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Mississippi State’s SSRC hosts statewide education leaders for policy program

Contact: Emile Pennington

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Eighteen fellows representing various statewide institutions have graduated from the Mississippi Education Policy Fellowship Program, or EPFP. 

Hosted by Â鶹´«Ã½AV’s 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’s 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.  

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, “Mississippi 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.�

The fellows met from September 2024 through this spring and traveled to Washington, D.C., in March to discuss educational policies with Mississippi’s congressional delegation.

SSRC Director Devon Brenner and Amanda Tullos, Â鶹´«Ã½AVproject manager, serve as program coordinators. 

This year’s graduates include: 

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

—Alabama State University: Birdette Scott, doctoral student in educational leadership, policy and law

—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

—Â鶹´«Ã½AV: Vicki Leach, instructor; Synthia Ming, professional learning manager; Jennifer Smith, program manager

—Â鶹´«Ã½AV-Meridian: Alisha Milam, assistant clinical professor

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

—Starkville Oktibbeha School District: Anna Guntharp, assistant superintendent

—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

For more information on the MS-EPFP, visit .

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