The Mississippi State Personnel Board is excited to announce that nominations are open for the 2025-2026 cohort of Mississippi LEAD (Leadership Excellence and Development).

Launched in early 2024, this two-year program is designed to fit an executive leader’s busy schedule with monthly webinars and quarterly events.  Participants learn more about leadership topics including accountability, change management, and problem-solving.  Our quarterly events focus on topics specific to Mississippi state government like the legislative process, legal updates, and understanding appropriations bills.

 In January, 31 state government leaders were selected to launch our first cohort of participants. To participate in the Mississippi LEAD program, participants must:

• Be an employee of a Mississippi state government agency
• Be in one of our Top 3 pay grades of each pay plan: 
  • Mississippi General Pay Plan – Grades 18, 19, 20
  • IT Pay Plan – Grades 10, 11, 12
  • Medical Pay Plan – Grades 9, 10, 11
• Be willing to commit to the two-year commitment to finish the course
• Agree to complete all course requirements entirely and on time
• Be nominated by his or her agency head
• Complete the nomination form stating why he or she should be considered for this program

Nominations must be submitted by November 15 to qualify for the 2025-2026 cohort that starts in January 2025.  Individuals selected to participate will be notified in December. 

To access the nomination form, learn more about the program, or view details about our current participants, visit the Mississippi LEAD page on our website.