June 3, 2025
CMI2 Expands ILLUME Program to Mississippi
When you find something that works, you don’t just sit still; you build on it. We’re doing that by expanding our CMI2 ILLUME Program to Mississippi.
After seeing incredible results with our partnership with Clay County Schools, we’re bringing the same hands-on, STEM-focused opportunity to Jefferson Davis County, Mississippi.
ILLUME, short for Innovating, Learning, Leading, Uniting, Making, and Experimenting, gives students real-world, hands-on experiences in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). It’s designed to spark creativity, build confidence, and prepare the next generation to tackle challenging problems and innovate for the future of national security.
We kicked things off on May 28, 2025, with a big community event at the Historic Prentiss Institute, and the energy was incredible.
What makes this even more exciting is that Jefferson Davis County isn’t just any spot on the map. CMI2 has a strong connection through our Chairman, Major General (Retired) Buford “Buff” Blount, a native of nearby Bassfield, Mississippi.
In an interview with WDAM Channel 7 News, MG Blount talked about the impact of the ILLUME program.
“We’re doing this in Clay County, West Virginia, right now, very successfully going into its third year,” Blount said. “I saw how successful that was there and thought, why can’t we do that here in Mississippi, and why not in Jeff Davis County?” Blount said.
Moreover, the area is the heartbeat of a growing regional workforce network, connecting industries across Lamar, Marion, Covington, Lawrence, and Simpson Counties in the Magnolia State. Think of it like a hub with spokes reaching out across the region, with Jefferson Davis County right at the center, leading the way in workforce training and skills development.
CMI2 is setting up students and communities for real, lasting impact by adding the ILLUME program in Mississippi.
Key to Our Success
Our success didn’t happen overnight. It’s been years in the making, starting with the launch of ILLUME in 2022 in Clay County, West Virginia, and building the program here. In 2023, CMI2 expanded the program offering thanks to the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation’s support to develop a hands-on, experiential learning, technology, and innovation-focused curriculum for high school students.
Most recently, throughout the 2024–2025 program year, the CMI2 team rolled up their sleeves and got to work, contributing more than 700 hours of STEM support engagement throughout the community across various activities. From camps and workshops to leadership conferences and mentoring sessions, CMI2 staff showed up to inspire and guide students at every turn.
Here’s a glimpse of what that looked like:
- Community-based STEM camps
- School-based STEM workshops
- Leadership and career development conferences
- Hands-on technology demonstrations
- Long-term mentoring and coaching programs
By investing our time and expertise, we helped open doors for students in communities that don’t always have easy access to cutting-edge STEM education.
Why It Matters
As we expand the program offering into Mississippi, we believe that innovation shouldn’t have a zip code and that every student, no matter where they’re from, should have the chance to dream big and build the skills they need to succeed. ILLUME is more than just a program; it’s a launchpad for future scientists, engineers, and problem-solvers who will drive innovation for years.
We’re just getting started in Mississippi, and we can’t wait to see the amazing things these students will accomplish.
Our CMI2 mission is to bridge critical gaps in defense innovation by developing real-world, end-user-focused solutions. Through collaboration and community engagement, we’re creating new opportunities for students and innovators to be part of the future of national security.
