Local Educator Joins Regional Leadership Class, Boosts Community Partnerships

The University of Tennessee at Martin announced the WestStar Leadership Program Class of 2026 this week following a welcome meeting and reception on November 10. Among the cohort drawn from 16 West Tennessee counties is Amanda Creasy, who serves as director of Extended Learning, Resources and Partnerships with the Decatur County Board of Education. The program will continue with seven additional learning sessions leading to graduation in June.

WestStar brings together a cross section of local business, government and nonprofit leaders to develop regional leadership capacity. For Decatur County residents the immediate significance lies in the addition of a local education leader to a network equipped to coordinate across sectors. School systems are often central to community health and social supports, and a representative in a regional leadership program can help bridge schools with health providers, social services and economic development partners.

Participation in the seven session program creates opportunities for sustained collaboration rather than a single meeting. Through shared learning and relationship building, local leaders can identify priorities such as school based mental health supports, after school enrichment that addresses food insecurity, career pipeline programs for health care and social service jobs, and coordinated emergency response plans for vulnerable households. In rural counties like Decatur, where resources are more limited and distances to services can be long, these kinds of partnerships may translate into more efficient use of grant funding, better coordination of mobile health services, and improved access to preventive care and supports for families.

The regional nature of the cohort also matters for public policy. When education leaders participate alongside business and government representatives, they gain exposure to policy levers and funding mechanisms beyond the school budget. That shared perspective can influence local advocacy around state funding for school health programs, transportation solutions for students, and workforce development incentives that attract health professionals to rural communities.

While the WestStar curriculum focuses on leadership development, its practical impact will be measured by the projects and partnerships that participants pursue after graduation. For Decatur County, Amanda Creasy’s role offers a pathway to amplify local needs within a broader regional conversation, and to pursue collaborative solutions that address social determinants of health and educational equity.

Residents and local organizations should watch for announcements about community initiatives that stem from the program and consider how to engage with school led partnerships that aim to expand services and supports across the county. The cohort’s work through June will shape what regional priorities move forward in the coming year.