The Mid-South Delta Leaders (MSDL) program is making a call for qualified applicants, as Class III of MSDL is set to begin in September 2006.
“We are searching for individuals throughout the 55-county/parish Delta region of Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas who are committed to improving the quality of life in the Delta and have a strong commitment to professional and personal growth and development,” stated Dr. Myrtis Tabb, MSDL Tri-State Leader at Delta State University.
MSDL, a tri-state Delta regional leadership development program, is unique because of its three state focus. The program’s tri-state regional mission brings together a diverse group of citizens to enhance the quality of life through human resource development, community development and economic development.
Forty-five class members, 15 from each state, will participate in a 16-month curriculum designed to improve their leadership, management and communication skills. MSDL class members range in age from 21- 70 and represent a wide variety of employment sectors, including higher education, K-12 education, government, non-profit, for-profit businesses, faith-based organizations, self-employment and community volunteers.
“We often forget or don’t know how to see value in ourselves. MSDL impacts us economically, educationally and culturally. I have taken what I’ve learned, and I’m working to try to help others to see their importance in making positive changes,” stated a graduate of MSDL.
Ultimately, MSDL serves as a forum to share ideas, encourages participants to bring their strengths to collaborative efforts and brings together persons of diverse backgrounds in a variety of programs and experiences, in a non-traditional learning process.
“The MSDL curriculum has long-term effects that extend beyond the 16-month structured program. MSDL takes action by uniting men and women of diverse backgrounds who have the desire to work collectively for the benefit of the entire tri-state Delta,” Christy Montesi, MSDL Tri-State Director offered.
MSDL is funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation/Mid-South Delta Initiative through a partnership between leader partner Delta State University, Grambling State University in Louisiana; and Arkansas State University.
Applications are due by July 21, 2006. To receive an application or for more information, visit the MSDL website at www.msdi.org/leadership or contact Montesi at (662) 846-4336 or by email at cmontesi@deltastate.edu.
