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Northwest Announces Maria D. Wasson New Executive Director of Institutional Advancement

by Sarah Smith-Hutchinson

Senatobia, MS (11/04/2026) — Northwest Mississippi Community College announced its newest executive director of Institutional Advancement as Maria D. Wasson of Hernando. She comes to Northwest after a successful career in Fortune 500 companies and non-profits with organizations including the Hershey Chocolate Company, ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the Salvation Army Memphis & Mid-South.

"I am especially excited to join the Northwest family during such a historic time," said Wasson. "As the college celebrates its centennial, I look forward to strengthening community partnerships, creating meaningful opportunities for students, and helping build a legacy for generations to come. I am honored to join a team dedicated to positively transforming lives through education and look forward to being part of the next chapter in Northwest's story."

With experience in everything from sales to non-profit work, she has had a career with results that speak for themselves. While working in corporate sales, she managed a $20 million plus territory with annual consecutive growth around 3% to 11% during her time as a district sales executive for the Hershey Chocolate Company. While at the Salvation Army she has spearheaded programs like the Red Kettle Campaign, which generated over $1 million in approximately three months, delivering the campaign's highest growth in five years. She has worked in collaboration with other companies, and while working as regional field development officer for the Tennessee Baptist Children's Home, she increased giving to the Mother's Day campaign by 11% to 22% annually through her work with presentations, digital outreach and community engagements.

"Maria brings exactly the kind of experience and heart we were looking for in this role," said Vice President of Institutional Affairs Dr. Brad Smith. "Her track record speaks for itself, from growing a multimillion-dollar sales territory to leading campaigns that reached record giving levels. But what impressed us most is her passion for people and her belief in the power of community. As Northwest begins its second century, Maria is the right person to build the relationships and partnerships that will open doors for our students for years to come."

During her accomplished career of over 30 years, she has received accolades for her work including the Hershey Chocolate Company's President's Cup Winner in 1991 and 2001, the Salvation Army 2-25 Give with Joy Red Kettle Campaign Highest Percent of Donors Who Give Online, Highest Average Gift Size, and Highest Red Kettle Totals in Kentucky & Tennessee Division.

Wasson also has become an independently published author. Her first book was the biblically based "A Rose with Broken Thorns" which is about her mother, Esperanza, who was a woman with a dream of living in America that quickly turned sinister. It was through this hardship that she learned from her mother about hard work, leaning on God, and persevering. She has also written two other books-- one about the beauty of raising a child with autism, "Marvel in your Autistic Eyes: Character Lessons from my Son" and "Potter's Hand Poetry."

Wasson is excited to take on this new role at Northwest as her family begins a new chapter --her daughter Mia Faith starting as a senior at Hernando High School and her son Ethan recently moving into Senatobia's Baddour Center.

Outside of work, Wasson enjoys spending time with her husband Mark and their children. She actively is involved with mission work at Santa Fe Mission in Guatemala and Central America. Wasson takes great pride in her Guatemalan heritage and said that it continues to inspire her.

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Maria D. Wasson photo by Carly Fox-Mayo

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