Delta Scholars Program

Cultivating Changemakers

About the Delta Scholars Program

The Delta Scholars Program (DSP) is an academic and community engagement program for college students interested in leadership and cultivating change. Scholars have a commitment to public service and an interest in community development. They engage in a capstone project, taking what they learn and connecting that with real-world initiatives that have broader implications to inform policy.

We believe that investing in students can change communities, regions, and systems. Delta symbolically implies change, and the Multi-State Delta region is a learning space where our scholars experience community development in action. While communities in the flood plains of the Mississippi River have faced challenges that are influenced by local, national, and global forces, the region has also been on the front lines of generating solutions. Our cohort members learn from people and communities in the region, exploring how they responded to these challenges, what can we learn from those efforts, and what can we take back, not just for the region or state, but nationally and globally as well. There is much to be learned from the Delta Region and future leaders benefit from exploring the complexities of this special place.

Program Content

• Two-week Summer Research Institute and Delta Innovation Tour
• Capstone Project 
• Cultivating Leaders Fall Conference
• Alumni Network

Scholars are introduced to professional workshops, speakers, research presentations and spend time in Delta communities. The Delta Innovation Tour, is 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 and beyond.

2027 Application Portal Opens November 1 2026-Closes February 12, 2027

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 during the week of March 1-5 2027.

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

We've had some great cohort members! See our Alumni below!

Are you a former Delta Scholar? Complete the Alumni Update Form 

Connect with DSP on LinkedIn and Instagram!

We want to hear about the great things you are doing now! 

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, Harvard University (including Harvard College, Harvard Law School, Communities Unlimited and the T.H. Chan School of Public Health).