Southern Miss’ Cantrell Honored by Women in Higher Education Mississippi Network

Thu, 03/27/2025 - 09:58am | By: Dr. David Tisdale

A key member of The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Division of Student Affairs administrative team has earned a statewide award recognizing her exceptional leadership and commitment to advancing women in higher education.

Dr. Sirena Cantrell, dean of students and associate vice president for student affairs, is this year’s recipient of the Women in Higher Education Mississippi Network (WHEMN) Leadership Award. She was presented with the award during the WHEMN 2025 Conference, held Feb. 27-28 at the University of Mississippi. WHEMN’s mission is to identify, develop, advance and support women in higher education, particularly in Mississippi.

“The leadership award bestowed upon Dr. Cantrell signifies the recognition of her excellent leadership qualities, her ability to inspire others, and her commitment to making a significant difference at Southern Miss,” said Jennifer Simmons, co-chair of the WHEMN Leadership Award committee in a letter to Southern Miss President Dr. Joe Paul. “This award not only highlights her professional achievements but may also inspire other faculty and staff members, encouraging them to strive for excellence.”

Before joining USM’s Division of Student Affairs in 2019, Cantrell served in multiple roles in higher education student affairs administration, including as dean of students and Title IX coordinator at Mississippi University for Women. 

“Dr. Cantrell pours her heart and soul into her work,” said Dr. Kristi Motter, Southern Miss vice president for student affairs and enrollment management. “Southern Miss students are our reason for being–our ‘why.’ She recognizes that and works diligently to help them succeed.” 

Cantrell holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in psychology from Millsaps College and master’s and doctoral degrees in counselor education from Mississippi State University.

“It’s a privilege to be recognized for my dedication and contributions at Southern Miss and beyond,” Cantrell said. “However, I want to emphasize that this achievement is the result of the collective efforts of my incredible team and the countless individuals who have supported and inspired me throughout this journey. This recognition serves as a powerful reminder for me–to continue striving to make a lasting, positive impact on the students and staff I have the privilege of working with every day.”