ITTA BENA, Miss. — (Sept. 30, 2025) — Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) has been awarded $279,000 by the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) to support its role in the Mississippi Teacher Residency (MTR) program, a statewide initiative designed to prepare highly qualified teachers for critical shortage areas across the state.
The grant will provide tuition, books, testing fees, mentoring stipends, and other supports for MVSU participants pursuing licensure in Elementary Education (K–6) or Special Education Mild/Moderate (K–12). In return, participants commit to teaching in Mississippi’s geographical shortage areas, directly addressing one of the most urgent needs in public education.
“We are proud that Mississippi Valley State University is continuing to play a vital role in strengthening the teacher pipeline in Mississippi,” said Theresa Dumas, Ph.D., Associate Professor/Acting Department Chair, Education & HPER Department. “This investment allows us to prepare, support, and retain future educators who will make a lasting difference in classrooms and communities across the state.”
MVSU is one of nine institutions of higher learning selected to share in $2,968,855 in grant funding awarded by MDE to expand the MTR program. The statewide initiative will support up to 236 teacher residents through its partner institutions.
The Mississippi Teacher Residency program is part of the state’s broader strategy to recruit and retain effective teachers. Since its launch in 2018, MTR has provided hundreds of aspiring educators with tuition support, classroom experience, and mentoring opportunities, while creating a reliable pipeline of teachers for schools in greatest need.
Mississippi Valley State University has a proud tradition of preparing educators who are both academically strong and community-focused. Through its teacher preparation programs, MVSU equips graduates to lead classrooms with skill, compassion, and cultural awareness, ensuring that Mississippi’s students are taught by qualified, passionate professionals.
MTR Partner Institutions and Grant Awards
- Delta State University – $280,000
- Jackson State University – $272,417
- Mississippi College – $119,684
- Mississippi State University – $1,298,981
- Mississippi University for Women – $140,000
- Mississippi Valley State University – $279,000
- University of Mississippi – $242,773
- University of Southern Mississippi – $196,000
- William Carey University – $140,000
This investment is part of a broader statewide strategy to expand the teacher pipeline and retain high-quality educators across Mississippi.