Alcorn State University will celebrate its Spring 2026 Commencement on Saturday, May 9, welcoming back one of its own—distinguished alumna, accomplished attorney, and National Alumni Association President Pelicia Hall—as the keynote speaker for both ceremonies.
The ceremonies will take place at the Davey L. Whitney HPER Complex on the Lorman campus. The morning ceremony begins at 9 a.m., with the procession at 8:45 a.m., honoring the Golden Class, Graduate Studies, the College of Agriculture & Applied Sciences, and the School of Nursing. The afternoon ceremony follows at 1 p.m., with a 12:45 p.m. procession, celebrating graduates from the College of Arts & Sciences, the School of Business, and the School of Education & Psychology.
Hall’s return to Alcorn for this milestone moment reflects both her professional achievements and her continued commitment to the university community.
A trailblazer in public service, Hall made history in March 2017 when she became the first woman appointed commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Corrections. During her tenure, which lasted until January 2020, she championed rehabilitation and reentry initiatives aimed at creating meaningful second chances for incarcerated individuals.
Her path to leadership was shaped by years of legal and governmental experience. Hall served as chief of staff for the Mississippi Department of Corrections from 2015 to 2017, lead counsel for the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics from 2011 to 2015, and special assistant attorney general in the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office from 2008 to 2011.
Before her work in state government, Hall built a strong legal foundation in private practice at Page, Kruger & Holland in Jackson, Mississippi. There, she handled a broad range of litigation matters, including personal injury, employment discrimination, contract disputes, insurance defense, and product liability cases.
Today, Hall continues to influence policy and innovation as executive vice president and chief regulatory officer for ViaPath Technologies. In this role, she oversees engagement with government and regulatory agencies at every level while guiding strategic policy initiatives. Since joining ViaPath in 2020, she has held several leadership roles, including senior vice president for reentry and senior vice president for government affairs.
With more than 20 years of legal experience, Hall is admitted to practice in both state and federal courts. She began her career as a law clerk for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi and the Hinds County Circuit Court.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Hall remains deeply connected to Alcorn through her leadership and service. She was elected president of the Alcorn State University National Alumni Association in January 2025, further strengthening her role as a champion for alumni engagement and institutional advancement. She also serves as president of the Association of Women Executives in Corrections, a position she assumed in October 2023.
Her commitment to service extends across numerous professional and civic organizations, including the Mississippi Bar Association, National Bar Association, Magnolia Bar Association, Federal Bar Association, American Bar Association, American Correctional Association, National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice, Correctional Leaders Association, and the Rotary Club of Jackson. In 2022, she was appointed to the Veterans Justice Commission for the Council on Criminal Justice. She is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Hall’s contributions have earned widespread recognition. Among her honors are the 2019 Women of Distinction Award from the Girl Scouts of Greater Mississippi, the 2017 Legal Trailblazer Award from the Metro Jackson Black Women Lawyers Association, and designation as a 2018 Leading Alcornite Under 50. She also received the National Alumni Association Professional Achievement Award in 2019 and was recognized as a Top Lobbyist and Influencer by the Lawyers of Color Caucus Issue in 2022. In May 2025, she was inducted into the Alcorn State National Alumni Association Hall of Honor.
Hall earned her Juris Doctor from Mississippi College School of Law and her Bachelor of Arts in political science with a pre-law concentration from Alcorn State University.
A native of Shubuta, Mississippi, she now resides in Madison, Mississippi, where she is a member of Anderson United Methodist Church. She is the daughter of the late Perry G. Everett and Patricia Everett.
As she returns to her alma mater to address the Class of 2026, Hall brings with her a powerful story of leadership, service, and the enduring impact of an Alcorn education—one that is sure to resonate with graduates as they prepare to make their own mark on the world.