Mississippi’s next generation of leaders is sitting in its classrooms today. MCPP’s student leadership programs are built to find them, equip them, and give them their first taste of real responsibility.
Students learn the economics and civics every leader needs — how a free economy works and how our system of self-government is designed — and then put it to work: leading debates, making the case in front of their peers, and taking on roles in public service.
Whether you’re leading a debate for the first time, developing your leadership at the Summit, or gaining practical experience in government, there’s a leadership opportunity for you.
Learn to lead in economics and civics.
The Liberty & Leadership Roadshow is a free leadership program that brings interactive economics and civics education directly to Mississippi high schools. Students explore free markets, voluntary exchange, the rule of law and the Bill of Rights — and then lead the debate themselves.
Bring the Roadshow to your school
Develop your potential. Discover your influence.
The Liberty & Leadership Summit brings together engaged Mississippi high school students for an immersive educational experience focused on leadership, economic freedom, and the principles of liberty.
Explore the Summit
Put your leadership into practice.
Liberty Internships provide opportunities for promising young Mississippians to gain firsthand experience in government and public service, develop professional skills, and explore the institutions that shape Mississippi.
Explore internshipsFrom discovering new ideas to gaining practical experience, MCPP offers opportunities for Mississippi students to learn, lead, and grow.
Explore free-market principles through interactive educational experiences.
Deepen your understanding of economic freedom and develop leadership skills.
Gain firsthand experience in government and public service.
Explore potential opportunities for continued professional development and national fellowships.
This pathway describes a series of opportunities students may choose to pursue. Participation in one program does not guarantee advancement to the next or any placement.
A leadership program in economics and civics for Mississippi schools.
Now scheduling visits for 2026–27The Liberty & Leadership Roadshow is a free leadership program that introduces Mississippi high school students to the principles of free markets, economic freedom and self-government through engaging presentations and interactive activities.
Students explore how trade, entrepreneurship, voluntary exchange, the rule of law, and the decisions made in economics and civics influence their lives and communities.
Students don’t just listen — they lead. Working in teams, they make the case on each side of real policy questions, debate them with their peers, and build the confidence to speak up. The Roadshow brings economics and civics concepts to life through real-world examples and collaborative learning.
The Roadshow is free. Rather than relying solely on lectures, it uses short presentations, games, simulations, and student-led debate to help young people understand how a free economy and a free society work in everyday life.
New civics requirement
Mississippi’s new civics law requires every public and charter school to teach civics from eighth grade. Instruction must be nonpartisan, with an emphasis on the Bill of Rights, the separation of powers and federalism, and “free speech and civil discourse, using historical references, congressional and public debates, including current public policy issues.” The Roadshow brings those debates into your classroom, with your students leading them — at no cost, with materials and facilitation provided.
Liberty & Leadership Roadshow curriculum
A full Liberty & Leadership Roadshow consists of five short sessions built around foundational ideas in economics and civics, with students leading the discussion in each.
Session 1
How can millions of people who have never met cooperate to produce something as ordinary as a pencil?
Civics linkClose reading of a primary text
Session 2
How do prices communicate information and coordinate the decisions of consumers and producers?
Civics linkDebating a current public policy issue
Session 3
Why does ownership matter, and what role do stable rules play in economic prosperity?
Civics linkThe Bill of Rights: the Fifth Amendment
Session 4
Why do people trade, and how can voluntary exchange benefit both sides?
Civics linkSeparation of powers: who sets tariffs?
Session 5
How do profit, loss, innovation, and entrepreneurship encourage people to create value for others?
Civics linkCritical thinking: the seen and the unseen
Students examine the ideas, test them in exercises, and lead the debate on both sides. They are encouraged to ask questions, consider competing arguments, and apply the principles of economics and civics to real-world issues.
Liberty & Leadership Roadshow
Students don’t simply listen to presentations. Activities ask them to work through economics and civics concepts themselves and lead the discussion of real policy questions — for example, what happens when prices are capped following a hurricane, or who bears the costs of a tariff.
The standard visit. MCPP can also condense the program into a class period, block, assembly, or another format that fits your schedule.
Sessions are led by MCPP President & CEO Douglas Carswell together with guest academics from Mississippi universities.
The format follows the Free Market Roadshow model delivered in schools across Texas and Alabama.
Every visit closes with a short structured student evaluation, shared with the host school.
Mississippi high-school students — economics, government, and civics classes, as well as civics clubs, National Honor Society chapters, student councils, and any student ready to lead.
No cost to the school or students.
Develop
Developing Mississippi’s next generation of leaders.
The Liberty & Leadership Summit offers engaged Mississippi high school students an opportunity to deepen their understanding of economic freedom, leadership, and the principles of liberty.
Through educational presentations, discussions, and opportunities to connect with fellow students, participants explore the ideas and responsibilities that shape effective leadership.
The Summit builds upon the educational foundation introduced through the Liberty & Leadership Roadshow and provides opportunities for continued involvement.
Details of the next Summit will be posted here when they are announced. For more information in the meantime, contact Elle Herrington, Liberty Outreach Coordinator, at elle@mspolicy.org or 601-969-1300.
Experience
Turning knowledge into experience.
The Liberty Internships initiative offers promising young Mississippians opportunities to gain practical experience in government and public service.
Through potential placements in the offices of statewide elected officials, participants can develop professional skills, explore careers in public policy, and gain firsthand insight into the institutions that shape Mississippi.
The internship initiative is designed to build upon the educational and leadership opportunities offered through the Liberty & Leadership Roadshow and Liberty & Leadership Summit.
For teachers
Bring economics and civics education to your classroom.
The Mississippi Center for Public Policy works with educators across the state to provide educational experiences and resources that introduce students to the principles of economic freedom and civic life.
Through the Liberty & Leadership Roadshow, economics and civics education workshops, and classroom resources, MCPP seeks to support teachers in helping students understand the principles of economics and civics that shape their communities and futures.
Discover opportunities to learn, lead, and make a difference in Mississippi.
Whether you’re a student interested in leadership and public service or an educator looking to bring economics and civics education to your school, MCPP wants to help you take the next step.
