Jackson State University and the University of Mississippi’s women’s council have collaborated for nine years to develop a rapport to benefit students and the universities.
In 2007, the Ole Miss Women’s Council for Philanthropy helped develop a similar organization at JSU. Then on, the groups have strengthened each other, building on their relationship.
Recently, council members came together on the University of Mississippi’s Oxford campus and shared best and promising practices, gained insight on the structure and execution of their respective programs, and discussed the coordination of student scholarships.
“The meeting provided the opportunity to emphasize the importance of women working together in higher education in the state of Mississippi to benefit our students and universities,” said Gwendolyn Spencer Prater, chair of the Women’s Council for Philanthropy.
Interaction between councils
Meredith Creekmore of Jackson, a founding member of the council said she feels the same because “growth occurs from the interaction between the two councils; friendships are developed; and ideas are shared. This recent collaboration gave both the Jackson State and the Ole Miss women’s councils the opportunity to develop a rapport that will be ongoing.”
While each of the councils is unique, they share a common organizational structure and mission. Managed by an accomplished team of female leaders and philanthropists, the councils provide students with scholarships for tuition and books, as well as guidance and training in leadership skills, career development and personal growth.
“This was an exciting opportunity to come together as sister organizations to share our programming ideas and discuss our current and long-term goals for creating the most effective ways of supporting the outstanding students we are privileged to have as our scholars,” said council chair Mary Haskell.
By working together, the UM and JSU women’s councils focus on philanthropic opportunities for their respective institutions and students. The partnership provides insight on how each council operates within its bylaws, how members participate on various committees to promote philanthropy, and how to enhance each council with new ideas and strategies for promoting philanthropic giving and activities.
Development of life skills
The council began Feb. 14, 2000, with a group of philanthropic-minded women committed to providing endowed scholarships for its council scholars and guiding them into their careers. They also helped with the development of life skills through the leadership-mentorship program.
Seven years later, the Jackson State University Development Foundation Women’s Council for Philanthropy was officially established. Evangeline Robinson, now assistant professor of integrated marketing at Ole Miss, was instrumental in starting the JSU program when she worked there as the executive director of Institutional Advancement.
“I immediately thought it was exactly what we needed at Jackson State to get more women involved. I introduced myself to Ellen and that started the conversation,” Robinson recalled. She also added that Ellen Rolfes helped start the Ole Miss council. Along with Rolfes, Creekmore and Gloria Kellum, then-vice chancellor for university relations at Ole Miss, worked jointly to initiate JSU’s council.
Haskell stated, “Our councils share an important bond, in that Meredith was inspired to share the mission of our council with this group of remarkable women, and so then served as a founding member of the JSUWC in 2007.”
With expectations that the two groups will meet annually going forward, Creekmore said, “I think it’s a great collaboration for Ole Miss and Jackson State.”
For information on the Jackson State University Development Foundation Women’s Council for Philanthropy, visit https://www.jsums.edu/wcphilanthropy/. For more information on the Ole Miss Women’s Council, visit https://omwc.olemiss.edu/