By Ebonee Johnikin, Communications Director, Foundation for the Mid South
Preparing young people for life beyond high school requires more than information. It requires commitment. It requires trust. And most of all, it requires people who consistently show up with the belief that every student deserves a chance to succeed.
That belief guided the Foundation for the Mid South’s contributions to the Mississippi Delta GEAR UP Association. In collaboration with school leaders, educators, and families, the organization helped expand opportunity, strengthen systems, and build futures filled with possibility.
Throughout the partnership, staff provided steady guidance, supported strategic planning, and helped deliver on the promise of college and career readiness. Through shared vision and consistent coordination, program partners brought to life initiatives that touched thousands of lives and laid the groundwork for long-term educational success.
The work accomplished together has created lasting momentum, and the relationships built will continue shaping student success across the region.
Program Overview and Accomplishments
With a focus on alignment, consistency, and student-centered service, GEAR UP districts, supported by the Foundation for the Mid South’s education team, achieved several key milestones during the 2024–2025 year:
- 20,087 total service hours completed
- 95% of students reached
- 2,704 ninth and tenth-grade students supported
- 100% of partner schools served
- 100% of district work plans completed and pending final approval
To help improve student access to Tutor.com, a regional awareness campaign was coordinated across all partner districts. Flyers, morning announcements, and parent communications were shared widely, and school leaders received support to address data entry and access barriers.
Strengthening Systems that Serve Students
One of the Foundation’s most meaningful contributions involved guiding the development and oversight of district workplans—blueprints that helped shape local GEAR UP programming. By working closely with administrators, the team helped clarify goals and streamline planning processes across schools.
Advisory Council meetings, which gathered superintendents, counselors, and community partners, were also facilitated throughout the year. These sessions created space for districts to stay focused, share insights, and ensure programming remained aligned with both grant priorities and student needs.
“What I valued most was the collaborative approach. The Foundation worked with us, not above us. That kind of teamwork is undefeated.”
– John Perry, Coordinator of College and Career Readiness and Counseling Support, Holmes County Consolidated School District“The Foundation listens. They don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. They tailor support to the unique needs of each school and community.”
– Lamella Scott, GEAR UP Coordinator
Elevating Summer Learning Experiences
Summer enrichment camps offered students from all ten GEAR UP districts immersive, hands-on opportunities to explore their interests and develop new skills. These included:
- A Leadership Camp focused on personal growth and self-awareness
- An Entrepreneurship Camp introducing innovation and small business
- A STEM and STEAM Camp designed to spark curiosity through science and technology
The Foundation’s staff played an integral role in helping organize and facilitate these experiences in coordination with district partners, ensuring broad participation and meaningful student engagement.
Supporting Student Growth, Step by Step
Throughout the year, the Foundation for the Mid South collaborated with district teams to coordinate a range of student- and family-facing initiatives. These included:
- ACT and academic preparation sessions
- FAFSA and financial aid workshops
- Leadership activities and student goal-setting
- Parent engagement events
- Career and college exploration programming
These efforts were shaped to meet the unique context of each district and to support students in building both confidence and clarity about their futures.
Transformation in Holmes County
In Holmes County Consolidated School District, GEAR UP programming helped support a broader academic turnaround. Once rated an “F,” the district is now a “B,” with five out of seven schools showing significant gains.
“I would say the Foundation for the Mid South has been a partner in our transformation,” said Jennifer Wilson, Superintendent of Holmes County Consolidated School District. “The Foundation helped us with professional development, workforce development, and perhaps most importantly, strategic planning. I don’t believe we would’ve achieved this level of success as quickly without them.”
“By building a college-bound culture and giving students real opportunities to see postsecondary success as attainable, this work created lasting impact and supported students in pursuing it.”
– John Perry
Rising to the Moment
When data inconsistencies and service documentation concerns emerged in early 2025, a 30-Day Action Plan was launched to improve tracking and ensure accuracy. As a result, school service coverage rose from 53% to 84%, and a new tracking model, developed by the team, was later adopted by Delta State University for broader use.
Support was also provided to ensure financial documentation was correctly submitted, and hands-on assistance helped restore student access to Tutor.com where needed.
Reflections from the Field
Students themselves shared how these experiences shaped their thinking:
“GEAR UP helps to prepare students for college and life. I loved the College and Career Fair, and I want to see more hands-on programs and college tours.”
– Keynaiah Norman, North Bolivar Consolidated School District
“The Jackson State tour was my favorite. We ate lunch in the student cafeteria and saw the Greek organizations step.”
– Pasario Self, Cleveland Central High School
“I learned what I need for college, from financial aid to which schools offer the programs I’m interested in. I would love more internships and job shadowing, too.”
– McKinley Edwards, Yazoo City High School
“The best part of this job is seeing something click for a student,” said Carlos Rice, GEAR UP Coordinator. “When they start to believe in what’s possible for them, that’s everything.”
A Lasting Legacy
“One big shift I’ve noticed is how students start asking more questions, not just about classwork, but about college, careers, and what’s next,” said Lamella Scott. “It’s not just academic growth. It’s mindset growth.”
The systems strengthened, the relationships built, and the belief instilled in students will carry forward. Schools are better positioned, and students are stepping into their futures with greater awareness and support.
Looking Forward with Purpose
“I hope students walk away from GEAR UP knowing they have options. Their zip code doesn’t define their future,” said Lamella Scott. “That belief can change everything.”
“We didn’t just show up to check boxes. We showed up to show students what’s possible and to remind them that their dreams matter,” added Carlos Rice.
The Foundation for the Mid South remains committed to expanding opportunity, strengthening communities, and investing in every learner’s potential. While the scope of work may shift, the impact continues, and so does the belief that drives it.
Because building futures isn’t just what the Foundation for the Mid South does.
It’s who they are.