Welcome to NEW Leadership® Mississippi!
NEW Leadership® Mississippi advances The W's historic mission to promote women's leadership in Mississippi.
Each summer the program brings together college students from across the political spectrum and from a wide range of racial, ethnic, educational, political and economic backgrounds to discuss the roles of women in leadership and politics. NEW Leadership® Mississippi is designed to empower women's participation in politics through programs that educate, empower, and encourage college students to become politically active and to take on leadership roles in public service. During the summer institute, students will meet women leaders, learn about women in American politics, and develop and practice leadership skills through panel discussions, workshops, and hands-on projects.
The 2023 Summer Institute will take place June 4-9. Applications for the 2023 Summer Institute are now open and will be accepted through Friday, April 7.
About NEW Leadership® Mississippi
NEW Leadership® is a national bi-partisan program developed by Rutgers University to address the under-representation of women in American politics. The summer institute educates college students about the important role that politics plays in their lives, provides them with a network of professional political women, and encourages them to become effective leaders in the political arena. Mississippi University for Women joined the national network of NEW Leadership® programs in 2013, and its Center for Women's Research and Public Policy hosts the NEW Leadership® Mississippi summer institute annually.
NEW Leadership® Mississippi is designed to empower women's equitable representation in politics through programs that educate, empower, and encourage college students to become politically active and to take on leadership roles in public service. During the program, students will meet women leaders, learn about women in American politics, and develop and practice leadership skills through panel discussions, workshops, and hands-on projects. Participants earn 2 college credits in women's studies or political science that may be transferred to the institution they attend.
Learning From Women Leaders
NEW Leadership® Mississippi participants meet professional women who are shaping public policy every day. These women serve as role models and mentors, illustrating the challenges that women leaders face as well as the opportunities they encounter to make a difference.
Each year is different, but we have always been proud of the tremendous support provided by retired and current political professionals. Because of their generous investments of time and expertise, program alumnae have enjoyed amazing access to leaders in every branch of Mississippi government as well as insights from advocates and political correspondents.
Nurturing Networks
Living together for this immersive program builds a sense of community and encourages long-term professional relationships among Mississippi's most ambitious young women. In addition, women political leaders serve as Faculty in Residence (FIRs), staying on campus with the students for the duration of the program. This allows for an intensive mentoring experience in which learning extends beyond scheduled sessions as informal conversations continue over meals and in residence halls. Participants are encouraged to share ideas, challenge opinions they heard during the day, and reflect in a way that could not occur in non-residential programs. This atmosphere is further enriched by nonpartisan nature of programming.
Developing Leadership Skills
Many NEW Leadership® Mississippi sessions are interactive workshops and hands-on exercises that encourage participants to practice their leadership skills. Students participate in workshops such as public speaking, conflict resolution, networking and advocacy training.
Intensive programming features scholarly experts in women’s history and politics as well as women shaping public policy as elected and appointed officials, public servants, lobbyists, journalists, community leaders and issue advocates. Learning takes place via a range of pedagogical techniques, including interactive presentations and panels, small group discussions, hands-on workshops, and an “Action Project” in which students present testimony in a mock legislative committee hearing.
Addressing Issues of Diversity
Leadership in the 21st century will require the ability to work with diverse groups and constituencies.
NEW Leadership® Mississippi brings together college women from across the political spectrum and from a wide range of racial, ethnic, educational, political and economic backgrounds to discuss the roles of women in leadership and politics. The program exposes participants to new ideas and opportunities as they consider their future careers and provides a safe space where they can respectfully address issues of diversity and discuss the difficulties associated with leadership in a diverse society.
Participants are undergraduates representing a wide range of socioeconomic, ethnic, racial and educational backgrounds. We strongly encourage women of all backgrounds to apply and are committed to diversity in terms of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic background, political ideology, and sexual orientation. Any undergraduate student enrolled in a Mississippi college or university--public or private--is eligible to apply, as are Mississippi residents enrolled in out-of-state schools. We seek applications from all who aspire to be a woman leader!
For more information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (662) 329-7173.
