Director, Center for Education Support
Phone: (662) 241-6088 EDHS Office 113
Email: psmansell@muw.edu
About Penny
Penny Mansell serves as Director of the Center for Education Support (CES) at Mississippi University for Women. She believes education is a powerful force that drives economic progress, workforce development, and community sustainability. At The W, she has launched, revitalized, expanded, and/or directed major educational programs and initiatives, including the Child and Parent Development Center laboratory school, CHEER Conference, Mississippi Governor’s School, WISE Start, and professional development and educator pipeline initiatives. Since joining The W, she has managed more than $2 million in grants and gifts, expanding the university’s reach through innovative partnerships and community-based initiatives. Her collaborative work weaves together programs, events, policies, and systems that extend educational support beyond the classroom. She emphasizes engagement, outreach, and hospitality as core practices to ensure CES strengthens pipelines, supports lifelong learning, and sustains accountability. Penny approaches leadership as a problem-solver and change-maker, committed to turning community needs into high-impact solutions.
Much of her work begins where systems are fragmented. She brings institutions, agencies, educators, and communities together to break down silos, align resources and expertise, and turn disconnected efforts into coordinated solutions that are stronger, more sustainable, and more responsive to community needs.
Her motto? You don’t always have to know what you’re doing, but you better work hard, care deeply, and remember Maya Angelou’s words: “When you know better, do better.” Children and families are counting on it.
| Fall 2026 Schedule & Availability | Days | Time | Location / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-Campus Hours – Columbus | Monday–Friday | 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. | EDHS 113 / Campus |
| Student Office Hours | Available throughout on-campus hours | Please make an appointment or check in first | EDHS 113 / Campus – Education and Human Sciences Building |
| Virtual Office Hours | By appointment | — | Virtual |
| ED 315 – Policy and Advocacy in Early Education | Online | Asynchronous | Canvas |
| ED 417 – Behaviors in Early Childhood Education | Online | Asynchronous | Canvas |
| Field Experience / Outreach | Varies | — | Off Campus |
| Appointments | — | — | In person or virtual |
Education
- Ed.D, University of West Alabama, Rural Education Organizational Change and Leadership (Dissertation focus on Early Childhood Education Community Partnerships; in process)
- M.Ed, University of West Alabama, Early Childhood Education
- B.S., Mississippi University for Women, McDevitt Scholar, PTK Scholar, Hearin Leadership Scholar, Masker Honorary Social Club, Silhouette Social Club (Focus: Education, Public Relations, English)
- A.A., East Mississippi Community College, Scooba; Phi Theta Kappa
- New Hope High School, Columbus
- Special Needs Infant and Toddler Credential, Early Childhood Inclusion Center, Institute for Disabilities Studies at the University of Southern Mississippi
- Special Needs Preschool Credential, Early Childhood Inclusion Center Institute for Disabilities Studies at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Committees and Leadership for the School of Education:
- Administrative Council
- Campus Technology Council
- Institute on AI, Pedagogy, and the Curriculum Team
- Director’s Council
- Emergency Call Center
- PIE Council
- Academic Council
- Teacher Education Council
- Women’s College Advisory Committee
- School of Education Advisory Board
- School of Education Dean and Chairs Leadership Committee
- School of Education (MRR) Marketing, Recruitment & Retention Committee, Marketing Chair
- WHEMN – Women in Higher Education – Mississippi Network; MUW Institutional Representative
- Kappa Kappa Iota, Mu State, Beta Chapter (W Campus Advisor)
- Mississippi Professional Educators (W Campus Advisor)
- Mississippi Early Childhood Association (W Campus Advisor)
- MSMS Academic Pathways (until 2025)
- DEI Council (until 2024)
Community Partnerships and Advocacy
- Education Committee, Columbus-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce
- Advocacy Scholar, Center for Early Childhood Policy Advancement, 2025-2027
- State Board Member, Excel by 5
- Phil Hardin Early Education Instructors Fellow (Hardin Scholars), 2025-2027
- Mississippi Early Childhood Development Coalition
- Mississippi’s Forum for the Future
- Certification Manager, Steering Committee Chair, Excel by 5 of Columbus-Lowndes County
- National Committee for Collegiate Kappa, Kappa Kappa Iota
- Advisor, Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review (PEER Committee) Early Intervention Task Force (2023-2024)
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Member
- Mayor’s Coalition for Early Childhood Policy and Education (2023-2025)
- Mississippi Quality Support System Recommendations Team Member, QSS Project
Awards
| March 2025 | Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award |
| February 20, 2020 | IHL Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award by the Mississippi Board of Trustees |
| January 17, 2020 | The W’s Diversity and Inclusion Award of Excellence |
University Teaching
| ED204 | Principles of Early Childhood Education |
| ED315 | Policy and Advocacy in Early Childhood |
| ED317 | Social-Emotional Behaviors in Early Childhood |
| ED320 | Methods and Materials in Early Childhood Education |
| ED404 | Teacher Internship in Early Childhood Education |
Areas of interest:
- Raising early intervention and child-find referral rates
- Place-based school models
- Inclusive practices for early educators
- Grassroots efforts to problem-solve systemic education issues
- Rural early education programs and impact
Primary research areas:
- “Using High-Quality Coaching and Training to Raise Childcare Center STAR Assessment Scores in Mississippi”
- “Empowering Rural Communities: The Role of Grassroots Organizations in Transforming Early Childhood Education in Lowndes County, Mississippi”
