Good morning! It’s a great day in Mississippi!

Welcome to the 2024 Fall Leadership Conference! It is an honor to address a group of students that want to make a difference in the world, from DECA, FBLA, and SkillsUSA. This conference is a unique opportunity for us to come together, to learn, and to grow as future leaders in business, industry, and our communities.

As you navigate the sessions and events throughout the day, I encourage you to network with students from other chapters and organizations. Collaboration is key to success in any field, and this conference provides you the perfect platform to build lasting connections that will benefit you both personally and professionally.

Take full advantage of the professional development workshops and engage with the business and industry guests who have joined us. They bring real-world insight that will help you better understand what it takes to succeed in your chosen career paths.

Above all, make the most of your time here. The lessons, relationships, and experiences you gain at this conference will shape your journey forward.

Best of luck, and enjoy the conference!
Tres A. Jones – Mississippi Collegiate DECA President

ACCEPTABLE ATTIRE

• Shirt
• Blouse
• Khaki Pants
• Casual Slacks
• Casual Shoes
• Polo-Style Shirt
• Business Casual

UNACCEPTABLE ATTIRE

• Blue Jeans
• Flip Flops
• Shorts and/or mini-skirts
• Skin-Tight Clothing
• Revealing Clothing
• Midriff Baring Clothing
• Sleeveless Clothing
• See-Through Clothing
• Low Cut Shirts
• Shirts with Ripped or Cut Sides
• Loose Fitting or Baggy Pants
• Sleepwear
• Clothing with Suggestive or Obscene Printing
• Clothing Promoting Illegal
• Substances

Professional attire is a major component of Student Organizations. We ask that you adhere to the Dress Code as established by the National Student Organization offices and your State Office. Individuals in inappropriate attire will not be permitted to attend professional development sessions or the tour.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

DR. MELINDA GANN

Mississippi College – Keynote Speaker

For 35 years, Dr. Gann has invested in and served the students and institution of Mississippi College, the students and teachers of Mississippi, and the mathematics education community at large. She is a mathematics professor at Mississippi College and has served as a consultant for the Mississippi Department of Education and various consulting firms and school districts across the state. The majority of her scholarly contributions involve presentations, keynote speeches, and professional developments delivered both nationally and internationally.

She has received various honors along the way, including the Mississippi College Distinguished Professor of the Year Award, the MC Student Government Outstanding Faculty Award, the Carol West Faculty Advocate Award, and the Mississippi Council of Teacher of Mathematics College Teacher of the Year Award.

College students are her favorite people group, and nothing gives her more pleasure than spending time with and investing in them.

PRESENTERS

Elise Wilson, M.A.

MS University for Women – Resume & Cover Letter Best Practices

Elise Wilson is the Director of the Career Services and Professional Development Center at The W. Elise comes to The W with a wealth of experience in leadership and management training, employee engagement, and retention best practices. She worked as the employee engagement manager for Dutch Oil Company before joining The W in the fall of 2023. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and a Master of Arts degree in Women’s Leadership from The W. Elise also has experience working in student life and understands student services from a holistic approach. Elise is involved in the Columbus community as a member of Rotary and President of the United Way of the Golden Triangle Region. She resides in New Hope with her husband, Nathan, who is also a W graduate. Together they have three children and an assortment of animals on their small hobby farm.

HENRY MOORE

Families as Allies – Rethinking Leadership: How Can I Get More Involved?

Henry Moore specializes in training, education, and project development with an emphasis on Family Driven Practice, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Special Education, and Substance Use Prevention. He has been an educator, training specialist, large group facilitator, and project director for over 25 years. He currently focuses his efforts as Director of Family Driven Practice at Families as Allies, the State Chapter of the National Federation of Families and Mississippi’s federally designated Family to Family (F2F) Health Information Center. Henry is a proud dad of five young adults and has lived and professional experience as a family leader. He received his Bachelor of Science in Special Education from Jackson State University where he was also a member of the Tiger’s Football Team—Thee I Love.

TRACY GADDIS SMITH

Hinds Community College – Digital Financial Coaching

Mrs. Smith’s educational background begins with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Mississippi State University in 1999, Master of Business Administration from Mississippi College in 2005, Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 2023, and currently pursuing an Education Doctoral degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Mrs. Smith has ten years professional experience in public accounting and two years of medical office administration and coding. She joined Hinds Community College in 2007 and currently serves as a Business Office Technology instructor in the Career and Technical Educational Division.

NATASHA GRIFFIN, LPC, BC-TMH

Phases Counseling & Wellness, LLC – Beyond the Mask: Normalizing Conversations About Mental Illness on Campus

Natasha Griffin, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with a passion for providing quality service to her clients, is not only a therapist but a caregiver as well and understands the importance of helping others process their issues through listening and feedback. She believes that personal success and healing lie within and is committed to walking with each of her clients on the path to achieve these goals.

After graduating high school Natasha thought her life’s work would lead her to the medical field and pursued and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Tougaloo College. She furthered her education by earning a master’s degree in Public Administration at Belhaven University, but she discovered that her passion did not lie in either of these fields. She then enrolled in Mississippi College, where she obtained a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Counseling.

Natasha is the owner of Phases Counseling & Wellness, LLC. We aim to empower individuals with practical tools to help manage life’s challenges and develop healthy coping skills. She believes that therapy is the vehicle through which she helps people discover and rediscover tools for mentally healthy lifestyles and daily lives out her personal motto, “Dying to self to bring life to others.”

VIVIAN O’NEAL

Capable Consulting – Your Digital First Impression: Using Social Media to Get What You Want

Vivian O’Neal is a 26-year-old native of Hattiesburg, MS. She graduated with a BA in Public Relations in 2020, and an MEd in Higher Education in 2023 from the University of Southern Mississippi, where she formerly worked as the Recruitment Coordinator for the Honors College.

In June 2023,Vivian was crowned Miss Mississippi and became the first Miss Mississippi to win a preliminary at the Miss America Competition in over a decade. She is the founder of an award-winning 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization called CapABLE which provides disability inclusion resources to educators. Her programs have reached over 50,000 students nationwide, and she recently launched her LLC, Capable Consulting.

From personal branding and building a nonprofit and LLC to curating a voice for other public figures and businesses, Vivian has worked in the field of public relations and communications in multiple capacities and is excited to bring her experience to students!

DR. ERIN EATON

MCCB – You Have Something That Artificial Intelligence(AI) Doesn’t

Dr. Eaton is a lifelong Mississippi resident from Brookhaven, MS. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Mississippi College, and her doctorate from Union University in Jackson, TN. She worked with college students for 25 years on the campuses of Belhaven University and The University of Southern Mississippi as an instructor, as an advisor, and in student services. She started at the Mississippi Community College Board in January 2020 and worked with Career Technical Education new instructors and new administrators. In 2022, she moved into The Office of Academic and Student Affairs where she works with the academic and student affairs officers at all 15 community colleges. She also works with other state organizations involved in programs like higher education in Mississippi prisons and providing student support to Mississippi foster care youth entering college. Dr. Eaton is wife to Guy, and bonus mom to Wyatt (19) and Lydia (23). She is the dog mom of Lulu, Rocky, and Emmie.

WORKSHOPS

RETHINKING LEADERSHIP: HOW CAN I GET MORE INVOLVED

Henry Moore – Director of Family Driven Practice, Families as Allies

This workshop will introduce participants to Making Action Plans (MAPS), which is a “person-centered” planning process to help an individual plan for his or her future. Plans that are developed through the MAPS process tend to be positive, forward-thinking, personalized, and creative in their use of resources. The process fosters the development of self-advocacy skills among individuals and helps to establish trust and a sense of empowerment and shared responsibility among MAPS participants. The five sections of the MAPS activities are: Who Am I, My History, My Dreams, My Fears, and My Needs.

BEYOND THE MASK: NORMALIZING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS ON CAMPUS

Natasha Griffin – LPC, BC-TMH, Phases Counseling & Wellness, LLC

Mental health challenges are increasingly common among college students, yet stigma and misconceptions often prevent open dialogue. “Beyond the Mask: Normalizing Conversations About Mental Illness on Campus” is a one-hour interactive presentation aimed at raising awareness, debunking myths, and teaching students how to effectively support peers struggling with mental health issues. This session will provide students with practical skills, promote empathy, and foster a culture of openness and support. By equipping students with communication strategies and knowledge of campus resources, we aim to make mental health discussions part of everyday campus life.

DIGITAL FINANCIAL COACHING

Tracy Gaddis Smith – Instructor, Hinds Community College

This workshop will provide participants with offensive and defensive strategies to understand the digital aspects of money.

RESUME & COVER LETTER BEST PRACTICES

Elise Wilson, M.A. – Director, Career Services & Professional Development Center

In today’s competitive job market, a well-crafted resume and cover letter are crucial for making a strong first impression and landing your dream job. This interactive workshop is designed to equip you with the essential skills and strategies to create compelling and professional resumes and cover letters that will stand out to employers.

YOUR DIGITAL FIRST IMPRESSION: USING SOCIAL MEDIA TO GET WHAT YOU WANT

Vivian O’ Neal – Owner, Capable Consulting

They say you only have seven seconds to make a first impression-but what about your digital first impression? In a world shaped by social media, the impression you leave online is crucial to success in any field. This workshop will help you build an authentic online presence and teach you strategies to effectively brand yourself, your business, and more to achieve exactly what you want.

YOU HAVE SOMETHING THAT ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) DOESN’T

Dr. Erin Eaton – Assistant Executive Director Academic & Student Affairs, MCCB

Since the introduction of ChatGPT to the masses, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly showing up everywhere and in virtually every industry with no end in sight. Healthcare, finance, retail, manufacturing, education, and marketing are just a handful of career fields that are using AI on a regular basis. To stay competitive, individuals must understand which abilities and characteristics artificial intelligence struggles to replicate. This session will focus on the essential human qualities that will remain indispensable in the workplace.

TOUR

COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT MSU & THE MILL CONFERENCE CENTER

100 Mercantile Street, Starkville, MS 39759

Located at 100 Mercantile Street, the Courtyard by Marriott MSU offers guests both convenience and comfort as they explore Starkville, Mississippi. The hotel features over 15,000 square feet of flexible event space, 104 rooms, an onsite restaurant that serves breakfast and dinner, and other inviting spaces where guests can work or relax. The Courtyard by Marriott MSU is also onsite with The Mill Conference Center.

Starkville’s historic cotton mill, opened in 1902, now offers a premium and unique setting for special events, conferences, and weddings. The Mill was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, and has since undergone renovations to combine historical charm with modern amenities. The Mill Conference Center offers over 12,000 square feet of versatile event space that designates it as an exceptional venue to suit a wide range of occasions, making it a memorable choice for gatherings of all types.

We Value Your Feedback!

Thank you for attending the 2024 Fall Leadership Conference! We hope you found the sessions informative and engaging. Your insights are crucial for us to improve future conferences. Please take a moment to complete a brief survey by scanning the QR code below. Your responses will help us enhance the conference experience for everyone.

The Mississippi Collegiate/Postsecondary Student Organizations would like to extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to everyone who contributed to the success of the 2024 Fall Leadership Conference.

EXHIBITORS

Atmos Energy
Continental Tire
Cooper’s Creations
Do Good Leadership
Elegance On A Pedestal
Mississippi Farmers Network
Mississippi Public Broadcasting
United States Army
Volunteer Mississippi

PRESENTERS

Dr. Erin Eaton
Dr. Melinda Gann
Natasha Griffin, LPC, BC-TMH
Henry Moore
Vivian O’Neal
Tracy Gaddis Smith
Elise Wilson, M. A.

TOUR
Courtyard Marriott MSU at The Mill Conference Center

LOCATION
Communiversity
East Mississippi Community College

DECA STATE OFFICERS
Tres Jones – President
Kameron Wilson – VP of Communication
Brett Isaac – VP of Marketing

FBLA STATE OFFICERS
Fa’Darryl Cooper – President
Jaelen Hathorne – Parliamentarian