MS PFP| Meeting Two Planning & Logistical Information

Mississippi PFP Fellows,

It was so great to meet everyone and get started at the first meeting. We look forward to seeing everyone again as we continue the 2025-26 cohort of the Mississippi Policy Fellows Program. The October meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 7th. The agenda will feature (1) a presidents' panel discussion on leadership and policy, (2) Mississippi legislative outlook & priorities presentations, and (4) team building and advocacy inventory activities featuring the program's Fellows. Our focus for the day will be on state-level policy and legislation affecting your institutions. 

Please find below specific calls to action and planning information in advance of the second meeting.

Part One - - Calls to Action

-- Personal & Professional Announcements: This is your first opportunity to update the cohort on milestones and events happening in your personal lives, professional lives, and important events taking place at your institutions. If you would like to share with the cohort this month, please respond to this email. If you have pictures or media, please forward it to me so that I can put it in the PowerPoint slide deck. 

Note & polite reminder: We know that it may be hard to be the first to share. I ask you to not hesitate! The updates section of our agendas are informal and should be fun and celebratory. No update is too big nor are they too small. Finally, the earlier you can get me your updates, the better! Please try to avoid sending them in the night before the meeting if possible. 

-- Policy & Legislation: With the help of state leaders and experts, we will (1) begin understanding the policy consequences of previous legislative cycles and (2) begin identifying policy and legislative priorities for our future visit to the Mississippi state capitol. In advance of our discussion on policy and legislation, please consider what general education policies and/or pieces of legislation interest you, have been identified by your institutions as immediate priorities, and/or have been identified as of importance to your institution's leaders as they plan for the upcoming legislative session. 

-- Questions: Please direct any questions you have in advance of the second meeting to Tyson Elbert via email, phone, or text. 

Part Two - - Planning & Logistical Information

-- Meeting Date: The second meeting of the Mississippi Policy Fellows Program (PFP) will be held on Tuesday, October 7th, 2025.

-- Meeting Beginning & Ending Times: The meeting will begin at 10:00 am and conclude no later than 4:00 pm. Please make sure to plan accordingly and arrive in advance of 10:00 am.

-- Meeting Location: The meeting will take place at the Mississippi Community College Board (MCCB) located at 3825 Ridgewood Road, Jackson, MS 39211. We will be meeting in the BoardRoom located on the Fifth Floor.

-- Parking Instructions: Please park in the parking lots on the north and south sides of the building. Parking is available at no cost. 

-- Attendance: In-person attendance is mandatory.

-- Meals & Refreshments: Lunch and refreshments will be provided at the meeting. Please consider bringing personal snacks and drinks as needed. 

-- Meeting Dress: PFP meetings are a mixture of speakers, panel discussions, and group activities. Outside of group work, you’ll be sitting for most agenda items. We recommend business casual dress with a priority given to comfort. The thermometer is out of our control; please consider bringing layers if you get hot or cold easily. 

-- Name Badges: Bring and wear your name badges so that we can continue the process of learning everyone’s name, position, and institution. 

Again, if you have questions as the second meeting date approaches, please don’t hesitate to call or text me at (202) 550-4868. You may also email me at tyson@advocacybuild.com. 

Sincerely,

Tyson Elbert

Co-Director, Mississippi Policy Fellows Program (PFP)