G.V. Montgomery National Centerfor the Study of

Veterans’ Education Policy

Mississippi Entrepreneurial Alliance

Leadership and Education Programs

CommissionOn the Future ofEast Mississippi

and West Alabama

The Montgomery Institute

A non-governmental, not-for-profit [501(3)-(c)] organization built by RCCI leaders as a neutral convening, resourcing and managing vehicle to support strategic, economic, education, leadership, and workforce regional initiatives.

TMI honors the leadership legacy of former Congressman Sonny Montgomery.

The Montgomery Institute

2000The Montgomery Institute

Develop and Advocate Regional Partnerships and Solutions

2002Commission on the Future of East Mississippi & West Alabama

Critical Building Block for Regional Partnering/Competitiveness

Regionalism:New Approaches—New Partnerships

1990sStaggering Manufacturing Job Losses

• Strategy• Workforce• Networking• Economic

2006

The Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic DevelopmentAn Evolutionary Step Toward Our “Desired” Future

2004Mississippi Entrepreneurial Alliance

New Partnership and Delivery System – CJC

Regionalism:New Approaches—New Partnerships

Setting The Course

Regional Approaches and Infrastructure Development

• Leadership• Entrepreneurship• Research• Education

“Building the capacity of CC/JC’s”

The Concept

Rural community colleges are uniquely positioned to enhance economic and educational opportunities in their regions.

Trusted by the public, private and nonprofit sectors and valued by all social classes, they can provide a safe, neutral place for mobilizing community engagement.

In many communities, they are the only institutions with the stature and flexibility to provide leadership for regional development.

1. None of us is as smart as all of us.

2. Reject ideas – not people.

3. Deliberate – don’t debate.

4. Give up your ideas to the group.

5. Enlightened self-interest Regional Success

Our Guiding Principles

6. Things are the way they are

because they got that way.

7. We must balance what is “desirable”

with what is “doable” – but dare to dream.

8. To say that a program needs improving

is not an indictment of those who work in it.

Our Guiding Principles

9. It’s better to do something than nothing

while we’re waiting to do everything.

10. This could be the start of something

big!

11. Have some fun!!

Our Guiding Principles

Two Sustainable Regional Initiatives

The Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development

Invigorating Rural Economies: Mississippi Entrepreneurial

Alliance

“Connecting Mississippi Entrepreneurs”Building Mississippi’s Entrepreneurial Development System

One Community at a Time

Initial TeamInitial Team

SUPPORT & TRAINING DELIVERY & PROMOTION LEADERSHIP & CONNECTIVITY

MONTGOMERY INSTITUTE COMMUNITY/JUNIOR COLLEGES USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT

MEA NETWORKMEA NETWORK

Number Partners

15 Community Colleges (plus MACJC & SBCJC)

8 Universities

12 State/Regional Organizations

12 State, Tribal, Federal Entities

THE VISIONTHE VISION

An entrepreneurial Mississippi which generates prosperous, dynamic and sustainable communities that fully participate in the global economy.

THE MISSIONTHE MISSION

To energize and grow Mississippi’s entrepreneurial potential by developing entrepreneurs and providing assistance through partnerships and collaborations with individuals and organizations that are engaged in the study, practice, policy development, and services delivery of entrepreneurship.

GROWENTREPRENEUR

S

Enhance Education

& Training

Interconnect New & Existing

Resources

Develop Leadership

& Community Infrastructure

Build Delivery CapacityCommunity/

Junior Colleges

ContinuousImprovement & Evaluation

Universities

Our Economy

Our Communiti

es

GROWENTREPRENEUR

S

Enhance Education

& Training

Interconnect New & Existing

Resources

Develop Leadership

& Community Infrastructure

Build Delivery Capacity

Community/Junior Colleges

Improve ProgramEvaluation

Universities

Our Economy

Our Communiti

es

Identify, Recruit, & Assist Identify, Recruit, & Assist EntrepreneursEntrepreneurs

• Scout/Coaches Programs– Identify and recruit aspiring entrepreneurs– Coach and mentor existing entrepreneurs

• Networking Opportunities– Share ideas– Share best practices– Discuss markets– Build relationships and collaborations

Raise the Profile of Raise the Profile of EntrepreneursEntrepreneurs

• Community/Junior College Awards Programs

• State Entrepreneur Day

• Entrepreneur Spotlight Campaign

Create Future Create Future Generations of EntrepreneursGenerations of Entrepreneurs

• Linkage Between Education and Entrepreneurship

• Make Entrepreneurship Programs Available: K through 16

GROWENTREPRENEUR

S

Enhance Education

& Training

Interconnect New & Existing

Resources

Develop Leadership

& Community Infrastructure

Build Delivery Capacity

Community/Junior Colleges

Improve ProgramEvaluation

Universities

Our Economy

Our Communiti

es

Network Service ProvidersNetwork Service Providers

• “No wrong door/single point of entry”

• Facilitate listening sessions for service providers by Region

• Map Regional Assets

• Link Regional Assets– Website– “Common” Client Information Database

GROWENTREPRENEUR

S

Enhance Education

& Training

Interconnect New & Existing

Resources

Develop Leadership

& Community Infrastructure

Build Delivery Capacity

Community/Junior Colleges

Improve ProgramEvaluation

Universities

Our Economy

Our Communiti

es

WHY CJC’SWHY CJC’S

MISSISSIPPI’S COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM – The ideal delivery system for the MEA:

• Are geographically accessible to the people in all areas of the state;

• Have as a part of their mission economic & community development;

• Are deeply involved in economic development efforts;• Have a highly successful track record in economic development

activities;• Are headed by leaders who know that economic development

increases the tax base, thus helping the college as well as the county, state, and people

Advancing CJC’sAdvancing CJC’sEconomic Development MissionsEconomic Development Missions

No Involvement Reactive Proactive

WFDC Advanced Technology SBDC/MEA

Capacity Building

Role of CJC Entrepreneur Role of CJC Entrepreneur CentersCenters

• Facilitation– Enterprise development– Community development

• Technical– Entrepreneur training and education

GROWENTREPRENEUR

S

Enhance Education

& Training

Interconnect New & Existing

Resources

Develop Leadership

& Community Infrastructure

Build Delivery Capacity

Community/Junior Colleges

Improve ProgramEvaluation

Universities

Our Economy

Our Communiti

es

MEA TRAINING PROGRAMMEA TRAINING PROGRAMInitial Training for Center Directors

Basic Course for Directors (one week intensive)The complete instructional program designed to provide the Director with the information necessary to operate the Center

Orientation to Support EntitiesThe Directors will visit the support entities for an in-depth knowledge of their services

Annual TrainingFor Directors and one designee from each Center, updates, changes, new materials, Round Table Idea Exchange

Specialized TrainingTraining sessions provided on a needs basis and tailored to meet specific problems

Director Visits to Other CentersAn integral component of the training and networking of Center Directors, each Director visits another Center to observe the entrepreneurial program

MEA TRAINING PROGRAM

New Director TrainingNew Center Directors assuming their positions subsequent to the Initial Training for Center Directors are expected to complete a prescribed training experience within a limited time in order to hold their positions

GROWENTREPRENEUR

S

Enhance Education

& Training

Interconnect New & Existing

Resources

Develop Leadership

& Community Infrastructure

Build Delivery Capacity

Community/Junior Colleges

Improve ProgramEvaluation

Universities

Our Economy

Our Communiti

es

Build SustainabilityBuild Sustainability

• Partnership with USDA Rural Development; State-Wide Leadership

• Engage Partners in Regional Collaboration

• Strengthen Capacity of Community Colleges

Build SustainabilityBuild Sustainability

• Designate a Partner for Coordination, Support, Development, and Planning

• Creation of Regional Entrepreneur Advisory Groups

GROWENTREPRENEUR

S

Enhance Education

& Training

Interconnect New & Existing

Resources

Develop Leadership

& Community Infrastructure

Build Delivery Capacity

Community/Junior Colleges

Improve ProgramEvaluation

Universities

Our Economy

Our Communiti

es

Establish Benchmarks

• Develop Measurement Procedures

• Evaluate Progress – Share Results

• Use Evaluation Results to Improve Alliance

Building a 21st century workforce system of innovation and leadership through

community & junior colleges to unleash the region’s economic capacity.

Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development

Rural West Alabama/East Mississippi:At the Crossroads of Economic Transformation

WIRED Initiative Regional Economies

South Star Region

In Mississippi• East Mississippi Community College• Meridian Community College• East Central Community College• Jones County Junior College

In Alabama• Bevill State Community College• Shelton State Community College• Wallace Community College Selma• Alabama Southern Community College

South Star RegionEconomic Impact Zones

In Mississippi• East Mississippi Community College• Meridian Community College• East Central Community College• Jones County Junior College

In Alabama• Bevill State Community College• Shelton State Community College• Wallace Community College Selma• Alabama Southern Community College

Pulling Together—Moving Forward The Partnership/Leadership Team

Co-LeadersGovernors Riley & Barbour

Commission(9 Members)

Alabama Gov. Appoints 4 • Mississippi Gov. Appoints 4 • TMI President

Fiscal AgentAlabama OWD/ADECA

Operations ManagementThe Montgomery Institute

Workforce Delivery System8 Community & Junior Colleges

Advisory CouncilTaskforces of Partners & Members

ResearchAlabama & Mississippi University Coalitions

Bi-State Governor’s CommissionWest Alabama – East Mississippi Alliance

• Dr. Tim Alford — Director, Alabama Office of Workforce Development

• Dr. Wayne Stonecypher — Executive Director, MS Community & Junior Colleges

• Dr. Roy Johnson — Chancellor, Alabama College System

• Tommy Dulaney — President & CEO, Structural Steel Services

• Dr. John W. Covington — Superintendent, Lowndes County Schools, AL

• Wade Jones — President, East MS Business Development Corporation

• Vicky Locke — Project Manager, Black Belt Commission

• C. D. Smith — Regional Director, East Central MS, BellSouth

• Mike McGrevey — President, The Montgomery Institute

Networking A “Powerful” Collaboration

Partnering:Team Building Piece-by-Piece

GovernmentFederal (USDA-RD,

Dept. Labor, Commerce), State, Local, Agencies

Community BasedOrganizations &

Associations

Non-Governmental Organizations

InformalRelationships

Transforming and Networking Delivery Systems

Partnering:Team Building Piece-by-Piece

Economic Development

Education Systems

WorkforceInvestment

Partnering:Integrated Systems Approach to

Place, Knowledge & Asset-Based Innovation Building

GovernmentFederal (USDA-RD,

Dept., Labor, Commerce), State, Local, Agencies Community Based

Organizations &Associations

Non-Governmental Organizations

InformalRelationships

Economic Development

Education Systems Workforce

Investment

Alliance

Governor Riley & Governor Barbour

Goal 1: Build regional identity around a globally recognized, enterprise-centric workforce.

Goal 2: Build a globally recognized, regionally branded workforce by networking and enhancing existing delivery systems and program elements.

Goal 3: Integrate workforce, enterprise, industrial development, research, community and educational development into an innovative regional system.

Our Goals

WIRED – “The Catalyst”

Community Colleges

Credential Expanded Advanced Technology Skills

Develop Broad-based Leadership

Build an Integrated Entrepreneurial

Development System

Workforce Investment

Entrepreneurship Development

Civic Leadership Engagement

Building the Capacity to Grow the Region’s Economic InnovationSouth Star Region Commission

Goal 1Build regional identity around a globally recognized,

enterprise-centric workforce.

• Build the Team• Identify and Analyze Performance Gaps• Identify Market Opportunities• Provide Strategic Vision • Develop Diverse Regional Leadership

Learn to anticipate change and to manage it – instead of being a victim of it.

Cooperation Collaboration

Building Leadership, Trust and Structuresto Sustain Development of Regional Community

(around our assetsand needs)

(in development ofa plan to improve

infrastructure,innovation and talent)

(in implementing the plan to achieve the

region’s desired future)

Communication

Building the Team

OWD

Wag

ner-

Pey

ser

Dislocated W

orker

AIDT

DPE

DIR

Higher Ed

ES

LMI

K-12

TA

NF

TAA

Career EdYouth

WO

TC

Perk

ins

Job C

orps

Career Tech

Vets

ETA

DOL

WIA

DOEHH

S

HUD

ABE

CA

SA

S

AC

HE

GED

TA

BE

ESL

NEG

ES

EMILE

AC

SI

Rehab

DHR

How the System Seems to Be…

Career Tech

WOTC

Dislocated WorkerOWD

AIDT

DPE

Perkins

DIR

ES

LMI

ETA

TAA

TANF

K-12

Vets

HHS

DOE

WIA

DOL

ESL

GED

NEG

UI

ABE

HUDACSI

EMILE

CASAS

TABE

ESL

ACHE

Career Ed

Wagner-Peyser

Youth

Job Corps

Higher EdRehab

DHR

Working as a Team…

InadequateTalent

Cause of Gap

WHAT IS Performance Gaps WHATSHOULD BE

InadequateInfrastructure

InadequateCapacity for

Economic Innovation

Identify & Analyze Performance Gaps

Excellence Innovation

Impact

Driving Forces

Improvement Process

Plan

Do

Check

Act

1. Grant Proposal – Blueprint for building a regional, capacity building integrated system

2. Governance Structure Development

3. Conduct Analysis and REGIONALIZE Data

4. Assimilate and Build a Diverse Leadership Team

5. Construct a Detailed Business Plan

6. Train and Educate the Leadership Team

7. Execute the Plan

WFD

EducationEcon. Dev.

Strategic Vision & Market Opportunities“Talent Driving Prosperity”

Design and implement collaborative leadership structure – define roles, relationships, and responsibilities – be diverse

• Governance

• Operations

• Training

• Evaluations

Design a comprehensive, market-driven performance-based workforce development system that is based on labor market and asset analysis & serves as a vital resource which readily adapts to dynamic occupational and economic demands.

• Asset Mapping

• Regionalize Data

• Business Planning – energizing latent potential

Implementation

Fully integrate a regional (bi-state) workforce development system that unites education, economic and workforce development services into a streamlined delivery system

• Networks

• Technology

• Policy

Host Annual State-of-the-Region Summit

• Governor’s Convene

• Publish Annual Report

• Celebrate Accomplishments

Implementation

WhatIs

WhatShould Be

Leadership

Talen

t

Infra

stru

cture

Innova

tion

Social

Struct

ures

21st Century

Innovation Economy

20th

Century “Branch Plant”

Economy

Benchmarking

Trending

Develop DiverseRegional Leadership Team

Goal 2Build a globally recognized, regionally branded workforce

by networking and enhancing existing delivery systems and program elements.

• Strengthen and Expand Targeted (technology) Workforce Investment Capacities

• Create a Shared Network of CC/JC’s

21st Century Workforce Infrastructure

• Create Regional Workforce Credentialing System

• Brand It and Promote It

ECCC

MCC

JCJC

SSCC

BSCC

WSCC

ASCC

“Building Competitive Advantage and Capacity through Collaboration”

EMCC Regional

• Workforce Credentialing

• Centers of Excellence

• Brand It and Promote It

South Star Technology Network

Universities/ Research CentersCJC/Tech Centers

K-12 School SystemsBusiness/Industry

Goal 3Integrate workforce, enterprise, industrial development, research, community and educational development into

an innovative regional system.

• Create a Culture of Make a Job vs Take a Job

• Build an Entrepreneurial Development System

• Link Research and Entrepreneurial Capacities

• Sustain System of Continuous Innovation

Nurture engines of innovation and creativity – and don’t forget to make them accessible.

GROWENTREPRENEUR

S

Enhance Education

& Training

Interconnect New & Existing

Resources

Develop Leadership

& Community Infrastructure

Build Delivery Capacity

Community/Junior Colleges

Improve ProgramEvaluation

Universities

Our Economy

Our Communitie

s

South Star Entrepreneurial South Star Entrepreneurial NetworkNetwork

Entrepreneurial Development System

•Center Director at CJC•Network Manager

• Build a Globally Competitive Innovation Infrastructure

--Strategically positioned Workforce Investment and Economic Development Infrastructure

--Linked Research, Investment & Entrepreneurial Capacities

• World-Class Talent-Building System

--Credentialed

--Accessible

• Sustainable Replicable Model

--Community and Junior Colleges are poised to help America solve the looming labor shortage.

Outcomes

Rural West Alabama/East Mississippi:At the Crossroads of Economic Transformation

One Team — Many Dreams

South Star Region Entrepreneurial Network

• South Star Entrepreneurial Center of Excellence – Located at Each Community/Junior College

• Network Facilitator and Coordinator– Located at The Montgomery Institute

K-12 School SystemsK-12 School Systems

4 yr/ Post4 yr/ PostBacc.Bacc.

CCs/CCs/TechsTechs

IndustryIndustryWIBSWIBS

21st Century Integrated Workforce Investment System

“Creating a Workforce of Life-long Learners”

Our Partners