Prior to working at the university, Boyce was commissioner of the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning from 2015 to 2018 and president of Holmes Community College.

[1] He served as commissioner of the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning from 2015 to 2018 and president of Holmes Community College.

[2] The University of Mississippi Foundation is responsible for paying Boyce a $500,000-a-year salary supplement.

[5][6] Candidates for the position who were encouraged to apply by Boyce while he was a consultant for the search have also protested the decision to hire him.

[7] Investigative reporter Nick Judin of the Jackson Free Press alleged that the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning, an organization that Boyce chaired immediately prior to being appointed chancellor of the university, "may have been part of a long-planned scheme to install one of their own to lead the University of Mississippi.