MSU SSRC announces new Mississippi Education Policy Fellows

Contact: Emile Pennington

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Twenty educators from across the state are selections for the Mississippi Education policy Fellowship Program’s 25th cohort

MS EPFP Fellows serve as part of a national initiative from the Institute for Educational Leadership—hosted through the Rural Education Research and Initiatives Lab at Mississippi State University’s Social Science Research Center.

“This program is valuable in building relationships and connecting leaders across Mississippi and K12 through post-secondary organizations, as well as understanding the legislative, policy and appropriation process,” said SSRC Project Manager Amanda Tullos. “To our knowledge, no other program in the state brings together such a diverse range of individuals to learn and network together.”

The group will focus specifically on learning about rural schools’ role in its communities and the workforce, as well as their specific needs and concerns in policy and practice. In addition to participating in networking, leadership and policy training activities, fellows will travel to Washington, D.C. this spring to learn about federal policy issues with peers from around the country and meet with their elected representatives to discuss their education priorities.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to learn more about the development of education policy,” said Anna Guntharp, cohort member and assistant superintendent with the Starkville Oktibbeha School District. “As a federal programs administrator, this gives me a unique insight into the how and why behind so many of the policies that govern the work I do every day.”

The 2024- 25 MEPFP cohort includes:

—Aberdeen School District: Kristen Fondren, alternative school learning coordinator

—Alabama State University: Birdette Scott, Ph.D. student in Educational Leadership, Policy and Law

—Jackson State University: La’Keshia Opara-Nadi, assistant professor

—Jones College: Courtney McInnis, navigator

—Madison County School District: Karen Harness, principal, Ann Smith Elementary; Ramond Rideout, assistant principal, Germantown Middle School

—Mississippi Achievement School District: Romeka Mack, coordinator of professional learning, growth management and instructional technology; Shawana Powell, compliance and student support coordinator

—Mississippi Community College Board: Erin Eaton, assistant executive director for academic and student affairs

—Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind: LaMarlon Wilson, superintendent

—Mississippi State University: Vicki Leach, instructor; Bradley Long, project manager; Synthia Ming, professional learning manager; Jenifer Smith, program manager

—Mississippi State University-Meridian: Alisha Milam, assistant clinical professor

—Starkville Oktibbeha School District: Anna Guntharp, assistant superintendent

—Episcopal Church of the Resurrection: Sarah Walker, interim lay chaplain

—Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science: Ginger Tedder, executive director

—University of Mississippi: Drew Hall, coordinator of admission and advising; Kenya Wolff, associate professor of early childhood education

—Woodward Hines Education Foundation-Get2College: Jailand Williams, North Mississippi assistant director and college counselor

To learn more about the program, visit reri.ssrc.msstate.edu/home/mississippi-education-policy-fellowship-program.

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