Lee Completes Mississippi Community College Policy Fellows Program

Pictured (left to right): Dr. James “Ed” Davis, Co-Director, Mississippi Community College Policy Fellows Program; Kell Smith, Executive Director, Mississippi Community College Board; Chris Lee, Dean of Student Services, MDCC; Tyson Elbert, Co-Director, Mississippi Community College Policy Fellows Program

Christopher Lee, Dean of Student Services at Mississippi Delta Community College (MDCC), recently completed the Mississippi Community College Policy Fellows Program (CPFP), joining a growing group of state leaders committed to advancing policy and advocacy for Mississippi’s community college system.

Lee officially completed the yearlong program on May 20, 2025, as part of the 2024-2025 CPFP cohort.

Throughout the fellowship, participants engaged in monthly sessions centered on leadership, networking, policy, and advocacy. The program culminated in a capstone experience in Washington, D.C., where fellows met with Mississippi’s congressional delegation, staff members, and national leaders in higher education policy.

“One of my most significant takeaways from being a part of the Mississippi Community College Policy Fellows Program was the enhanced understanding of policy development and legislative processes within Mississippi and Washington, D.C.,” said Lee. “The program demystified how decisions are made at the state and national level and, crucially, how those decisions impact community colleges in Mississippi directly. This insight has been invaluable in my current role, allowing me to anticipate potential shifts, understand the rationale behind new initiatives, and strategically position our student services to adapt and thrive for the well-being of our students.”

Lee’s completion of CPFP follows his 2024 graduation from the Mississippi Community College Leadership Academy (MCCLA), where he deepened his knowledge of servant leadership, institutional challenges, and opportunities specific to Mississippi’s community college system. These back-to-back accomplishments underscore Lee’s commitment to advancing student success and institutional progress at MDCC and across the state.

The CPFP program, sponsored by the Mississippi Community College Board in partnership with the Washington, D.C.-based AdvocacyBuild, has existed in Mississippi since 2012 and includes over 120 alumni. Lee joins a growing list of MDCC leaders who have completed the fellowship, including current MDCC President Dr. Steven Jones and Vice President of Effectiveness and Enrollment Dr. Ben Cloyd.

Fellows are nominated by their college’s president and selected to represent one of the 15 institutions in Mississippi’s community college system.