Executive Director

P: (662) 588- 9652

E: sdavis@deltastate.edu

Sha’Ketta currently serves as the Executive Director for Delta State University’s Mississippi Delta GEAR UP Partnership grant, where she provides strategic oversight for more than $15M and contracts for 10 school districts, 6 partners, and 12 service vendors. Her previous work as the Director of Mental & Behavioral Health Grants, Assistant Director & Compliance Officer for the Early Head Start Child Care Partnership, and Certified Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) Database Administrator for Delta Health Alliance, as well as Lead Case Management Technician for the United States Army have adequately prepared her for her current role.

Data Administrator

P: (662) 846-4904

E: ksratliff@deltastate.edu

Kenyatta Ratliff is the Data Administrator/ Administrative Assistant for MS Delta GEAR UP Program. Kenyatta currently holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Delta State University and received her Master’s degree in Child Protective Services from NOVA Southeastern University.

Partneship Coordinator

P: (662) 588-5424

E: rmalone@deltastate.edu

For the past 11 years I have worked in the public schools in the Mississippi Delta as well as the Golden Triangle Area. It has been my pleasure to serve the people in those communities by helping to get their children set up for success.

Associate Director of Programming

Foundations of Mid-South

P: (662) 816-8875

E: dledwards@fndmidsouth.org

Admired for his fearless leadership, impact on student learning, increasing educator effectiveness and advocating for all students, Dr. Darron L. Edwards is a trusted leader with a remarkable history of increasing student learning and enhancing communities. He believes all students deserves a high-quality education, from effective school leaders and educators, through a rigorous globally competitive curriculum that engages and promotes critical thinking and problem solving to ensure they are prepared for a global workforce.

Program Coordinator

Foundations of Mid-South

P: (662) 863-0490

E: lscott@fndmidsouth.org

Lamella Scott currently serves as Program Coordinator for the GEAR UP Mississippi Delta Partnership with the Foundation for the Mid South. Since starting her tenure in April 2022, she has provided support to various middle schools in the Mississippi Delta. Lamella spent the early part of her career teaching preschool and Family and Consumer Sciences at Yazoo City High School, before transitioning to her current role. Her primary responsibilities include supporting local efforts in school districts to enhance preparation for postsecondary education, as well as serve on each of the local advisory boards providing oversight to local GEAR UP implementation. She supports partner districts’ creation, implementation, and amendment of work plans; check all activities for pre-approval prior to reimbursement as a part of the internal finance process; and liaise with local coordinators to support their efforts to provide direct student and families services.

Social Media & Branding Manager

P: (636) 385-0047

E: erinngrady829@gmail.com

Erinn Grady is currently obtaining her Masters degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Nonprofit Management from Delta State University. She is working as a graduate assistant for the Mississippi Delta GEAR UP program. Her goal for this position is to increase awareness on multiple platforms to bring information to new students and parents interested in the GEAR UP program.