Dr. Alyce Hays is an assistant professor in the College of Health Sciences/Health Policy and Management Department at Jackson State University. She also serves as advisor to the inaugural Bachelor of Science in Public Health Student Association (BSPHSA). Prior to her role at Jackson State University, Dr. Hays served as Bureau Director at the Mississippi State Department of Health managing statewide child and adolescent health screening programs. In this role, she managed a $4.4 million-dollar annual program budget and secured additional grant funding for program implementation and evaluation efforts. Dr. Hays has over 20 combined years of public health, program management and teaching experience. She has worked with non-profit, local and state levels of government including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a public health prevention specialist fellow. Her research interests include: Mental and Chronic Disease Prevention, Health Disparities, Health Education, Organizational Leadership, Health Policy.