Celebrating Our Inaugural Graduates of the Mississippi Charter School Operations Leader Residency Program
The Mississippi Charter School Operations Leader Residency Program, funded through Mississippi First by Bloomberg Philanthropies, is thrilled to honor its first cohort of graduates. This innovative program equips aspiring operations leaders with practical tools and experiences to excel in charter school settings. It represents a vital step in strengthening high-quality education in Mississippi.
About the Program
Operational leadership plays a critical role in charter schools’ success. Leaders in these positions align operational visions with student aspirations and ensure that schools run smoothly. This foundation helps create environments where educators and students can thrive.
However, finding and training strong operations leaders has been challenging in Mississippi’s growing charter school sector. The Mississippi Charter School Operations Leader Residency Program was developed as a partnership between Mississippi First and RePublic Schools to address this need.
The one-year residency includes eight six-week modules. These sessions combine hands-on learning with direct teaching. Fellows apply their knowledge through real-world projects and complete a capstone presentation to showcase their skills.
The program emphasizes technical expertise and strategic leadership, led by Trey Vernaci, Senior Director of Operations at RePublic Schools. In Our Inaugural Graduates, fellows also learn to lead with equity, vision, and sustainability.
Erika Owens
Erika Owens, a Starkville native, now calls Jackson home after graduating from Jackson State University with a BA in Business Administration. Beyond her professional goals, Erika is a proud mother to her son, Omari, and an active community advocate through the Safe Place Foundation, Inc.
She joined the residency to strengthen her leadership skills and develop efficient systems for school teams. Erika says the relationships she built with RePublic staff have been the most meaningful part of her experience. She reflects, “Everyone has embraced me as part of their team and ensured that I gain the knowledge and experience needed to succeed as a school operations leader.”
Carolyn D. Smith
Carolyn D. Smith is a licensed education administrator, instructional coach, and doctoral candidate at Belhaven University. She brings seven years of experience to her work and holds multiple degrees, including a Master’s in Sociology focused on Alcohol and Drug Counseling, an Education Specialist Degree, and credentials as a Licensed Practical Nurse.
Her passion for empowering women and youth shines through in her public speaking and inspirational book, Pretty… on Purpose. She joined the program to deepen her understanding of school operations. Carolyn notes, “The beautiful thing about learning, as B.B. King said, is that nobody can take it away from you.”
The residency gave her new insights into the behind-the-scenes operations of schools. She combines her past career experiences with her new skills to create systems that benefit schools and their communities.
A Vision for the Future
As Erika and Carolyn graduate, the Mississippi Charter School Operations Leader Residency Program demonstrates its importance. The program directly addresses the need for skilled operations leaders, ensuring Mississippi’s charter schools can grow and thrive.
These graduates exemplify the power of dedication, operational leadership, and a commitment to education. Their success highlights how innovative programs like this can foster equity and excellence in schools.
We proudly celebrate Erika, Carolyn, and the leaders who will follow them. Together, they will shape the future of education in Mississippi and ensure every child has access to high-quality learning opportunities.
English 
Español