Delta Scholars Program

Cultivating Changemakers

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 program is a two-part academic and engagement experience selects outstanding students for their achievements and commitment to service, guiding them through pre-sessions in the spring, a two- week Summer Research Institute and Delta Innovation Tour, and a Community Project. The experience culminates in a fall conference bringing together partners to continue to build community and collaboration.

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. These lessons can serve as models and be applied in other communities. This culminates in the annual Delta Regional Forum, intended to engage community and regional development practitioners and scholars working in and with partners in the region to learn from each other in pursuit of population health and wellbeing, economic renewal, and community resilience.

Scholars are invited to reconnect and present at a three-day Cultivating Leaders Fall Conference in collaboration with our partner institutions to culminate the eight-month long experience. This conference provides an opportunity for students to share updates on their projects, 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