Building communities, one child at a time.
WISE Start is The W’s Center for Education Support initiative to strengthen early childhood systems through family support, educator workforce development, and community partnerships.
What we do
• Support families: Resources, screenings, referrals, and navigation.
• Strengthen educators: Apprenticeships, scholarships, coaching, and professional learning.
• Build communities: Coalitions linking education, health, and workforce.
• Drive innovation: Rural-first pilots that scale regionally and statewide.
Why it matters
High-quality early learning improves school readiness, family stability, and local economies. WISE Start aligns partners to deliver practical solutions for rural communities.
Supporters
Made possible through a $500,000 philanthropic gift from Dr. Bonnie Camp, Sibyl Frankenburg, and Steve Kessel to the children of Mississippi. (100K per year, 2025-2029)
Learn more
• 30-minute overview: https://senatorchs.my.canva.site/wise-start-collaboration-plan-30-minute-presentation
Primary MUW coverage
• W news post announcing WISE Start and crediting Dr. Bonnie Camp and Sibyl Frankenburg: https://www.muw.edu/news/w-launches-wise-start-early-childhood-project-to-boost-early-childhood-education/
• School of Education site item on the launch: https://www.muw.edu/education/uncategorized/w-launches-wise-start-early-childhood-project-to-boost-early-childhood-education/
Syndicated and external mentions
• Magnolia Tribune roundup noting funding secured by Dr. Bonnie Camp from Sibyl Frankenburg and Steve Kessel: https://magnoliatribune.com/2025/07/25/ole-miss-muw-invest-in-early-childhood-learning/
• Enterprise-Tocsin reprint: https://www.enterprise-tocsin.com/ole-miss-muw-invest-early-childhood-learning-68890f6ea7afb
• Press Register reprint: https://www.pressregister.com/ole-miss-muw-invest-early-childhood-learning-68890fe71b781
• Philanthropy News Digest brief: https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/other-sources/article/?id=16297864&title=Ole-Miss%2C-MUW-invest-in-early-childhood-learning