桃花直播 SSRC announces new 桃花直播 Education Policy Fellows
Contact: Emile Pennington
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擳wenty educators from across the state are selections for the 桃花直播 Education policy Fellowship Program鈥檚 25th cohort
MS EPFP Fellows serve as part of a national initiative from the Institute for Educational Leadership鈥攈osted through the Rural Education Research and Initiatives Lab at 桃花直播 State University鈥檚 Social Science Research Center.
鈥淭his program is valuable in building relationships and connecting leaders across 桃花直播 and K12 through post-secondary organizations, as well as understanding the legislative, policy and appropriation process,鈥 said SSRC Project Manager Amanda Tullos. 鈥淭o our knowledge, no other program in the state brings together such a diverse range of individuals to learn and network together.鈥
The group will focus specifically on learning about rural schools鈥 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.
鈥淚 am grateful for the opportunity to learn more about the development of education policy,鈥 said Anna Guntharp, cohort member and assistant superintendent with the Starkville Oktibbeha School District. 鈥淎s 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.鈥
The 2024- 25 MEPFP cohort includes:
鈥擜berdeen School District: Kristen Fondren, alternative school learning coordinator
鈥擜labama State University: Birdette Scott, Ph.D. student in Educational Leadership, Policy and Law
鈥擩ackson State University: La鈥橩eshia Opara-Nadi, assistant professor
鈥擩ones College: Courtney McInnis, navigator
鈥擬adison County School District: Karen Harness, principal, Ann Smith Elementary; Ramond Rideout, assistant principal, Germantown Middle School
鈥斕一ㄖ辈 Achievement School District: Romeka Mack, coordinator of professional learning, growth management and instructional technology; Shawana Powell, compliance and student support coordinator
鈥斕一ㄖ辈 Community College Board: Erin Eaton, assistant executive director for academic and student affairs
鈥斕一ㄖ辈 Schools for the Deaf and Blind: LaMarlon Wilson, superintendent
鈥斕一ㄖ辈 State University: Vicki Leach, instructor; Bradley Long, project manager; Synthia Ming, professional learning manager; Jenifer Smith, program manager
鈥斕一ㄖ辈 State University-Meridian: Alisha Milam, assistant clinical professor
鈥擲tarkville Oktibbeha School District: Anna Guntharp, assistant superintendent
鈥擡piscopal Church of the Resurrection: Sarah Walker, interim lay chaplain
鈥斕一ㄖ辈 School for Mathematics and Science: Ginger Tedder, executive director
鈥擴niversity of 桃花直播: Drew Hall, coordinator of admission and advising; Kenya Wolff, associate professor of early childhood education
鈥擶oodward Hines Education Foundation-Get2College: Jailand Williams, North 桃花直播 assistant director and college counselor
To learn more about the program, visit .
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