Art Education Professor Stephanie Busbea Receives National Award

Art education professor Stephanie Busbea

Stephanie Busbea has excelled as a Mississippi College art education professor for more than two decades.

Her skills as an outstanding professor and active leadership roles with the National Art Education Association are getting noticed. Busbea is the new recipient of the Marion Quin Dix Leadership Award from art education professionals based in Alexandria, Virginia.

Coordinator of MC’s art education program, Dr. Busbea, has inspired many students since joining the university’s faculty in 1997. She’s built strong relationships with art teachers across the Magnolia State and beyond. In addition, Busbea successfully organized the approval of the media arts certification program to allow educators to expand their licensed teaching areas. Each year, she works with art education students to create beautiful Christmas ornaments for sale on the Clinton campus.

She’s held numerous leadership roles as well with the Mississippi Art Education Association, including service as president from 2017-2019.

Stephanie “has shaped generations of art education students, teachers and leaders within our state through her hard work and dedication,” says Mississippi art educator Elise Payne.

Payne serves as the Power APAC Visual Art Department chair in Jackson Public Schools and is the MAEA president-elect. She recommended Dr. Busbea for the prestigious award in the Southeast region.

Besides her excellence in the classroom, Busbea tackles administrative duties as the assistant chair of the MC Art Department.

The Mississippian earned her doctorate in art education at the University of North Texas in August 2006. Stephanie earned a master’s in art education at the University of Georgia and her bachelor’s degree in the field from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro in 1989.

Over the years, the Mississippi College professor has stayed involved with NAEA at national and regional levels.

From Associate Provost Debbie Norris to Art Department Chair Randy Miley, MC colleagues say the award from the National Art Education Association is well-deserved. The award will be presented to Busbea at a virtual NAEA conference in March.

The award “recognizes outstanding contributions and service to the profession by a current or past state/province association officer,” Miley said. “We all knew she is a great leader.”

For many years, Stephanie faithfully served her organization and Mississippi with “her valiant efforts at supporting and advocating art education in our state.”

Norris, the Graduate School Dean, applauded her achievements on the Clinton campus and elsewhere in art education leadership circles. “Dr. Busbea’s national recognition is exemplary!”