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Association of Office Professionals

Association of Office Professionals

AOP Logo

Mission

The USM Association of Office Professionals is dedicated to providing opportunities for communication and relationship-building among staff members of the university.

We facilitate “C-P-R” for the staff members of The University of Southern Mississippi:

C = Community Service
P = Professional Development
R = Relationship-Building

Community Service Professional Development Relationship Building

 

2025-2026 Board Members

Professional Photo for Gayle Sollfrank

 

 

Gayle Sollfrank

President
Gayle.SollfrankFREEMississippi

 

Photo of Aretas Squire

 
 
Aretas Squire

President-Elect
Aretas.ColemanFREEMississippi

Photo of Mary Beth Simmons

 
 
Mary Beth Simmons

Vice President
Mary.E.SimmonsFREEMississippi

Photo of Cindy Walker

 

 

Cindy Walker

Treasurer
Cynthia.WalkerFREEMississippi

Photo of Vonetta Jordan

 
 
Vonetta Jordan Jones

Secretary
Vonetta.JordanFREEMississippi

Photo of Geneal Washam

 

 

Geneal Washam

Immediate Past-President
Geneal.WashamFREEMississippi

Membership

Membership is open to all USM support staff. Associate membership is open to the supervisors of USM support staff, faculty, and administrators. The membership year runs from July 1 to June 30.

Membership benefits include:

  • Professional Development
  • Networking
  • Communications
  • Community Service Opportunities
  • Career Progression
  • Collaboration
  • Servant Leadership
  • Membership Appreciation Events

Impact your career. Impact our community. Impact your life.

 
Meetings

Meetings are held via Teams; click here for our meeting schedule. For questions concerning our meeting schedule, contact AOP Secretary Vonetta%20Jordan%20Jones.

 
Affiliations

USM AOP is affiliated with the Mississippi Association of Education Office Professionals (MAEOP) and the National Association of Educational Office Professionals (NAEOP).

 
Awards

AOP recognizes outstanding office professionals and administrators with our awards program, conducted annually in the spring and administered by our Affiliations Committee. Visit our Committees Page to learn more.

 
By-Laws

Click here to view our By-Laws.

 
Communications

Visit our Communications page for our latest organization news, messages from the president, previous meeting notes, newsletters, and AOP In The News.

 
Community Service

AOP is proud to support our neighbors through community service. Visit our Community Service page to learn more about ways we help – and how you can get involved.

 
Professional Standards Program (PSP)

The Professional Standards Program allows staff members to enhance their professional competencies through academic programs, conferences, and institutes. As a member of The National Association of Educational Office Professionals (NAEOP), individuals can participate in the Professional Standards Program to obtain nationally recognized certificates. In addition, these certificates are accepted for The University of Southern Mississippi’s education enhancement policy per section 5.9 of the employee handbook.

Click here to learn more about PSP.

 

AOP Webmaster:
Joyce Powell
Joyce.PowellFREEMississippi
(228) 214-3297

 

Contact Us

Association of Office Professionals
118 College Drive #5181 Hattiesburg, MS 39406

Hattiesburg Campus

Campus Map

Email
Mary%20Beth%20Simmons

Phone
601-266-4432