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.

Associate Director of Finance and Contracts

P: (662) 846-4904

E: lcswilley@deltastate.edu

Laquinna Benson is the Associate Director of Finance and Contracts for MS Delta GEAR UP Program. Laquinna Benson is a proud native of Greenville, MS. She earned her Associates Degree in Accounting from Mississippi Delta Community College in 2013.

With over 11 years of experience, Laquinna has excelled in various roles, including Payroll Administrator, Senior Bookkeeper, Finance and Accounting Clerk, and Federal Grants Coordinator.

Laquinna is committed to making a significant impact in the community and equipping students and families for their future endeavors.

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.

Program Coordinator

Foundations of Mid-South

P: (662) 816-8875

E: crice@fndmidsouth.org

Carlos Rice is the co-founder and Vice President of Education Programming for The Foundation for Southern Opportunity. Carlos has a background in audio engineering and music industry studies from Delta State University’s Delta Music Institute. Carlos has held roles as a Male Counselor with GEAR UP Summer Camp and served as a student assistant in Delta State’s Student Life organization. An advocate for youth empowerment, he was nominated Youth of the Year by the Boys and Girls Club of the Mississippi Delta and continues to drive educational programming initiatives across the region.

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.