Outreach & Impact

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At the School of Leadership, our commitment to developing transformational leaders extends beyond the classroom through active outreach and community engagement. This page features current grants and initiatives that reflect our dedication to building innovative partnerships, fostering applied learning opportunities, and creating lasting impact at the local, national, and international levels. Stay connected for updates on our active grants and opportunities to collaborate.

Blue Economy Leadership Certificate Program

The Blue Economy Leadership Certificate (BELC), supported by a $750,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, is designed for leaders and high-potential employees in organizations tied to the blue economy along the Gulf Coast. This free program covers essential leadership skills, including employee engagement, mentoring, building trust, and change leadership, which are crucial for driving growth and development within the blue economy.

CMF Photo

Dr. Casey Maugh Funderburk

Principal Investigator
Associate Professor, Human Capital Development
casey.maughFREEMississippi

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Dr. Heather Annulis

Project Coordinator
Professor Emerita, Human Capital Development
heather.annulisFREEMississippi

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Dr. Joyce Powell

Budget Coordinator
Assistant Director, School of Leadership
joyce.powellFREEMississippi

BELC is designed for high-potential and existing leaders to

Develop competencies that positively impact Mississippi organizations and the blue economy.
Earn a badge that indicates competency development in leadership.

The School of Leadership has a strong reputation for offering quality professional and leadership development for public and private industries.

Must attend all parts of the four training sessions (28 hours of in-person course attendance).
Must attend four 1-day training sessions from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the assigned USM locations.
Must complete competency assessments post-training sessions.
Must complete training evaluations post-training sessions.

We are currently accepting applications for our second cohort of the Blue Economy Leadership Certificate program. The deadline for applications is July 11, 2025, at 5 p.m. (CST).

Apply Here 2025-2026 Program Flyer

In the video below, take an inside look at the BELC program through the voices of participants and facilitators, along with footage from one of the dynamic, hands-on sessions that bring the program to life.