91传媒-led educational policy program graduates 15 fellows
Contact: Emile Pennington
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擣ifteen fellows representing various statewide institutions graduated from the Mississippi Education Policy Fellowship Program, hosted by Mississippi State鈥檚 Social Science Research Center, this spring.
The Mississippi EPFP is part of a national cohort coordinated by the Institute for Educational Leadership in Washington, D.C. The program brings together P-12 and higher education leaders, practitioners and advocates for professional development. Mississippi鈥檚 fellows, led by program coordinators Devon Brenner and Amanda Tullos, focus on working together to advance equitable policies for Magnolia State students. Over 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
鈥淓PFP connected me with professionals who have been instrumental聽in helping me grow as an administrator. It was hands down the best professional development experience and learning experience I have had as an administrator,鈥 said Robbi Cooper, West Lauderdale Middle School assistant principal.
For the 2023-24 program year, the Mississippi EPFP focused on rural education, including the role of rural schools in communities and the workforce, the unique needs and concerns of rural schools in policy and practice, and the importance of working together to advance education outcomes for rural students in Mississippi.
The fellows met from September to April to learn about statewide issues and policy and traveled to Washington, D.C., in March to discuss educational policies with Mississippi鈥檚 congressional delegation. Specifically, the fellows met with U.S. Reps. Michael Guest and Bennie Thompson.
鈥淏eing an EPFP Fellow afforded me the opportunity to learn about how policies are created and put into place.聽 By getting a look at the political side of education, it not only helped me see how the laws that impact education are created but also how they can be changed and influenced,鈥 said Lori Nail, AccelerateMS youth programs manager.
This year鈥檚 graduates include:
鈥擲arah J. Bailey, Mississippi Achievement School District executive director of innovation and transformation
鈥擭icole Cockrell, Madison County Schools principal
鈥擬onica L. Coleman, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation program officer
鈥擱obbi Cooper, West Lauderdale Middle School assistant principal
鈥擱oger Davis Jr., University of Mississippi Division of Diversity and Community Engagement inclusive excellence and engagement director
鈥擟harles Johnson, Cleveland School District deputy superintendent
鈥擫aMareshia Johnson, 91传媒-Meridian Division of Education instructor
鈥擫ori Nail, AccelerateMS youth programs manager
鈥擬yrick Nicks, 91传媒-Meridian Division of Education assistant clinical professor
鈥擝randi Ratliff, Mississippi Community College Board professional development specialist
鈥擟hristina Reynolds, 91传媒 Office of Research and Economic Development director of partnership and education liaison
鈥擪aterina Sergi, 91传媒 Social Science Research Center assistant research professor
鈥擜shleen Williams, University of Mississippi instructional assistant professor
鈥擵ernita Wilson, Starkville Oktibbeha School District assistant superintendent
鈥擜manda Winburn, University of Mississippi associate professor
For more information on the Mississippi EPFP, visit reri.ssrc.msstate.edu or email聽Tullos at amanda.tullos@msstate.edu.
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