Suzanne Cain of the Newton County School District and Jamey Germany of the Lauderdale County School District are among 14 educators from across Mississippi to make up the 10th cohort of the Principal Corps, the University of Mississippi’s elite program in K-12 educational leadership.

Over the past decade, the program has produced 107 graduates, nearly 90 percent of whom are serving in leadership roles in school districts in Mississippi and beyond.

In June, the group gathered for the first time at UM to begin the 13-month program. The Principal Corps program comprises both graduate coursework in educational leadership and two full-time internships during the fall and spring semesters, which allow recruits to gain hands-on leadership experience under the supervision of experienced mentors.

Rounding out the 10th class of the Principal Corps are Miranda Bishop of the Jackson County School District, Luke Daniels of the Petal School District, Katherine Gilbert of the Pascagoula School District, Megan Duff of the Okolona School District, Lisa Hadden of the Rankin County School District, Chander Jenkins of the South Pike School District, Matthew Magee of the George County School District, Dana Maharrey and Kama Smith of the Tupelo Public School District, Precious Malembeka of Jackson Public Schools, Jaimie Tiblier of the Biloxi School District and Kristin Walters of the Laurel Public School District.

Many Principal Corps recruits will complete their internships near their home school district. Internship placements are located across the state. During the academic year, Principal Corps participants come to Oxford for coursework one week each month.

Cain, a 15-year educator who has taught choral music at Newton County High School for 12 years, said Principal Corps not only will help her in her pursuit to become an administrator but also will provide other ways to serve as an educator.

“It is Mississippi’s top program for training principals,” Cain said. “I just want to have an opportunity to become an administrator, and to serve and touch the lives of children in Mississippi at a different level.” Germany also considers participation in Principal Corps as an opportunity to grow as an educator and to make a difference.

“Principal Corps gets to the heart of education and leadership and has changed my future,” said Germany, who for the last five years has worked as an English Language Learner teacher for grades fifth-12th in the Lauderdale County School District. “I’ve been working in education 16 years. Principal Corps has given me a great opportunity to grow and see things in a different light.”

Graduates will earn either a Master of Education or Specialist in Education degree in educational leadership from the University of Mississippi. This degree, along with passing the School Leaders Licensure Assessment, will qualify them for a school administrator’s license.

The Principal Corps offers one of the most valuable leadership scholarships in the country. All cohort members receive full tuition, books and housing while at Ole Miss.

Besides earning an advanced degree in educational leadership, graduates receive a $10,000 bonus from the program upon accepting a principal or assistant principal job in a Mississippi public school and beginning work. Each graduate makes a five-year commitment to stay in Mississippi.

The new cohort members have impressive credentials and diverse educational backgrounds. Many hold advanced degrees, national board certifications and have already taken a leadership role within their schools.

Before being accepted into the program, all recruits must receive an endorsement from their superintendents. They also must write three essays, completed their Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and submit three letters of recommendations.

The Principal Corps was established in 2009 with funding from the Jim and Donna Barksdale Foundation. The program is also supported with funding from the Robert M. Hearin Support Foundation in Jackson.

• Additional story information provided by Ole Miss Public Relations.