M. Yvette Turner was born and raised in Jackson, MS and is a 1982 graduate of Lanier High School. She graduated from Mississippi College with a B.S. in Biology/Chemistry in 1993, a M.S.Ed. in Educational Administration from Jackson State University in 1997, and a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from Jackson State University in 2001. She has over 20 years of a variety of experiences in education at the P-16 levels including teaching, professional development, and administration. She is currently an assistant teacher of educational leadership at Jackson State University in Jackson, MS.