Dr. Kathleen Grigsby, JPS Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Network I, has been reappointed to a second term as president of the University of Mississippi School of Education board of advisers.

Dr. Grigsby has been a member of the board since 2020 and has worked to strengthen connections between the university and K-12 school systems. During her first term, Grigsby launched the 123 Mentorship Program, designed to support the school's graduates during their first year in the profession. The model pairs participating graduates with an alumni mentor, emphasizes two-way communication and includes three structured check-ins per year.

Support continues beyond the first year, and the program connects alumni mentors with graduates across the country.

"The transition from preparation to practice is one of the most critical phases in an educator's career," Grigsby said. "This work is about ensuring our graduates are not only prepared, but supported, connected and retained wherever they serve."

Alumni leadership is central to the mission of the School of Education, said David Rock, the school's dean.

"Our alumni are among our greatest assets," Rock said. "Kathleen Grigsby's leadership exemplifies the impact of educators who continue to give back to the profession and to the next generation of teachers."

Grigsby earned her bachelor's degree in elementary education and her master's degree in curriculum and instruction from Ole Miss. She later earned specialist and doctoral degrees in educational leadership from Mississippi College.

Her career in K-12 education includes leading a school from an F rating to a C in three years, as well as guiding another school to an A rating for five consecutive years. That school was recognized as the top elementary school in Mississippi in back-to-back years.

Dr. Grigsby has also served on statewide and regional committees and mentored aspiring school leaders outside her day-to-day work in Jackson Public Schools.