Delta Scholars Program

Cultivating Changemakers

2027 Application Portal Opens October 2026

Eligibility: 

Students who are currently enrolled full-time in a two-or four-year college or university not expecting to graduate in Spring 2027 with a grade point average of 3.4 are encouraged to apply.

Preference may be given to students who have completed two years of coursework and are from or attending school in the Multi-State Delta Region (which includes AL, AR, IL, KY, LA, MO, MS, and TN) or a partner institution.

Any major may apply.  Our focus areas include: community development, data leadership, public health, and law and policy.

Applicants must submit the following:

ONE PDF document, including:

• Two essays:
• • Interest Essay: 
    • Focus area of interest
    • Educational/Research background
    • Career goals
    • Why DSP? How does it connect to career goals?
  • Creative Essay (350-650 words): Choose one prompt: (released in October 2026)
• Resume 
• Transcripts
• Two letters of recommendation
  • one from faculty and one non-faculty
  • Letters must be on organizational letterhead and address participation specifically in the Delta Scholars Program. 
• Applicants who advance to semi-finalist will be required to participate in a virtual interview with the committee in February 2027.

Questions should be emailed to deltascholars@honors.msstate.edu

About the Delta Scholars Program

The Delta Scholars Program (DSP) exists because visionary supporters believe that investing in students can change entire communities. With donor partnerships, we challenge bright and motivated undergraduates become leaders ready to collaborate with communities on issues related to public health, economic renewal, and community resilience. 

The Delta Scholars Program is an academic and community engagement initiative for college students interested in leadership and cultivating change. Scholars are selected for their academic achievements and commitment to public service and community development. The program spans eight months, beginning with virtual pre-sessions in April and May, followed by a twelve day on the ground Summer Research Institute and Delta Innovation Tour, and culminating in a fall conference. 

The scholars engage in a capstone project of benefit to our community/regional partners. The purpose is to help scholars process what they have learned, apply that knowledge to a problem of interest, and contribute to the work of the Delta partners. Scholars take what they learn from readings, presentations, and experiences, and connect that with real-world initiatives that have broader implications to propose an innovative response, take an initiative to a next step, or inform policy (e.g. knowledge that could be utilized in other communities and situations).

Participation in DSP includes engagement with and learning from diverse partners brought together under the umbrella known as the Delta Directions Consortium. This involves researchers from universities, outreach practitioners from nonprofit organizations and the Extension Service, leaders from philanthropic foundations, and many others. Scholars also build their networks to include an array of other leaders from community and regional organizations.

Program Content

Summer Research Institute , Delta Innovation Tour, and Cultivating Leaders Fall Conference

Through a 12-day intensive learning experience known as the Summer Research Institute scholars are introduced to professional workshops, speakers, and research presentations. They embark on a Delta Innovation Tour, an immersive experience for learning more about the history of the Multi-State Delta Region as model of innovation to build skills to foster growth and change. DSP highlights issues and solutions pertinent to the region, (which includes AL, AR, IL, KY, LA, MO, MS, and TN).

There is much to be learned from the Multi-State Delta Region and future leaders benefit from learning from and understanding the complexities of this special place in pursuit of population health and wellbeing, economic renewal, and community resilience. These lessons can serve as models and be applied in other communities. 

Scholars are invited to reconnect at a Cultivating Leaders Fall Conference in collaboration with our partner institutions to close the eight-month long experience. This conference provides an opportunity for students to share updates, receive continued mentorship, and engage with students and faculty working on Multi-State Delta issues.

Delta Scholars Program Partners

DSP is led through the Shackouls Honors College in collaboration with many partners.These include the Southern Rural Development Center, based at MSU, the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi, Brandeis University, the University of Mississippi (including Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College and Grisham-McLean Institute for Public Service and Community Engagement), Rutgers University, and Harvard University (including Harvard College, Harvard Law School, and the T.H. Chan School of Public Health).

Delta Scholars Program Team

Program Director: Professor Eleanor M. Green, M.Ed.

Program Faculty: Dr. Danielle Wylie, Assistant Teaching Professor, Department of Philosophy and Religion, Faculty Fellow, Shackouls Honors College, Mississippi State University

Program Student Assistant 2026: Allie Wall, 2025 DSP Cohort