Candice Wilder

Mississippi Today’s Candice Wilder chosen for investigative reporting fellowship Candice Wilder, Mississippi Today’s higher education reporter, is among 10 journalists selected for the Ida B. Wells Society’s 2026 investigative reporting fellowship program. The six-month fellowship includes a series of training sessions on topics such as public records, data evaluation, web research and fact-checking. The program includes in-person training in Atlanta led by top investigative journalists.

Mississippi Today’s Candice Wilder chosen for investigative reporting fellowship

Candice Wilder, Mississippi Today’s higher education reporter, is among 10 journalists selected for the Ida B. Wells Society’s 2026 investigative reporting fellowship program. The six-month fellowship includes a…

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UM center helps faculty make reading relevant - Mississippi Today A UM center helps faculty better incorporate reading into classes.

Candice Wilder took a lot of time to make sure she got everything right for this piece, and I'm terribly pleased with how it turned out. Thanks @bycandicewilder.bsky.social for your deep and thoughtful reporting and to Eric Shelton for his excellent photos. mississippitoday.org/2025/12/26/u...

IHL officials announces Jackson State University president search  Mississippi's college governing board announced Thursday it will begin its official search process for a new Jackson State University president.

IHL officials announces Jackson State University president search 

Mississippi's college governing board announced Thursday it will begin its official search process for a new Jackson State University president.

As Jackson State University president search looms, politics may make the position more difficult The next leader of JSU will face pressure from constituent groups and state legislators under a changing higher education landscape.

As Jackson State University president search looms, politics may make the position more difficult

The next leader of JSU will face pressure from constituent groups and state legislators under a changing higher education landscape.

Jackson State students call on administration to address ‘an unfair housing crisis’ More than 380 JSU students have signed a petition demanding school officials address housing and financial aid concerns.

Jackson State students call on administration to address ‘an unfair housing crisis’

More than 380 JSU students have signed a petition demanding school officials address housing and financial aid concerns.

Will revised Mississippi textbook ever make it to the classroom? "Mississippi Conflict & Change" is back in print for the first time in four decades.

Will revised Mississippi textbook ever make it to the classroom?

"Mississippi Conflict & Change" is back in print for the first time in four decades.

Federal judge temporarily blocks Mississippi’s new DEI ban U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate on Sunday approved the request for a temporary restraining order sought by a coalition of civil rights and legal organizations on behalf of students, parents and educators.

Federal judge temporarily blocks Mississippi’s new DEI ban

U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate on Sunday approved the request for a temporary restraining order sought by a coalition of civil rights and legal organizations on behalf of students, parents and educators.

A Black-owned funeral home in the Mississippi Delta is celebrating a century of service Founded a century ago, Delta Burial Corp. in Marks has a mission to provide dignified burials for local residents in the Mississippi Delta, regardless of status and income.

A Black-owned funeral home in the Mississippi Delta is celebrating a century of service

Founded a century ago, Delta Burial Corp. in Marks has a mission to provide dignified burials for local residents in the Mississippi Delta, regardless of status and income.

 IHL reps assure wary JSU alums the president search will be ‘open and engaging’ JSU alumn remain wary about how the Institutions of Higher Learning board will pick the school's next president.

 IHL reps assure wary JSU alums the president search will be ‘open and engaging’

JSU alumn remain wary about how the Institutions of Higher Learning board will pick the school's next president.

Jackson State University and IHL tentatively settle faculty senate president lawsuit  A proposed settlement would restore Dawn Bishop McLin at JSU to her position as tenured psychology professor.

Jackson State University and IHL tentatively settle faculty senate president lawsuit 

A proposed settlement would restore Dawn Bishop McLin at JSU to her position as tenured psychology professor.

Pell grant changes in 'One Big Beautiful Bill' could affect nearly 80,000 Mississippi college students - Mississippi Today Higher education officials and advocates warn the proposed changes to the federal Pell Grant program would have a negative impact on college affordability and access.

Pell grant changes in ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ could affect nearly 80,000 Mississippi college students, my latest on @mississippitoday.org: mississippitoday.org/2025/06/20/p...

Groups sue Mississippi education boards over new DEI law The lawsuit alleges that House Bill 1193, which was passed by the Legislature in April and part of a national trend of anti-DEI legislative efforts, violates the First and Fourteenth amendments by imposing the government’s views on race, gender and sexuality on students and educators. 

Groups sue Mississippi education boards over new DEI law

The lawsuit alleges that House Bill 1193, which was passed by the Legislature in April and part of a national trend of anti-DEI legislative efforts, violates the First and Fourteenth amendments by imposing the government’s views on race,…

Jackson State alums demand open dialogue with Mississippi college board  A group of Jackson State alumni has launched a letter-writing campaign seeking accountability and transparency in the president search process.

Jackson State alums demand open dialogue with Mississippi college board 

A group of Jackson State alumni has launched a letter-writing campaign seeking accountability and transparency in the president search process.

How Mississippi’s HBCUs are navigating Trump’s federal funding cuts - Mississippi Today Tougaloo College and Jackson State University are feeling the effects of Trump administration funding cuts..

Tougaloo College and Jackson State University are feeling the effects of Trump administration funding cuts.

'Three strikes and you're out': JSU alums, lawmakers critiqueIHL Graduates and Mississippi lawmakers of the state’s largest historically Black university say they’re frustrated with the college board after JSU's third leadership turnover.

Graduates and Mississippi lawmakers of the state’s largest historically Black university say they’re frustrated with the college board after JSU's third leadership turnover.

mississippitoday.org/2025/05/14/t...

Jackson State President Marcus Thompson resigns - Mississippi Today JSU President Marcus Thompson resigned Wednesday after nearly two years leading the historically Black university.

JSU President Marcus Thompson resigned Wednesday after nearly two years leading the historically Black university.

mississippitoday.org/2025/05/07/j...

Amid crackdown on universities, Millsaps prof's job in flux The morning after the 2024 presidential election, James Bowley canceled his class “to mourn and process this racist fascist country.” Millsaps fired him.

The morning after the 2024 presidential election, James Bowley canceled his class “to mourn and process this racist fascist country.” Millsaps fired him.

mississippitoday.org/2025/04/22/a...

Trump order threatens funding for Miss. colleges, cultural centers Mississippi's cultural centers and institutions are in limbo as federal grants are on pause.

‘We should all be worried’: Trump order threatens funding to Mississippi colleges, cultural centers and libraries mississippitoday.org/2025/04/07/t...

Mississippi libraries ordered to delete academic research in response to state laws - Mississippi Today The two research collections state officials ordered for deletion included material from professional journals, conference papers, books, student dissertations, periodicals and newspaper articles.

The two research collections state officials ordered for deletion included material from professional journals, conference papers, books, student dissertations, periodicals and newspaper articles.

A win for press freedom: Judge dismisses Gov. Phil Bryant’s lawsuit against Mississippi Today - Mississippi Today A state judge dismissed former Gov. Phil Bryant’s defamation lawsuit against Mississippi Today, ending a nearly two-year case that became a beacon in the fight for American press freedom.

Madison County Circuit Court Judge Bradley Mills dismissed former Gov. Phil Bryant’s defamation lawsuit against Mississippi Today on Friday, ending a nearly two-year case that became a beacon in the fight for American press freedom.

It’s my first week covering higher education at @mississippitoday.org!

I’m thrilled to join such a talented and ambitious team. Also excited to get started on a beat in a critical moment.

Have tips / story ideas / coffee invites?

You can email me: cwilder@mississippitoday.org 🗞️✨