FOUNDER & CEO

Dr. Mildred Dalton Hampton Henry’s motto is “Dare to do the Impossible.” She is a mother of five who re-entered school at age 38 as a single parent.

A native of Tamo, Arkansas, she holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Agricultural, Mechanical and Normal (AM&N) College, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, a Master of Science Degree in Counseling Education from Southern Illinois University (SIU) at Edwardsville, and a Doctor of Philosophy Degree from SIU at Carbondale.

Arriving in San Bernardino in September 1983, and concerned about school dropouts, Dr. Henry founded and became president of Provisional Educational Services, Inc. (PESI), a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation, and the executive director of the Provisional Accelerated Learning (PAL) Center.

Daring to do the impossible Dr. Henry became the first African American to become tenured in the College of Education at California State University (CSU), San Bernardino. She has taught at all levels from private nursery school to graduate level studies. In addition to her faculty status at CSU, she has taught as an adjunct professor in California for Southern Illinois University.

Chopping and picking cotton, milking cows, “slopping hogs,” and attending inferior and unequal segregated public school made Dr. Henry keenly and strongly sensitive to cultural variables, past experiences, and how these impact behaviors. Dr. Henry attributes her strong educational interests to an education oriented family, excellent role models, a community extended family, and encouragement from many mentors.

Dr. Henry has received numerous prestigious national, state and local awards, accolades and honors for her advocacy toward drop out prevention, maintaining a strong unyielding stand on providing alternative educational services to an at-risk population, and dedicating her tireless energy and resources for the greater good of bringing people of all walks of life together creating pathways for those less fortunate.

Dr. Henry states, “My pride in my parents’ legacy increases with each level of success achieved by a PAL Center student, and with each ‘oh,’ ‘ah,’ and ‘I can do it.’”

The San Bernardino City Unified School District voted to name a school The Dr. Mildred Dalton Henry Elementary School.