Dr. Mark G. Henderson is a native of Canton, Mississippi. After graduating from Canton High School, he attended Jackson State University and received a Bachelors of Art degree in Speech Communication Studies and Dramatic Art. Mark went on to receive a Masters of Art in Communications and Urban Studies from Michigan State University. Henderson returned to Mississippi and enrolled in the Ph.D. program at The University of Southern Mississippi where he received the doctorate degree in Speech Communication. Currently, Henderson is the Chair of the Department of Speech Communication and Theatre at Jackson State University. Henderson is the Founder/Artistic Director of MADDRAMA, a troupe of Jackson State University performers who tour nationally with an extensive repertoire of original plays and specialized performances that are highly requested.
Dr. Henderson balances his professional time between two areas in which he share in equal passion: Speech Communication and Theater. As a scholar in the area of Speech Communication, Dr. Henderson’s interest area is Interpersonal Communication with an emphasis on Language and Culture. He conducts leadership workshops on Effective Communication in the Workplace, Interpersonal Relationship Building among College Students, and Voice & Diction.
Dr. Henderson devotes much of his time directing and producing theater for MADDRAMA and the Department of Speech and Theatre at JSU. He was most recently commissioned by the Canton, MS Convention & Visitors Bureau & Film Office to direct the world premiere of the stage play Thea’s Turn, which chronicles the life and contribution of African-American educator and nun, Sister Thea Bowman.
Dr. Henderson served as the 31st President of the National Association of Dramatic and Speech Arts. In 2010, Henderson was selected to be part of the inaugural edition of the Who’s Who in Black Mississippi Directory. In 2013, Dr. Henderson was selected as JSU Humanities Teacher of the Year, and was recently the Hometown Hero Award recipient by the Jackson Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. Most recently, Dr. Henderson served as the Fall Commencement Speaker at Jackson State Universtiy.
As a theater director, motivational speaker, and performer, Dr. Henderson stays busy utilizing his skills to 'entertain and educate the masses'. He holds membership in numerous professional groups, to include the, National Communication Association, National Association of Dramatic and Speech Arts, Inc., The Jackson State University National Alumni Association (Madison County Chapter), in which he serves as 2nd Vice-President, and the Rho Xi Lambda chapter (Canton, MS) of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.
HENDERSON’S PHILOSOPY OF LIFE
God doesn’t always choose the qualified; but He always qualifies the chosen!
HENDERSON’S MOTTO
I am who I am because of God and my Mama!
