Vicksburg-Warren School District Superintendent Dr. Toriano Holloway has been elected to the Mississippi Association of School Superintendents’ (MASS) board of directors.

MASS recently approved a new slate of leaders during its summer convention. Celebrating its 55th anniversary, MASS is a nationally recognized coalition that provides training and mentoring programs for educators throughout Mississippi that advocate for improved public schools. By appointing board members from school districts statewide, the organization ensures that all regions are represented and have a voice in shaping the future of public education in Mississippi, MASS officials said.

“With a 27-year career invested in public education, Holloway will work with fellow directors to build a world-class education system for Mississippi by ensuring that education leaders statewide have access to high-quality, state-of-the-art training and professional development programs,” MASS officials said in a statement.

The board also works to ensure MASS remains a strong voice for Mississippi’s public schools through awareness, advocacy and engagement efforts with members of the state Legislature, the Mississippi Department of Education and other groups.

“Dr. Holloway’s leadership and expertise are critical in our vision to build a top-tier education system to move Mississippi forward,” said Dr. Phil Burchfield, executive director of MASS. “Our board represents experienced leaders who understand the challenges facing our school districts and the best path forward to improve public schools in Mississippi.”

Board members meet routinely and participate in networking, training and mentoring activities year-round. By proactively engaging with elected officials and policymakers, MASS leaders ensure that the statewide education community has input into legislation that impacts public schools.

“Through outreach and coalition-building efforts, MASS has successfully advocated for higher teacher pay, stronger certification standards, improved hiring and recruiting practices, and other strategies to strengthen Mississippi’s teacher workforce,” MASS officials said.