FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 17, 2026
Yazoo City Municipal School District continues to lead with purpose, innovation, and impact! Over the past several years, the district has intentionally leveraged GEAR UP’s college- and career-going culture resources through targeted professional learning with Vela Institute, ongoing internal reflection using the Patricia McDonough College-Going Culture Rubric, and student focus groups conducted in partnership with Vela to enhance student outcomes and expand postsecondary opportunities. The result is a strong and sustainable college- and career-going culture across the district.
That work is now earning national recognition.
As a result of these intentional efforts and their measurable impact, GEAR UP has selected Yazoo City Municipal School District to present at the National NCCEP Conference in Washington, D.C. this July. Representing the district, Dr. Sharon Brown, Yazoo City High School Principal, and Ms. Romeka Mack, Yazoo City Municipal School District’s Director of Accreditation and Accountability/District GEAR UP Liaison, will co-present alongside partners from Vela Institute and GEAR UP.
Their session, “Nine Facets, One Culture: The Blueprint for a Thriving Career- and College-Going Culture,” will highlight Yazoo City’s strategic approach and the results of its commitment to ensuring every student is prepared for success beyond high school.
This national recognition reflects a collective, districtwide effort driven by visionary leadership and strong collaboration.
The district’s success is strengthened through collaboration with Get2College and the Mississippi Delta GEAR UP Partnership and supported by Dr. Earl Watkins, Interim Superintendent, and Dr. Sametra Brown, Assistant Superintendent, whose leadership has helped sustain and prioritize this work.
The district’s success is also supported by the YCHS administrative team, with special recognition to Dr. Gregory Washington, Assistant Principal at Yazoo City High School/YCHS GEAR UP Site Coordinator, whose leadership has been instrumental in advancing these efforts. Additional contributions from district leaders have further strengthened this work, including Dr. RoeNina Bolton, Dean of Climate and Culture, who has coordinated and planned numerous collegiate exposure opportunities, and Ms. Yolanda Strong, Larry Summers Career and Technical Education Center Director, whose efforts have been key in connecting students with professionals and postsecondary institutions to support future planning.
From vision to the national stage, Yazoo City Municipal School District is demonstrating what’s possible when purpose drives the work—and others are taking notice.