Initiative

Postsecondary Initiatives

The Children’s Foundation of Mississippi has long recognized postsecondary education as an important part of supporting Mississippi’s children and strengthening the state’s future. Our postsecondary work includes both helping children and families prepare for higher education and creating opportunities for college and graduate students to contribute their perspectives, skills, and research to efforts that improve outcomes for children and families.

Our focus on postsecondary opportunity and student involvement has taken many forms over the years. Through Kids to College with Entergy, we helped families open my529 college savings accounts, with Entergy contributing funds to help families begin saving for their children’s postsecondary education.We have also hosted more than 20 student fellows and interns from Mississippi State University, Tougaloo College, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the University of Mississippi School of Law, and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, giving students opportunities to contribute to research and other work connected to child well-being.

Today, we continue our relationship with the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health while also expanding our own student-focused programming through Collegiate Connectors. The inaugural Collegiate Connectors cohort brought together 20 students representing 11 Mississippi colleges and universities to learn more about issues affecting children and families, connect with communities and professionals across the state, and explore how their own skills and careers can contribute to Mississippi’s future. Together, these programs and partnerships reflect our continued focus on expanding postsecondary opportunity, involving students in the work of improving child well-being, and helping young people build meaningful connections to Mississippi.