Contact: Emile Pennington
STARKVILLE, Miss.—Thirteen educators, administrators and professionals across the state have been selected for this year’s Mississippi Education Policy Fellowship, hosted through Mississippi State University’s Social Science Research Center and its Rural Education Research and Initiatives Lab.
“This program is valuable in building relationships and connecting leaders across Mississippi and K-12 through post-secondary organizations, as well as helping them understand the legislative, policy and appropriation process,” said Mississippi Education Policy Fellowship Coordinator Dana Franz. “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 understanding the role of rural schools in their communities and the workforce, as well as their specific needs and concerns in policy and practice. In addition to hearing from education leaders across the state and learning more about state policy processes, fellows will travel to Washington, D.C., in spring 2026 to learn about federal policy issues and meet with elected officials.
“The Mississippi Education Policy Fellowship aligns closely with both my professional work and my academic journey. My position has focused on strengthening early childhood education and family well-being through outreach, program development and grant-funded initiatives,” said Sarah Moody, cohort member and publications manager for MSU Extension’s Early Childhood Programs. “This fellowship offers the chance to connect that practical experience with a deeper understanding of education policy and advocacy.”
The 2025-26 cohort includes:
—Jackson Public Schools, Casey Elementary School: Diane Smith, instructional interventionist
—Madison Crossing Elementary School: Debra Houghton, principal
—Mississippi University for Women: Kelly Ballard, Department of Education chair
—Mississippi State University: Chance Carden, International Institute project manager; Kevin Lorson, Department of Kinesiology associate professor of physical education; Mary Hannah Mills, Extension project manager; Sarah Moody, Extension publications manager; Shamaria Mosley, Extension assessment coordinator
—University of Mississippi: Katie Naron, lecturer of teacher education; Erin Parker, Department of Higher Education graduate research assistant; Jared Ramos, Office of Pre-College Programs success coach
—Woodward Hines Education Foundation: Endaisia Love, associate director for evaluation and learning
—Yazoo County School District: Emily Harris, teacher
For more information on the Mississippi Education Policy Fellowship, visit https://reri.ssrc.msstate.edu/.
Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters. Learn more at www.msstate.edu.