Grisham-McLean Institute for Public Service and Community Engagement

M Partner is a community engagement initiative improving quality of life by connecting university and community leaders to advance priority projects across the state. It supports credit-bearing courses, community service, research, internships, and technical assistance. A signature initiative of the Grisham-McLean Institute, M Partner empowers campus and community partners to fight poverty through education, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

The Catalyzing Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (CEED) Initiative works with students and faculty to build actionable partnerships with Mississippi communities. These partnerships inspire a sense of entrepreneurship in our scholars while promoting economic development in rural Mississippi communities. The CEED Initiative is funded with generous support from the Robert M. Hearin Support Foundation.

The North Mississippi VISTA Project (NMVP) is an AmeriCorps VISTA program where members serve full-time for a year, building capacity to fight poverty across 28 counties. NMVP supports community development through indirect service. The Grisham-McLean Institute has also received a planning grant from Volunteer Mississippi to expand educational excellence through direct service, aligning with its mission to fight poverty through education and AmeriCorps’ goal of strengthening communities.