2025 Executive Board

The Mississippi Early Childhood Executive Board is dedicated to nurturing the growth and development of our state's youngest citizens. Founded on the principles of education, advocacy, and connection, our mission is to ensure that every child in Mississippi has the opportunity to thrive in a supportive and enriching environment. Through collaborative efforts and strategic initiatives, we aim to address the diverse needs of children and families across the state.

Sheri Anders, President, East MS Community College, sanders@eccc.edu

Tunga Otis, Immediate Past-President, Amplify Education, tunga.otis@mississippiearlychildhood.org

Heather Martin, President-Elect, Mississippi State University, heatherbdmartin@hotmail.com

Tara Dickerson, 1st Vice-President, Mississippi State University, tdickerson@humansci.msstate.edu

Vacant – 2nd Vice-President

Wendy Faulkner, 3rd Vice-President, Union County School District, wfaulkner@union.k12.ms.us

Judy Prine, Secretary, Mississippi, Retired, judy.prine.18@gmail.com

Gena Puckett, SECA Representative, Graduate Center for the Study of Early Learning, gpuckett@olemiss.edu

April J. May, Fiscal Officer, Mississippi Early Learning Alliance, amay@msearlylearning.org

Daffeyn - Cobbins, District 1 Northwest Member at Large, Director of Little Saints Academy, dcobbins83@gmail.com

Heather Martin
, District 2 Northeast Member at Large, Mississippi State University, heatherbdmartin@hotmail.com

Mechelle Chane, District 3 Northwest Central Member at Large, Excel By Five, mchane@excelby5.com

Vacant, District 4 Northeast Central Member at Large

Leigh Sargeant, District 5 Southwest Central Member at Large, Tallahatchie Early Learning Alliance, leigh@wearetela.org

Cisley Barksdale, District 6 Southeast Central Member at Large, Mississippi State University, ctt58@msstate.edu

Jowanda Magee, District 7 Southwest Member at Large, Eva Gordon Lower Elementary, jowanda.magee@mississippiearlychildhood.org

Creola James, District 8 Southeast Member at Large, MSU Extension Service, jamescreola@gmail.com

Members - At - Large

District 1 Northwest Member at Large
Daffeyn- Cobbins

District 2 Northeast Member at Large
Heather Martin

District 3 Northwest Central Member at Large
Mechelle Chane

District 4 Northeast Central Member at Large
Vacant

District 5 Southwest Central Member at Large
Leigh Sargeant

District 6 Southeast Central Member at Large
Cisley Barksdale

District 7 Southwest Member at Large
Jowanda Magee

District 8 Southeast Member at Large
Creola James

 
 

Affiliate Presidents

Northeast Mississippi Early Childhood Association (NEMsECA) President, Bridget Robinson

Rankin Childcare Directors’ Association (RCDA) President, Beverly Peden