MSU-M Division of Education

MSU-M Division of Education The Mississippi State University - Meridian Division of Education is located in Meridian, MS.

We had the opportunity to celebrate a very special milestone during our Freeman Scholars Breakfast on graduation morning...
05/26/2026

We had the opportunity to celebrate a very special milestone during our Freeman Scholars Breakfast on graduation morning. 🎓

We proudly recognized the first class of PANTA Scholars through the Freeman PANTA Teacher Assistant Annual Scholarship, generously funded by Mr. Harry Freeman in memory of his wife. The scholarship supports public school teacher assistants as they pursue their education degrees and continue making a difference in the classroom.

Congratulations again to our PANTA Scholars and all of our Division of Education graduates!

05/22/2026

Freeman Scholar Spotlight: Victoria Pigg
Victoria is among the first graduating class of the Bebe Freeman PANTA Teacher’s Assistant Annual Scholarship, generously funded by Harry Freeman in memory of his wife. The scholarship supports public school teacher assistants pursuing an education degree.

Victoria is a teacher assistant at Leake Central Elementary School and, with her newly earned bachelor’s degree in elementary education, will step into a new role as a fourth-grade math teacher there this fall!

“To teach is to change a life forever, and that belief is the reason I chose to become an educator. The Harry Freeman Scholarship has given me the opportunity to continue pursuing my education and preparing to make a meaningful impact in the classroom.”

Congratulations, Victoria! 🍎🎓️

Help us congratulate this EPOD doctoral graduate on successfully defending her capstone and graduating last Wednesday! O...
05/21/2026

Help us congratulate this EPOD doctoral graduate on successfully defending her capstone and graduating last Wednesday!

Originally from Greenwood and Jackson, Mississippi, she chose the EPOD program to deepen her understanding of how educational policy and systems impact student outcomes, particularly for underserved and nontraditional learners. The program aligned closely with her passion for bridging the gap between policy and classroom practice.

Her capstone focused on the misalignment between traditional curriculum pacing structures and the needs of students in accelerated secondary education programs. Through her research, she examined how fixed pacing guides impact students working within compressed learning timelines and developed a modified pacing framework designed to support mastery, instructional equity, and student success through scaffolding, differentiation, and structured feedback.

Following graduation, she plans to continue serving as an educational leader and advocate for equitable instructional practices by supporting curriculum development, mentoring educators, and contributing to policy conversations that improve outcomes for students in alternative and accelerated learning settings.

She shared that the EPOD program was a transformative journey that challenged her to think critically, lead with purpose, and connect research to real-world educational problems.

Help us congratulate one of our very own EPOD doctoral graduates on successfully defending her capstone and graduating l...
05/18/2026

Help us congratulate one of our very own EPOD doctoral graduates on successfully defending her capstone and graduating last Wednesday!! ❤️

Originally from the Meridian area and raised in Clarke County, she spent 18 years serving as Business Manager at Weems Mental Health Center before joining MSU-Meridian. After beginning as a business coordinator, she quickly transitioned into advising — where she discovered her passion for working directly with students and supporting them through their educational journeys.

She shared that she had always wanted to pursue a doctoral degree, but the EPOD program was finally the perfect fit. The program aligned closely with her work in advising and student services, and she especially valued the opportunity to learn alongside professionals from K-12, community colleges, universities, and retirees who brought valuable insight and experience to the cohort.

Her capstone focused on adult learners and the decision-making factors they consider when returning to school, particularly in relation to earning credit for prior learning and recognizing professional experience and previously earned credentials.

Following graduation, she plans to continue serving students through advising and student services while also advocating for adult learners as they navigate returning to higher education after extended time away from college.

Just a quick reminder that summer applications are due tomorrow! We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. If you h...
05/14/2026

Just a quick reminder that summer applications are due tomorrow! We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. If you have any questions or need assistance with the application process, please don’t hesitate to reach out! Click the link below to apply.

https://www.grad.msstate.edu/apply

05/13/2026

Happy Graduation Day to our Division of Education graduates! 🎓

This year, seven students received the Freeman Scholarship, made possible through the generosity of Mr. Harry Freeman. Today, we are sharing a video of Ursy and Martin, an aunt and niece duo who graduated through the Professional Advancement Network for Teachers & Administrators (PANTA) program.

PANTA supports teacher assistants and administrators as they work toward earning their degrees and advancing their careers in education.

Ursy and Martin credit much of their success to the Freeman Scholars program, a scholarship opportunity started by Mr. Harry Freeman.

We celebrate all of our graduates and the hard work, dedication, and impact they will continue to make in education. Congratulations!

Help us congratulate this EPOD doctoral student on successfully defending his capstone!Originally from Pearl, Mississipp...
05/12/2026

Help us congratulate this EPOD doctoral student on successfully defending his capstone!

Originally from Pearl, Mississippi, he attended Pearl Public Schools from first through twelfth grade before beginning a career focused on educational policy and accountability.

He chose the EPOD program because of its strong connection to state and federal education policy, particularly in the areas of assessment and school accountability systems. The program aligned closely with both his professional responsibilities and long-term career goals.

His capstone focused on a policy analysis of Mississippi’s federally defined public school accountability system under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Through this work, he examined how federal policy impacts accountability practices at the state level and contributed to important conversations surrounding school performance and educational policy.

Following graduation, he will continue serving at the Mississippi Department of Education as the Associate State Superintendent of District and School Performance, where he remains committed to strengthening educational outcomes across Mississippi.

He shared that one of the most valuable aspects of the EPOD program was its flexibility, allowing him to balance a demanding professional career while continuing to grow academically and professionally.

Congratulations to everyone who attended MSU-Meridian's Educational Innovation and Research Summit on Friday, sponsored ...
05/11/2026

Congratulations to everyone who attended MSU-Meridian's Educational Innovation and Research Summit on Friday, sponsored by the Division of Education.
This was a great event to introduce great minds and great ideas for the future of education. Thank you to Dr. Steven Shadwick, Ed.D., our keynote speaker, who shared "Measuring what matters: A policy analysis of statewide accountability systems through the lens of college and career readiness."
We're also particularly proud of our Educational Policy & Organizational Design students, who successfully defended their capstone projects and will graduate on Wednesday!
They are:
Angela White - Closing the implementation gap: a research-based playbook for high-quality teacher mentoring programs
Kathi Wilson - Reducing the equitable access to excellent educators gap
Christopher Misun - Creative Media Production Curriculum Design, Development, and Implementation for Undergraduate Programs
Alan Burrow - Evaluation of Mississippi’s Policy to Identify and Exit Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI) and Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI) Schools
Kristi Dearing - From barriers to opportunities: Adult learner decision factors and an implementation plan for the awarding of credit for prior learning
Sheri Anders - Enhancing professional development opportunities for Mississippi early childhood education technology students
Anthony 'Herb' Herbert - A Research-Informed Wellness Guide for Creating a Culture of Educator Wellness and Retention in Schools
Crystal Tyson - Bridging the Gap: Implementing a Modified Pacing Guide for Students 2-3 Grade Levels Behind in an Accelerated Program
Ty Vanderford - A Qualitative Content Analysis of Research on Principal Internship and Residency Design

Congratulations, everyone!

Help us congratulate this EPOD doctoral graduate on successfully defending her capstone! From Edinburg, Mississippi, she...
05/06/2026

Help us congratulate this EPOD doctoral graduate on successfully defending her capstone!

From Edinburg, Mississippi, she chose the EPOD program to better understand the “how” and “why” behind educational policy after growing up in a family of Mississippi educational leaders. Her goal was to gain the skills needed to interpret, implement, and analyze the impact policy has on educational organizations.

Her capstone focused on teacher turnover and the time demands administrators face when implementing the Mississippi Teacher Professional Growth System (TPGS). Through her research, she developed a website designed to help administrators better analyze time resources and demands so they can more effectively support teachers.

After graduation, she hopes to continue making a positive impact on education while allowing God to guide her professional journey and future plans. She shared that her EPOD experience was truly a blessing and credited the faculty for helping her grow tremendously throughout the program.

Happy Maroon Friday!Help us congratulate this EPOD doctoral student on successfully defending his capstone!From Ashland,...
05/01/2026

Happy Maroon Friday!

Help us congratulate this EPOD doctoral student on successfully defending his capstone!

From Ashland, Wisconsin, he shares how the EPOD program gave him the opportunity to expand his knowledge in both curriculum design and the role educational policy plays in developing new programs in higher education. He found the program’s delivery and faculty to be a great fit, making the experience both meaningful and practical.

His capstone focused on identifying best practices in instructional and learning methods for developing a creative media production curriculum in higher education. As a result of his research, a new Creative Media Production concentration will be offered through the Department of Communication, Media & Theatre. As Associate Department Head and an Instructor II, he led the curriculum development process and will begin teaching in the program in fall 2026.

He credits the support of the administration, faculty, his cohort, and especially his committee for helping make the doctoral journey manageable and successful. His advice to future candidates: pre-research your topics and projects—coming into the program with a clear mandate makes the experience even more meaningful.

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1000 Highway 19 N
Meridian, MS
39307

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