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Â鶹´«Ã½ 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 Â鶹´«Ã½ Education Policy Fellowship Program, or EPFP. 

Hosted by Â鶹´«Ã½ State University’s Social Science Research Center, the Â鶹´«Ã½ 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 Â鶹´«Ã½â€™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 Â鶹´«Ã½ 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, “Â鶹´«Ã½ 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.â€�

The fellows met from September 2024 through this spring and traveled to Washington, D.C., in March to discuss educational policies with Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s congressional delegation.

SSRC Director Devon Brenner and Amanda Tullos, MSU project 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

—Â鶹´«Ã½ Achievement School District: Romeka Mack, coordinator of professional learning, growth management and instructional technology; Shawana Powell, compliance and student support coordinator

—Â鶹´«Ã½ Community College Board: Erin Eaton, assistant executive director for academic and student affairs

—Â鶹´«Ã½ Schools for the Deaf and Blind: LaMarlon Wilson, superintendent

—Â鶹´«Ã½ State University: Vicki Leach, instructor; Synthia Ming, professional learning manager; Jennifer Smith, program manager

—Â鶹´«Ã½ State University-Meridian: Alisha Milam, assistant clinical professor

—Â鶹´«Ã½ School for Mathematics and Science: Ginger Tedder, executive director

—Starkville Oktibbeha School District: Anna Guntharp, assistant superintendent

—University of Â鶹´«Ã½: Drew Hall, coordinator of admission and advising; Kenya Wolff, associate professor of early childhood education

—Woodward Hines Education Foundation-Get2College: Jailand Williams, North Â鶹´«Ã½ assistant director and college counselor

For more information on the MS-EPFP, visit .

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