Filled with a passion to serve her community, Dr. Trina N. George has spent much of her career providing assistance to her fellow Mississippians and individuals nationwide. Her career includes decades of service working to develop rural communities and increase economic development opportunities in Mississippi.
She began her career in public service in the nonprofit industry, working with youth programs, health care projects, and GED programs for adults and youths statewide. Later, she worked in the Office of
Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02) as a field representative, District Office Coordinator, and Special Projects/Community Outreach and Development Coordinator. This experience allowed her to directly engage and support the surrounding communities of western Mississippi, assisting constituents with rural housing, water and wastewater, and infrastructure needs.
Her hands-on experience collaborating with federal, state, and local governments to develop rural communities prepared her for the historic appointment as the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development (USDA) State Director for Mississippi in 2009 during the Obama Administration, becoming the first woman and the first African American woman to be appointed to this position. One of her many accomplishments is administering programs that resulted in the distribution of more than $5 billion in federal loan and grant funds to rural communities in Mississippi.
Through her many years of service, Dr. George has proven herself a valuable leader, an important asset, and crucial partner for the State of Mississippi. She has received recognition and accolades from various organizations, including the USDA Organization of Professional Employees for her leadership, innovation, and energy towards furthering the Secretary of Agriculture’s StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity and Cultural Transformation initiatives. Her StrikeForce concept and program was used as a model throughout the nation. She also received statewide recognition from the Mississippi Business Journal as one of the 50 Leading Business Women in Mississippi.
In addition to her dedication to public service, Dr. George has served as a President of the Parent Teacher Association, AmeriCorps volunteer, lifetime member of the Girl Scouts of America, and an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She is the proud parent of three children, all of whom are serving their country in the Armed Forces.
Dr. George earned her Ph.D. from Walden University in Public Policy and Administration. She holds a master’s degree from Mississippi State University and a bachelor’s degree from Mississippi Valley State University. She also has a Specialized Certification in Creating Collaborative Solutions: Innovations in Governance from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Executive Education, and a Professional Certificate in Management and Leadership from the NeighborWorks Training Institute of America in Washington, D.C.
