miller.
Crossley, assistant professor of microbiology, noticed that there was a distinct lack of minority representation in STEM and research programs. She set out to remedy that.
“I have noticed that there is a general underrepresentation of minorities in science research and in STEM throughout the country, and I wanted to make a difference and change that. I thrive to promote diversity not only at the university but also in the community. I would like for the students to be able look at me as a double underrepresented minority and be inspired and to be able to know that they can be scientists too,” Crossley said.
Crossley has also participated in the predominantly African American Aberdeen High School’s Summer Enrichment Program, where she introduced the students to fun but meaningful aspects of biology involving DNA, including forensic sciences and identifying disorders via karyotyping and genetic engineering. In 2023, Crossley was a coordinator and panelist for The Women In STEM Panel at the Mississippi Academy of Science 87th Annual Meeting.
Additionally, for the fourth consecutive year, she will serve as coordinator for the Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program (MSEIP) Summer Workshop at Alcorn State University. The workshop aims to bridge the gap for students in high school to college by training Mississippi high school teachers from predominately African American high schools in Vicksburg, Fayette, Port Gibson and Jefferson County.
Crossley holds a doctorate in molecular biology from the University of Southern Mississippi. She received her bachelor’s degree in biology from University of Southern Mississippi as well.
“Dr. Crossley has noticed that there is a general underrepresentation of minorities in science research. She has recruited and mentored several minority students in her Histoplasmosis Lab at The W, in which she studies the dimorphic fungi Histoplasma capsulatum,” said Dr. Bonnie Oppenheimer, professor and chair of the department of sciences and mathematics at The W.
Oppenheimer added, “Because of Dr. Crossley’s drive and leadership to promote diversity on campus; her work with the best practices that support effective teaching, recruitment, retention and engagement across the state; and her willingness to work with our younger community members, I believe she is a deserving candidate for this award.”
Annually, the university awards a faculty or staff member the Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award for their efforts to enhance diversity, promote cultural diversity and cultivate an inclusive campus community in teaching, service or leadership. Nominations are received by the Council for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.