Ole Miss Public Health Professor Named W.K. Kellogg Fellow
Tess Johnson to build leadership capacity while advancing youth mental health initiatives in Mississippi
OXFORD, Miss. – University of Mississippi professor Tess Johnson looks to enhance community, wellness and leadership skills as she starts a new fellowship in the W.K. Kellogg Leadership Network.
The WKKF Community Leadership Network with the Center for Creative Leadership is a program that helps leaders connect, grow and lead change so that all children and families thrive.
Johnson, an instructional assistant professor in public health in the School of Applied Sciences, was selected as one of the 80 fellows throughout the country, including priority locations of Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, New Orleans and Tribal Nations. She is one of 18 fellows in Mississippi.
"Dr. Johnson is most deserving of this fellowship due to her program planning, community building skills and enjoyment of helping others," said Allison Ford-Wade, chair of the Department of Public Health.
The 18-month fellowship offers professional development and leadership coaching, peer networking and practical experience. It emphasizes leadership self-mastery, systems change, community engagement and leading in place.
"I was drawn to the program because of its focus on helping individuals grow and lead collaborative, transformational change on behalf of children, families and communities," Johnson said. "It aligns with my values as a public health educator, community partner and mother working to improve outcomes for children and adolescents in Mississippi."
Johnson has been making an impact in the Oxford community by helping with students' mental health literacy. She has worked with teens at the Boys and Girls Club and at Oxford High School in health and allied health classes.
From her work, the Ole Miss educator has learned what teens need when it comes to their mental health.
"The main components they identified were social media, peer groups, overall stress and then sleep," Johnson said.
Johnson provides students with resources and tips on how to deal with these issues to help them improve their mental health and, in turn, overall health.
The new skills gained during the 18-month fellowship will allow Johnson to continue to make a difference.
"While she is already involved, acquiring additional skills will not only help our local community but has the capacity to help the state of Mississippi," Ford-Wade said. "Her passion for improving the health of others around her is evident in her teaching and research."
Johnson brings an exceptional level of authenticity, enthusiasm and follow-through to her work, said Marie Barnard, associate professor of pharmacy administration and public health.
"She is not only deeply committed to improving conditions for children and families, but also fully prepared to take advantage of leadership development opportunities and translate them into tangible community benefit," Barnard said.
Johnson said the fellowship will allow her to continue helping young people.
"Since I have already been doing that with mental health literacy, I felt like it was a great next step of gaining some tools on my end to help amplify those voices so that I can be a strong advocate for the youth and the families in the community," she said.
As a fellow, Johnson aims to build more self-efficacy in her leadership skills and develop tools that help her lead side by side with community members.
"I also hope to expand my network of like-minded leaders and translate that learning into tangible outcomes: stronger youth-led mental health initiatives, increased mental health literacy, reduced stigma and more supportive school and community environments," she said.
"Ultimately, I want this growth to ripple outward, benefiting the students I teach, the youth I partner with and the communities I serve."
By Marisa C. Atkinson
