Mississippi's Emerging Leaders Academy: Building Lasting Leadership from Within

The MS Department of Health partnered with Mississippi Public Health Institute to train today's public health leaders to meet tomorrow's challenges.

Whether they are responding to an emergency or planning for long-term population health, health departments need strong and stable leadership to protect communities from disease and disasters, build healthy communities, and keep essential services running when they’re needed most. The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) knew that preparing for tomorrow’s health threats and challenges meant investing in its staff today. In 2024, the department teamed up with the Region 4 Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG) Hub, the Mississippi Public Health Institute (MSPHI), to create the Emerging Leaders Academy (ELA). The Academy’s first cohort brought together 20 high-potential staff from across the health department and equipped them with the skills, confidence, and strategic mindset needed to lead effectively.

Building Leaders from Within

The nine-month training program was modeled after leadership development approaches often seen in high-performing businesses. Participants completed professional assessments, such as the Birkman Emotional Intelligence assessment, to better understand how they communicate and interact with others, and built skills in executive engagement, cross-functional collaboration, project management, trust-building, conflict management, and promoting psychological safety and well-being. Participants were able to apply what they were learning in real time, as they selected capstone projects to tackle real-world challenges, worked in teams to develop solutions, and presented their ideas directly to MSDH’s executive leadership. The capstone projects addressed complex topics, including:

WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program participation rates have declined in Mississippi. ELA participants worked together to think of modern and creative approaches to engage young parents and increase WIC participation rates.
Rates of prenatal engagement in Mississippi are low. MSDH leaders focused on using evidence-based public health approaches to increase the amount of expecting parents receiving prenatal care.
The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is a national network of volunteers, organized in about 800 units to improve the health and safety of their communities. The MRC recruits, trains, and activates volunteers to respond to community health and safety needs. Thus far, MRC units in MS have only been used as part of emergency response. MSDH used the Academy to explore ways to expand the role of MRCs. For example, MRCs could deliver prevention-focused programs and services to address ongoing health threats, including diabetes and suicide.
MSDH uses procurement processes that can be administratively burdensome, and staff and partners do not have a good understanding of contracting requirements. ELA participants worked to resolve pain points related to contracting, procurement, and compliance.

A man speaks into a microphone at the Emerging Leaders Academy closing ceremony

A woman speaks into a microphone at the Emerging Leaders Academy closing ceremony

Participant Experience

Several participants have since been promoted to management positions, and others are being considered for future leadership roles. For many participants, the experience was transformative:

With over a decade of experience in public health and leadership, joining the state government just one year ago marked a new chapter in my professional journey. Participating in the Emerging Leaders Academy was a timely and transformative experience that helped me sharpen my skills and align them with the unique demands of public service. The capstone project was a highlight, allowing me to apply everything I learned in a collaborative, real-world setting. This experience reminded me that leadership is not about knowing everything, but about committing to continuous growth and purpose-driven action…The Emerging Leaders Academy reaffirmed my passion for developing people and leading with impact.

Anderia Jones, Training Lead at MSDH

The Emerging Leaders Academy pushed me to grow, connected me with inspiring peers, and equipped me with the confidence and tools to lead with impact. I'm genuinely grateful for the experience.

Alicia Duren, Director of Financial Grants Management at MSDH

Through the Emerging Leaders Academy, I learned that leadership isn’t just about strategy or results – it’s about relationships. Building trust, fostering collaboration, and investing in meaningful connections are what truly drive a successful team forward.

Ashton Smith, Clinical Pharmacist, Residency Program Coordinator at MSDH

Support from the Region 4 PHIG Hub

Behind the scenes, MSPHI handled everything needed to make the academy run smoothly. That included finding consultants, planning sessions, negotiating contracts, and securing venues and catering. They also managed communication with participants, distributed learning materials and collected evaluations. Their support meant MSDH staff could stay focused on learning and development without having to worry about planning and logistics.

The academy’s success has caught the attention of other health departments: the Alabama Department of Public Health, Fulton County Board of Health, and Metro Public Health Department Nashville and Davidson County have all expressed interest in replicating this model.

Stronger Public Health Leaders = Better Health for Mississippi Communities

Dr. Dan Edney presents a certificate to an Emerging Leaders Academy participant.

MSDH is identifying talented staff and giving them the tools they need to grow within the department – this reduces costly staff turnover, improves efficiency, and builds a pipeline of skilled leaders ready to tackle public health challenges. MSDH leadership has recognized investing in and supporting its current staff as a cornerstone of its public health infrastructure work, as articulated by Mississippi State Health Officer Dr. Dan Edney.

Seeing our first class complete the Emerging Leaders Academy has been one of the most rewarding moments in my time at MSDH. Watching these talented individuals grow in confidence and capability over the course of the program has reaffirmed my belief in the power of investing in our people. The Emerging Leaders Academy is not only already making a difference — it’s a vital investment in the future of public health leadership in Mississippi. I have no doubt it will continue to strengthen our workforce and prepare us to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

Dr. Dan Edney, Mississippi State Health Officer, MSDH

This work is supported by funds made available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Center for STLT Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce, through OE22-2203: Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems grant. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.