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Dr. Sara Harper received the 2024 Dr. Ruthie Smith Stevenson Doctoral Award from Mississippi College on October 25, 2025, recognizing her contributions as Principal of McWillie Elementary School in the Jackson Public School District

McWillie Elementary, the only public Montessori school in Mississippi, has consistently maintained an "A" rating under Dr. Harper's leadership since 2013, ranking in the top five percent of schools statewide with over 400 students enrolled plus 300 in early childhood programs

Dr. Harper holds degrees from Millsaps College (bachelor's in elementary education), Jackson State University (master's in counseling), and Mississippi College (specialist's and doctoral degrees in educational leadership)

Additional honors include Mississippi Congressional District 2 Administrator of the Year, Jackson Public School District Administrator of the Year, and McWillie Elementary School Teacher of the Year

Dr. Harper serves on the Mississippi Department of Education Principal Advisory Council, as a principal coach for Jackson Public Schools, and as a board member of Leadership Greater Jackson