JACKSON, MS – October 2025 – Propel Education Forum, an affiliate of the Mississippi Economic Council (MEC), today announced it has been awarded a $20,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation’s State Giving Program. The funding is designated to support the continued sustainability, expansion, and development of the Forum’s key educational programs: Mississippi Scholars, Tech Master and Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR).
Mississippi’s economy has shifted significantly from a low-skill, low-wage base to a middle-skill economy where well-paying jobs require advanced technical skills, effective communication, and creative problem-solving. These programs are vital for equipping the state’s high school graduates with the necessary credentials to enter this evolving workforce.
The Mississippi Scholars program encourages students to undertake a rigorous, college-preparatory Course of Study, specifically emphasizing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) curriculum.
The Tech Master program, which sets specific standards for a technology-focused course of study, was created to directly improve the state’s workforce readiness. Combined, these programs have recognized over 70,000 high school graduates.
The Propel Education Forum also administers the long-running Students Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) program, which has recognized more than 20,000 students and their selected teachers since 1965 for outstanding academic and ACT test achievement.
This grant was part of the Walmart Foundation’s commitment to creating opportunities through better education and job skills training, reinforcing the shared goal of building a stronger future for Mississippi’s youth and workforce.
To learn more about Mississippi Scholars, Tech Master and STAR, contact Vickie Powell, Senior Vice President of Foundations at (601) 969-4418 or email vpowell@msmec.com.