Mansell Receives 2025 Distinguished Achievement Award
COLUMBUS, Miss. – The Mississippi University for Women Alumni Association announced Penny Sansing Mansell as the 2025 Distinguished Achievement Award recipient. During Homecoming Convocation on April 5, she was honored for her exceptional leadership in service to Mississippi communities and her continued advocacy for high-quality early childhood education.
A graduate of The W and current Director of the Center for Education Support, Mansell’s career spans both corporate and educational sectors. After leaving early education roles as a young adult, she built a business, marketing, and project management career—skills that now shape her work managing large-scale initiatives and grant-funded projects within the university and throughout the region. She credits those initial business-building years with helping her understand how to run early education programs and support directors in leading their centers.
After having her first child and experiencing the realities of early care, Mansell was drawn back into education with a renewed focus on expanding access to high-quality early learning experiences, particularly in rural communities. The shift fueled her transition into early childhood advocacy, grant development, and systems-level work focused on supporting teachers and programs from birth.
She served eight years as Director of The W’s Child and Parent Development Center (CPDC), a university laboratory school and practicum site for early childhood education students. Under her leadership, the CPDC underwent major renovations, increased enrollment, and transitioned from financial deficit to growth and sustainability. She now leads the Center for Education Support, coordinating professional learning, educational outreach, and strategic support in partnership with the School of Education. Mansell also teaches early education courses at The W, focusing on advocacy and leadership in early childhood programs. Over the course of her almost 10-year tenure at The W, she has secured nearly two million in funding to support early childhood programming, educator development, and infrastructure improvements.
Mansell serves on numerous local, state, and national councils and committees, but credits her favorite work as the Certification Manager for Columbus-Lowndes Excel by 5. She also serves as an Excel by 5 State Board member, promoting early childhood community certification throughout Mississippi. She works across community and campus lines to promote high-quality early educational systems. Her work has been recognized by the Mississippi Board of Trustees with the IHL Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award, as well as The W’s Diversity and Inclusion Award of Excellence for her early intervention programming at the CPDC.
“I found my voice because of The W. This award is a reminder that change doesn’t just happen—you have to speak up, collaborate, break down silos, and do the work,” said Mansell. “I’m proud to represent my alma mater. I hope this is only the beginning of what we can all do together.”
Mansell holds a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of West Alabama and is pursuing a Doctorate in Rural Education, focusing on organizational change and leadership. She lives in Gordo, Alabama, with her husband, John, and their two children, Arleigh (13) and John David (9).