New executive director appointed to head MCEI

Special to the Mississippi Link

The Mississippi Center for Education Innovation (MCEI) – a non-profit education organization initially funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation -will head in to its second year with fresh leadership.

Steve Williams, who retired as a deputy state superintendent at the Mississippi Department of Education in July 2008, has been selected to serve as MCEI’s new executive director. Since his retirement from state government, Williams has served as the organization’s director of Community, Family and School Engagement.

Williams succeeds Dr. Lana Seivers, the former Tennessee Commissioner of Education who led the Center through its establishment.

“There are not many who are as thoughtful, capable and creative as Steve,” State Superintendent of Education Dr. Hank Bounds said. “In order to move K-12 education forward in this state, we need people like him at the helm, helping to shape policy and pushing for outside-the-box solutions.”

Dr. Bounds also thanked Dr. Seivers for her leadership during a critical time at MCEI, which opened in July 2008.

Since then, the organization has launched several initiatives including the “Early Educators” program, which provides 21st century instructional interventions – such as iPods and podcasts – to students in the Mississippi Delta.

The Center is focusing much of its effort on increasing the quality of teachers and leaders in schools, encouraging community engagement and providing more early childhood education opportunities. MCEI’s work is aimed at decreasing the dropout rate and increasing literacy levels and student achievement on national tests, all of which are goals set by the Mississippi Board of Education.

“Sustainable improvements to the lives of the state’s most vulnerable children and families, and the state as a whole, will require an unprecedented commitment by citizens of all walks of life,” Williams said. “The Center’s mission is to focus its energy and resources to helping make this happen.”

Williams started his career in education in 1978 with the Oxford School District. In 1986, he was hired at the Mississippi Department of Education. He retired in 2008 as the deputy state superintendent of the Office of Educational Accountability with nearly 33 years in state service.

Williams holds a bachelor of science in education and master’s degree in speech pathology from the University of Mississippi.

Greg Taylor, vice president for programs in Youth and Education, said Williams is a “great fit for MCEI.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing what this important and unique organization will accomplish over the next several years,” Taylor said. “Our children are too important to our future not to invest in their educational success. With Steve’s leadership, MCEI will prove to be an excellent resource in that endeavor.”