Director, Center for Education Support
Director, Child and Parent Development Center
Phone: (662) 241-6088 EDHS Office 113
Email: psmansell@muw.edu
About Penny
Penny serves as the Director of the CES and CPDC. She believes education is a powerful force that drives the economy, jobs, poverty rates, and community sustainability. Her collaborative work on campus and in the region produces strategies to improve educational support opportunities through implementing programs, events, policies, and initiatives. She believes education doesn’t end in the classroom; it should be a lifelong journey that adapts to changing circumstances and needs to create positive change.
Education
University of West Alabama, Master’s in Early Childhood Education
The W, Bachelor of Science Degree, McDevitt Scholar, Hearin Leadership Scholar, Phi Theta Kappa
Special Needs Infant and Toddler Credential. From the Early Childhood Inclusion Center, Institute for Disabilities Studies at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Special Needs Preschool Credential. From the Early Childhood Inclusion Center Institute for Disabilities Studies at the University of Southern Mississippi.
2023-2024 Committees and Leadership:
- Administrative Council
- Director’s Council
- Diversity Council
- PIE Council
- Academic Council
- Teacher Education Council
- Women’s Mission Advancement Committee
- School of Education Advisory Board
- School of Education Dean and Chairs Committee
- School of Education Marketing, Recruitment & Retention Committee
- Advisor, Masker Honorary Social Club
- Advisor, Kappa Kappa Iota, Collegiate Kappa
- Site Manager, Jumpstart Program Support Partner at CPDC
- WHEMN – Women in Higher Education – Mississippi Network; MUW Institutional Representative
2023-2024 Community Partnerships and Advocacy
- Advisor, Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review (PEER Committee) Early Intervention Task Force
- State Board Member, Excel by 5
- Mississippi Quality Support System Recommendations Team Member, QSS Project
- Mississippi’s Forum for the Future
- Education Committee, Columbus-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce
- Certification Manager, Steering Committee, Excel by 5 of Columbus-Lowndes County
- Mayor’s Coalition for Early Childhood Policy and Education
- Member, Kappa Kappa Iota, Mu State, Beta Chapter
- National Committee for Collegiate Kappa, Kappa Kappa Iota
Awards
| 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
| ED304 | Principles of Early Childhood Education |
| ED320 | Methods and Materials in Early Childhood Education |
| ED404 | Teacher Internship in Early Childhood Education |
Areas of interest:
- Rural early education programs and impact
- Place-based school models
- Grassroots efforts to problem-solve systematic education issues
- Inclusive practices for early educators
Primary research area:
- “Using High-Quality Coaching and Training to Raise Childcare Center STAR Assessment Scores in Mississippi”