New Director of Public Safety Named at Mississippi College

A Clinton resident who’s a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force, Steve McCraney will serve as the new director of the Department of Public Safety at Mississippi College.

When McCraney goes to work June 1, the 47-year-old Mississippian will bring an extensive background in the military and public safety to the post at his alma mater. A Jackson native who grew up in Edwards, he will also teach homeland security classes in the administration of justice program on the Clinton campus.

A full-time Mississippi National Guard leader, McCraney has served as commander of the 47^th Civil Support Team in Jackson since 2008.

A 2000 MC alumnus with a bachelor’s degree in the administration of justice, he brings a wealth of experience in crisis planning, response and management. McCraney presently serves as the weapons of mass destruction expert and adviser to Mississippi’s adjutant general.

A 1994 graduate of Hinds Community College in Raymond, he’s worked as a police officer at the two-year college and with the Raymond Police Department. Other experience ranges from an officer with the Mississippi Department of Corrections to service as a deputy sheriff with the Hinds County Sheriff’s Department.

McCraney will succeed retiring Department of Public Safety Director Jerald Sherman, who’s stepping down May 31 after 16 years of service. When Sherman began work as a part-time security officer at Mississippi College in 1994, there were only six security employees on board. Since his 2001 promotion to director of security, the department based at Alumni Hall has grown to 28 employees.

McCraney said he hopes to build upon “the great foundation” that Sherman put in place at Mississippi College for more than a decade.

Sherman will be greatly missed, colleagues say.

“I have had the honor of working with Jerald since arriving at MC and have never found anyone more dedicated to his responsibilities, nor concerned for the safety and wellbeing of the campus community,” said Steve Stanford, vice president for administration and government relations. “Jerald has served us very well.”

McCraney, and his wife, Sandra, a registered nurse at the University of Mississippi Medical Center have two sons, Craig, a football player at Hinds Community College, and Haiden, a sophomore at Clinton High.

“We look forward to Steve McCraney joining our Mississippi College community, and welcome his leadership and experience,” Stanford said.

Sherman and his wife, Kay, have two daughters and seven grandchildren. After retirement, the Clinton resident says he will devote more time to his family and his church.