Coahoma Community College News May 29, 2014 CCC's Newson, Richards Complete Educational Policy Fellowship Program Two members of Coahoma Community College's faculty and staff were among a group of professionals to complete a distinguished program committed to involving the broader community with public education to support the learning and development of young people. CCC's Computer Servicing technology Instructor Melvin Newson and MSEP Director of Federal Programs Letha Richards recently completed the Mississippi Educational Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP), a professional development program that provides emerging leaders in education and related fields with the knowledge and networks to advance the core issues of education policy. EPFP's mission is to develop leaders in public and private organizations who have the capacity to create and implement sound public policy to improve outcomes for students. The program has served as a critical resource for individuals, organizations, and the state to increase knowledge about education policy and linkages between policy and practice. Over a nine-month commitment, Newson and Richards joined other fellows from across the state as they concentrated on three program strands: public policy, leadership, and professional networking while remaining in their full-time positions and using their work environment as the context for examining important leadership and policy issues in Mississippi. The program included monthly meetings that provided a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach to learning, a national forum that convened fellows from across the nation as well as other opportunities to experience and reflect on education policy. Fellows also heard and discussed education policy with respected policymakers from across the state and nation, becoming better-informed, more skillful advocates for sound public policy. As EPFP alumni, Newson and Richards both will continue to work in a variety of sectors from which they'll impact education policy in hopes of creating real change. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Register now http://www.hbculibraries.org/html/2014meeting-form.html for the October 26-28, 2014 HBCU Library Alliance 6th Membership Meeting in Atlanta GA!