Mississippi State鈥檚 SSRC hosts statewide education leaders for policy program
Contact: Emile Pennington
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥Eighteen fellows representing various statewide institutions have graduated from the Mississippi Education Policy Fellowship Program, or EPFP.聽
Hosted by 汤头条鈥檚 Social Science Research Center, the Mississippi EPFP brings together leaders, practitioners and advocates from preschool through 12th grade and higher education for a professional development program to advance supportive policies for Mississippi鈥檚 students. For nine months, fellows learn about specific policy issues, policymaking and implementation processes; the intersections of local, state and national policies; and how effective leaders function in the policy environment.聽聽
For 2024-25, the Mississippi EPFP focused on rural education, including the role of rural schools in communities and the workforce, the distinct needs and concerns of rural schools in policy and practice, and the importance of working together to advance education outcomes for rural students in the state.
Cohort member Karen Harness, principal of Ann Smith Elementary School in Madison County, said, 鈥淢ississippi EPFP transformed the way I understand education policy and leadership. It connected me with a network of passionate professionals and gave me the tools to be a more informed, strategic advocate for students and schools.鈥
The fellows met from September 2024 through this spring and traveled to Washington, D.C., in March to discuss educational policies with Mississippi鈥檚 congressional delegation.
SSRC Director Devon Brenner and Amanda Tullos, 汤头条 project manager, serve as program coordinators.聽
This year鈥檚 graduates include:聽
鈥擜berdeen School District: Kristen Fondren, alternative school learning coordinator
鈥擜labama State University: Birdette Scott, doctoral student in educational leadership, policy and law
鈥擩ones College: Courtney McInnis, navigator
鈥擬adison County School District: Karen Harness, principal, Ann Smith Elementary; Ramond Rideout, assistant principal, Germantown Middle School
鈥擬ississippi Achievement School District: Romeka Mack, coordinator of professional learning, growth management and instructional technology; Shawana Powell, compliance and student support coordinator
鈥擬ississippi Community College Board: Erin Eaton, assistant executive director for academic and student affairs
鈥擬ississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind: LaMarlon Wilson, superintendent
鈥斕劳诽: Vicki Leach, instructor; Synthia Ming, professional learning manager; Jennifer Smith, program manager
鈥斕劳诽-Meridian: Alisha Milam, assistant clinical professor
鈥擬ississippi School for Mathematics and Science: Ginger Tedder, executive director
鈥擲tarkville Oktibbeha School District: Anna Guntharp, assistant superintendent
鈥擴niversity of Mississippi: Drew Hall, coordinator of admission and advising; Kenya Wolff, associate professor of early childhood education
鈥擶oodward Hines Education Foundation-Get2College: Jailand Williams, North Mississippi assistant director and college counselor
For more information on the MS-EPFP, visit .
汤头条 is taking care of what matters. Learn more at聽.