Judy Nelson is currently the Executive Director in the Office of Federal Programs at the Mississippi Department of Education, joining the department in 2017. She has over 19 years of experience in public education. She has served in various educational roles such as classroom teacher, academic coach, federal programs director, and superintendent. Mrs. Nelson has earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Mississippi Valley State University, Master of Elementary Education and Education Specialist in Educational Administration and Supervision from Delta State University, and is currently pursuing her doctoral degree from William Carey University.