(Clarksdale, Mississippi) – Kimberly Bee has worked with high school and college students at the institution for over two decades. As the Project Director of Educational Talent Search, a program in the Federal Programs Division under Research, Assessment, and Strategic Initiatives, she has been instrumental in securing federal funding for the institution for the TRIO program.
Mrs. Bee has also worked with regional officials, state leaders, board members, and presidents within the Southeastern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (SAEOPP) program, the Mississippi Association of Educational Opportunity Program and Personnel (MAEOPP), and the Emerging Leaders Institution (ELI). Her work with these leaders culminated into a significant moment in history.
Under MAEOPP’s President Michael Shears, the leadership program was rebranded and renamed as the Kimberly S. Bee Emerging Leaders Institute (ELI). This momentous occasion marks a new chapter in the program’s journey towards inspiring and cultivating strong leadership within MAEOPP and its participating State Associations.
The Emerging Leaders Institute is a year-long leadership development program that aims to foster leadership skills and cultivate professional growth among MAEOPP members. Participants in the program are given the opportunity to engage in professional development, networking, and hands-on experiences that will prepare them for leadership roles at various state, regional, and national levels. Through the ELI program, MAEOPP seeks to enhance the capabilities of its members and strengthen the overall association.
Congratulations are in order for Mrs. Kimberly Collins-Bee. She has an impressive track record of service within MAEOPP, having held various leadership roles such as MAEOPP State President, Vice-President, Conference Co-Chair, and ELI Leader. She has also been actively involved in other roles: serving on the SAEOPP Board, leading as an ELI committee member, and participating as a trainer at the SEAC (South Eastern Atlantic Trio Conference).
Each year, ELI participants are carefully selected from within MAEOPP programs to undergo training. Following the completion of the state-level program, participants are encouraged to further their leadership journey by taking part in regional training. The ultimate goal is to expand the reach of ELI training until all participants have had the opportunity to benefit from the program.
The renaming of the Mississippi Emerging Leaders Institute as the Kimberly S. Bee Emerging Leaders Institute signifies a new era of leadership development within MAEOPP. With Mrs. Bee at the helm, the program is poised to continue its mission of inspiring, empowering, and nurturing the next generation of leaders within the association.
This is an outstanding honor and attests to Mrs. Bee’s love and dedication to her students. Her leadership and dedication will continue to shape the future of TRIO and MAEOPP, and we look forward to the ongoing impact of the Kimberly S. Bee Emerging Leaders Institute.