Gui Russo, B.A

Ph.D Student in Political Science at Vanderbilt University

Political Science graduate of Division of Social Sciences and History, Delta State University

“The Bachelor of Arts in Political Science I received from DSU has been fundamental in my academic career. My years in the program provided me with the skills, environment and experiences necessary not only to enter a competitive graduate program at Vanderbilt University but also to think about social problems more broadly. The close interaction with the faculty from the department was particularly crucial for my development as a student and scholar.”

Corinne Berry Jones, BA,MS,JD
Attorney, Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP

MSCD graduate of Division of Social Sciences and History, Delta State University

“The MSCD Program at DSU provided me with a new set of lenses for viewing the world around me. As I begin my career, I recognize the energy and excellence that arises from collaboration and the importance of developing partnerships with local businesses and organizations.  On a more practical level, my course work and the excellent faculty at DSU provided me with a strong foundation for the analytical research and writing that I encounter daily as a practicing attorney.”

Tomeka Harbin, BS, MS, PHD

Assistant Professor of Management, Delta State University

MSCD graduate of Division of Social Sciences and History, Delta State University

“The MSCD program allowed me to attend professional conferences in Montreal, Canada, Ithaca, NY, and Tuskegee, AL to present and hear presentations from a diverse group of people. I was able to work with faculty on community improvement projects which provided me with in-depth knowledge about the importance of grassroots organizing. As one of the founding members of the Delta State University, Community Development Student Organization I became a member of an elite group of students—the Hearin Fellows. It was these life changing experiences that help set the course for an exciting career in helping individuals help themselves.”

Todd Holt, BA,MS

Director of Business Development with the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

MSCD graduate of Division of Social Sciences and History, Delta State University

“The MSCD program at DSU provides an excellent opportunity to develop the skill sets necessary for one to be an effective economic/community developer.  I have used the knowledge and exposure that I acquired from the MSCD program  to be successful in a very competitive profession. I have great gratitude and admiration for the faculty who make the MSCD program successful. In brief, my time as a DSU graduate student was a blessing that enriched my professional development more than I ever anticipated.

Emanuel Edmond, BA,BS, CEcD, MS

Manager-States’ Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP)

MSCD graduate of Division of Social Sciences and History, Delta State University

Emanuel Edmond, a 2008 graduate has held several positions and received many promotions in his short career; something he directly attributes to his training and mentorship received in the MSCD program at Delta State University.  A native and resident of Greenville, MS, he is a sought after speaker on Economic Development, Health and Health Information Technology related issues. He has co-authored numerous publications, the most recent being, “A Church-based Dietary Intervention for Rural, Lower Mississippi Delta, African American Adults: Delta Body and Soul Pilot Study,” for the Journal of Rural Health.  Until September of 2012, Emanuel served as Coordinator of Health Information Technology (HIT) and Special Grants for the Delta Health Alliance, in Stoneville, MS. He coordinated efforts for all Health Technology programs, at the DHA, and assisted the program Director with day-to-day operations of HIT and Special Grants programs. Emanuel is currently employed with the Delta Regional Authority (DRA), a federal economic development agency, with headquarters in Clarksdale, MS. He serves as Manager of the largest funding mechanism, of the DRA, the States’ Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP). He is responsible for all administrative aspects of the SEDAP, in addition to the direct supervision of over 500 investment-projects located across DRA’s eight (8) state service region.

Eric Atchison, BA, MS, M.Ed

Institutional Research Analyst at Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning

MSCD graduate of Division of Social Sciences and History, Delta State University

Eric Atchison is the Institutional Research Analyst in the Office of Strategic Data Management for the State Board of Trustees of Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning and the IPEDS State Coordinator for Mississippi.  Prior to joining the state board, he served as the Research and Information Specialist at Delta State from 2008 to 2012.  Eric is furthering his education and career goals by pursuing a doctoral degree in Educational Research at the University of Southern Mississippi and serves as an adjunct instructor of Sociology for Delta State.  He is an active member is numerous state, regional, and national education and research associations and in 2013 was selected to participate as a fellow at the Association for Institutional Research National Data Institute. Eric shared his experieces at Delta state university :

 “The Community Development program at DSU provided me with the knowledge and skills to identify, collect, and analyze data as well as the ability to critically analyze and interpret various projects within social research. These skills have helped me to assist in projects focused on improving the quality of life of Delta residents, survivors of Hurricane Katrina on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and currently students enrolled at DSU. I tend to view our campus as a community and have been able to address many of the issues we face using methods learned within the MSCD program. The program has made a huge impact on my views of society and what direction I see myself going in the future.” 

John Bridges BS, MS

MD student at the University of Mississippi Medical Center

MSCD graduate of Division of Social Sciences and History, Delta State University

“The completion of the MSCD program helped me to gain a good perspective on how social problems and community development issues impact health care disparities in Mississippi.  The MSCD program gave me a good social science background and lens through which I can better understand medicine and how it affects community.  I also learned important skills in research and evaluation, which I continue to develop here at UMMC.”

Sarah Leonard, BA,  MS

Associate Director at the College Board

MSCD graduate of Division of Social Sciences and History, Delta State University

“The skills I developed at Delta State provided me with the necessary tools for conducting community-based research and analysis, enabling me to develop an understanding of the communities in which and with whom I work. Community development has given me a useful framework to apply in various aspects of my life.”

Corbin Freres, BA, MS

J.D. candidate at the College of Law at the University of Illinois

MSCD graduate of Division of Social Sciences and History, Delta State University 

“The MSCD graduate program at Delta State University enabled me to continue my academic career while embarking on my life-changing experiences in the Mississippi Delta through the Americorp-sponsored program, Teach For America. The program provided me with analytical tools to explore the lives of my students and the communities which I served. It also supplied practical skills which I offered to community organizations with which I volunteered. Having matriculated into law school, I utilize the package of knowledge that I gained from the mentorship of my professors at Delta State University to present various perspectives and possible interpretations to legal discussions, which moves conversations toward questioning practical policy implications in communities. Topics from the program continue to emerge in my legal studies: politics, class, and social capital in Federal Income Taxation; sustainability and conservation in Property and Real Estate Finance and Development; race and gender in Constitutional Law; criminality and juvenile delinquency in Criminal Law; and of course writing, oratory, and research throughout the curriculum.” 

Lee Commer Pharr, BA

Exhibits & Programs Coordinator at the Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale, MS

History graduate of Division of Social Sciences and History, Delta State University 

“My history degree obtained from DSU helped me to attain my position and naturally complements my tasks here at the Delta Blues Museum on a daily basis. The Blues is considered America’s music and has influenced every genre that we listen to and identify with as a nation today. The roots of blues are clearly planted in Mississippi, specifically in the Delta. Delta State University’s history department greatly expanded my knowledge of this region’s rich cultural history, the good and the bad, and helped to deepen the love of this area where I grew up and have now settled. Every day I draw on things that I learned from my MS History classes, African American History classes, and my studies about the Civil Rights’ struggles covered in Dr. Westmoreland’s class on The Sixties. The history of Blues and the artists we remember and pay tribute to here at the museum is deeply and inextricably intertwined with all of those subjects. Furthermore, I use my writing and research skills honed by all the history classes constantly and my communications skills from the English classes and Interpersonal Communications classes never cease to aid me when interacting with tourists from all over the world, potential & existing donors, and the many classes and groups that come here to learn more about the Blues and the Mississippi Delta. We have international visitors from every part of the globe, and I can converse and relate to each one at least a little bit thanks to the wide spectrum of study covered by my History degree.”

Caleb Boettcher, MALS

World History Teacher at Tupelo Public School District

Social Science Education graduate of Division of Social Sciences and History, Delta State University 

“The Bachelor of Science in Education – Social Science degree at DSU not only allowed me to teach high school students about my passion, the social sciences, but also gave me a skill set transferrable to other areas. I am currently working at DSU in the Graduate Admissions Office while pursuing my Master of Arts in Liberal Studies degree. The knowledge, skills and connections I developed at Delta State University and the BSE program have helped me succeed in my career, continuing education and life in general.”

Spencer W. Ashley, BSE

Graduate Recruiter/Admissions at Delta State University

Social Science Education graduate of Division of Social Sciences and History, Delta State University with a concentration in Business 

“The Bachelor of Science in Education – Social Science degree at DSU allowed me to take my passion for American History and share it with others around me. The program also gave me the skills to research and write competently. Most importantly, though, the small class sizes allowed me to get to know all of my professors on a more personal but professional level. The connections I made with the members of the Division of Social Science and History have given me a vast network of support through my academic and professional career. I owe much of my success to the faculty and mentors I have met at Delta State that have supported me, challenged me, and/or given me a push when I needed it. I understood early on that having the ability to research and write effectively is important to any profession. After realizing the importance of these skills for professional development, I joined the Masters of Arts in Liberal Studies program at Delta State University to continue to improve these skills for the future.”

Caitlyn Thompson, MS

Director of Marketing at Bolivar Medical Center

MSCD graduate of Division of Social Science and History, Delta State University

Graduating from the Community Development program has allowed me to move up in my career through promotion and new job opportunities. It has provided me knowledge that is applicable to many fields and industries. I have gained a great awareness of how things affect not only my community but others, the nation and beyond. Having this degree, I feel more confident in the decisions that I make in my current job because I have been taught and trained by a great group of people. I truly believe that the Community Development program helped advance the skills needed for success in my career.