Sheila Smith, MMNSF Board Member

Meet Sheila Smith, MMNSF Board Member

March 17, 2025

Sheila Smith worked as a science teacher/central office district administrator in Mississippi public schools for over thirty years.

During that time, she served:

• as the National Science Foundation Project Director for a multi-million dollars mathematics and science grant for the Jackson Public School District.

• as co-principal investigator for a MSP (math and science partnership) grant with Jackson State University.

• on the board of the Mississippi Science Teaching Association and was elected as president of the organization.

• as National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) District VII Director (AR, MS, and LA) and National Biology Teachers Association (NABT)  Regional Coordinator (AL, FL, GA, LA, MS,  and PR).

She has received many awards during her educational career:

• Mississippi Outstanding Biology Teacher

• Hinds County Teacher of the Year

• Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching State Finalist

• Radio Shack National Teacher Award

• AT&T Technology Teacher Award

• Governor’s Fellow Award.

• She has also been awarded two Woodrow Wilson Fellowships to study at Princeton University and Organization of Tropical Studies in Costa Rica, a Fulbright Fellowship to Japan and an National Geographic Fellowship to Kenya.

She has and continues to serve on evaluation committees related to curriculum development, assessments, and funding agencies throughout the country.

Christian Patterson, MMNSF Board Member

Meet Christian Patterson, MMNSF Board Member

February 28, 2025

Christian Patterson is a longtime public affairs and leadership professional from central Mississippi. He currently serves as the 12th Commander, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), headquartered in Vicksburg.

Christian’s previous military assignments include service as Director of Communications, ERDC; Director of Public Affairs, Joint Force Headquarters, Mississippi National Guard; Commander, 102d Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (MPAD); Deputy Director of Public Affairs, Combined Joint Task Force–101, Afghanistan; Deputy Public Affairs Officer, Multinational Brigade (East), Kosovo; Executive and Broadcast Officer, 102d MPAD; and the Broadcast Noncommissioned Officer in Charge, Multinational Division (North), Bosnia.

During his 31-year career, Christian has also supported the U.S. Southern Command in Honduras, the Dominican Republic and in St. Kitts and Nevis.

In 2004, the award-winning broadcaster traveled to Normandy, France, with the 102d MPAD to cover the 60th Anniversary of the D-Day Invasion on Omaha Beach.

Outside of uniform, Christian is very active in community service in the Jackson metropolitan area. He is a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and serves within the Rho Xi Lambda chapter in Canton, Mississippi. The Army veteran’s volunteer work focuses on support to the Mid-South Division of the American Cancer Society and mentorship activities with young Mississippians in Madison, Holmes and Hinds counties.

Christian possesses a Doctor of Philosophy in Communication degree from Liberty University; Master of Business Administration degree from Belhaven University; Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication degree from Louisiana State University and A&M College; Associate in Arts in Radio, TV and Film degree from Hinds Community College; and a Professional Certificate in Strategic Communication and Leadership from Seton Hall University.

In addition, he received his Accreditation in Public Relations + Military Communication credential, October 3, 2012, from the Public Relations Society of America's Universal Accreditation Board in New York.

J.T. Mitchell, MMNSF Board Member

Meet J.T. Mitchell, MMNSF Board Member

October 29, 2024

J.T.’s "must-see" at the Museum: Jefferson’s Ground Sloth!

This is J.T.’s first year as a member of the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science Foundation Board.

A native of Jackson, the Museum holds a special place in J.T.’s heart as he not only grew up visiting but has continued to support the Museum by taking friends and family any chance he gets. He’s thrilled to have another outlet to help MMNS and its mission! 

J.T. serves as news director for SuperTalk Mississippi Media, working with 48 music, talk, and affiliate stations across the state. He oversees the online and on-air product for SuperTalk Mississippi News and hosts a sports podcast through the company.

Previously, J.T. worked as editor-in-chief for Our Mississippi Home, an e-magazine based on the Gulf Coast, and as a multimedia journalist with News Mississippi.

When he’s not behind the mic, J.T. is an avid writer. He’s the author of an educational book called Pocket Grammar: 24 Mistakes You’ll Never Make Again. His articles specifically related to wildlife, conservation, and the outdoors have been published by The Nature Conservancy, AllTurtles.com, and others.

J.T. is a graduate of Sewanee: The University of the South, where he studied English and philosophy while playing for four years on the school’s football team. 

Other community work J.T. has been involved with includes serving on the Ocean Springs Homeless Council and serving on the Greater Belhaven Foundation’s Development & Communications Committee.

Susan Eskridge Frazier, Executive Director, MMNSF

Susan Eskridge Frazier, Executive Director, MMNSF

Susan Frazier joined the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science Foundation as Executive Director in March 2024.

A native of Tupelo, Mississippi, and proud graduate of Millsaps College, Susan has spent almost three decades working with and for nonprofit organizations, including those in higher education, healthcare, social services and the arts.

A trustee of Millsaps College, she has previously served on the boards of the Junior League of Jackson, the United States Pony Club/Deep South Region, the Millsaps Alumni Association and Stewpot Community Services, including a term as board chair. Susan has experience in building nonprofit development, writing and print media, cultivating donor relations, and leading project teams.

Susan is an active member of Galloway United Methodist Church in downtown Jackson.