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Systems Change Lab – Mississippi State University

Systems Change Lab - Mississippi State University

Helping our clients make transformational changes that address complex societal problems

  • Who We Are
  • What We Do
  • Projects & Products
  • How it Works
  • About Systems Change
  • Contact Us

Who We Are

The Systems Change Lab is a team of multi-disciplinary research scientists, associates, and staff who address complex societal problems through data collection and analysis, policy research, training/education, facilitative practices, and systems change methodologies, including collective impact.


Housed at the Social Science Research Center (SSRC), SCL projects use the multifaceted resources of the SSRC, such as the Survey Research Laboratory, to address issues of early childhood, structural inequities, public health, education, and other topics.

The SSRC reports to both the Division of Agriculture, Forestry, and Veterinary Medicine and the Office of Research and Economic Development on MSU’s campus.

Faculty, Staff, and Student Workers

Heather Hanna

Heather Hanna

Director, Systems Change Lab
Associate Research Professor

Dr. Hanna is the director of the Systems Change Lab (SCL). She facilitates funder and partner relations; administers project budgets; manages personnel; and oversees project design and implementation, including creation of project goals and timelines.

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    Laure Bell

    Laure Bell

    Project Coordinator III

    Laure Bell supports the efforts of the SCL through research activities and a variety of communication endeavors. These efforts include data visualization, social media and website content management, digital newsletter creation, report writing, material dissemination, and more.


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      Dustin Brown

      Dustin Brown

      Assistant Professor

      Dr. Brown contributes social demography expertise and data research tool development and analysis to the SCL projects.


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        Melissa Luckett

        Project Manager

        Melissa Luckett serves as program manager within the Systems Change Lab at the Social Science Research Center. She is currently working on projects focused on early childhood care and development.

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          Emily Jennings

          Undergraduate Student Employee

          Emily Jennings is an undergraduate student at Mississippi State University. She supports the SCL with research and authentication of resources for early childhood resource maps.

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            John S. McCown

            Research Associate III

            John McCown supports the grant activities of the SCL in the areas of data science. He leads and contributes to efforts designing research tools and analyzing and managing collected data.

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              Gina Rico Mendez

              Assistant Research Professor

              Dr. Rico Mendez contributes to SCL as researcher focused on applied systems-level inquiry. She brings expertise in policy analysis, evaluation, and social systems research to support project design, implementation, and strategic learning. She engages in efforts to translate complex data into actionable insights and contributes to cross-thematic initiatives within SCL’s applied research portfolio.

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                R’riuna Moore

                Undergraduate Student Employee

                R’riuna Moore is an undergraduate student at Mississippi State University, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Biological Sciences with a Pre-Medicine concentration. She supports the SCL with research and communications efforts.

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                  Callie Poole

                  Callie Poole

                  Project Manager

                  Callie Poole supports the SCL director through coordinating internal and external project meetings and overseeing deliverables. Callie also contributes through qualitative and quantitative research activities, report writing, and the facilitation of systems and policy change efforts.


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                    Nell Valentine

                    Nell Valentine

                    Project Director

                    Nell Valentine supports SCL project efforts with qualitative data research and visualization. Nell also contributes to report writing and research.

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                      Affiliates


                      Sujan Anreddy

                      Sujan Anreddy

                      Assistant Research Professor

                      Dr. Anreddy serves the SCL as a computer specialist. He provides support to SCL grant projects through the development of databases, dashboards, data analyzation, and more.

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                        Connie Baird-Thomas

                        Connie Baird-Thomas

                        Associate Director of SSRC Policy Studies and Evaluation and Research Group (ERG)

                        Dr. Baird-Thomas contributes to the SCL in the role of a lead qualitative and quantitative researcher. Dr. Baird-Thomas shares her experience by overseeing specific grant workgroup projects and deliverables and contributing to the creation and design of grant activities.

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                          Bradley Long

                          Bradley Long

                          Project Manager

                          Bradley Long supports the SCL through various grant activities including developing and implementing qualitative and quantitative research efforts, project activity coordination, and other essential tasks.

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                            Lisa Long

                            Lisa Long

                            Project Director

                            Lisa Long serves as a project lead for several early childhood grant projects, including early childhood-focused Project ECHO projects. Lisa oversees the planning and implementation of those grants.

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                              Heather Martin

                              Heather Martin

                              Project Manager

                              Statewide Mind in the Making and Vroom® Coordinator
                              Heather Martin serves as the statewide Mind in the Making and Vroom® Coordinator for Mississippi. Heather shares information on early childhood brain development through these programs.

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                                Systems Change Lab logo

                                The Systems Change Lab is a division of both the Office of Research and Economic Development and the Division of Agriculture, Forestry, and Veterinary Medicine at MSU and receives support from the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Experiment Station.

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                                scl@ssrc.msstate.edu     (662) 325-7961     1 Research Blvd., Suite 207, Mississippi State, MS 39762

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