UTICA – Having a solid life plan is no easy task for high school seniors. For most, majors will change several times before their first day of college; but for some like Kevin Shuler, their roadmap is paved and they are ready to drive into the next chapter of their lives. Shuler, a Crystal Springs native, is a Raymond High School senior who plans to enter «Ӱҵ’s Utica Campus in the fall.
Kevin Shuler, a senior at Raymond High School, shares his educational and life plans with Crystal Thomas, director of Student Housing at «Ӱҵ CC Utica campus during the “See Ya at the U” preview day Feb. 16.
“I plan to attend «Ӱҵ in the fall and would like to major in drone aeronautics or computer science,” Shuler said. “I then plan to enter into the National Guard so that they may pay for additional college credits after I graduate from «Ӱҵ.”
Shuler, along with hundreds of high school students from Jackson and surrounding areas, received information packets on classes and organizations offered at «Ӱҵ CC Utica Campus. Students also viewed live demonstrations, played games and received free lunch and door prizes while making their way from booth to booth at the “See Ya at the U” preview day Feb. 16.
Information booths representing financial aid, housing, admissions, student services and student intervention were just a few that were available to students. The annual recruiting day gives students an opportunity to see the college first hand, speak with staff and interact with current students on campus. Some students were open to all facets of the process, but a few came more focused in their explorations.
Callaway High School senior and dual enrollment student Alexandria Baker of Jackson has hopes of attending «Ӱҵ in the fall and believes the Utica Campus’ unique STEM-UP program is the right path to take her to her next level.
“I’m planning a career in criminal justice,” Baker said. “I would like to be an FBI agent because there are so few women agents around. I like what «Ӱҵ’ STEM-UP program has to offer, so it’s at the top of my list. I also like Mississippi College and Louisiana State.”
Students were not alone in their quest for information. The event was also well attended by parents and educators looking to provide guidance to their students. Murrah High School Interventionist Lisa Wilson attended the event with her students, hoping to provide assistance to those overwhelmed by the process.
“I felt it was important to be with my students during this time of transition. So many times students do not know exactly what to do in an environment such as this one and it can be a bit much to handle. I’m here to help them as needed,” Wilson said.
«Ӱҵ CC Utica Campus offers a recruiting day yearly and welcomes students from high schools statewide.
As Mississippi’s largest community college, «Ӱҵ is a comprehensive institution offering quality, affordable educational opportunities with academic programs of study leading to seamless university transfer and career and technical programs teaching job-ready skills. With six locations in central Mississippi, «Ӱҵ enrolls about 12,000 students each fall semester. To learn more, visit www.hindscc.edu or call 1.800.«ӰҵCC.
Job Corp students Kendall Morrow of West «Ӱҵ County and Tionne Howard of Gulfport chat with «Ӱҵ CC Building Trades Instructor, Leonard Knight about Carpentry options as a major at «Ӱҵ CC Utica’s “See Ya at the U” preview day held Feb. 16. Both students have an interest in working with their hands. Morrow would like to one day own a business in carpentry, while Howard prefers welding.
Murrah High School senior Key Keith tries is hand at Plinko during «Ӱҵ CC Utica’s “See Ya at the U” preview day held Feb. 16. Keith attended the event in hopes of narrowing his college search down to one. He would like to major in business and hopes to someday own is own business.
Dr.Tyrone Jackson, vice president of «Ӱҵ CC Utica campus takes time to meet and greet area high school students at the “See Ya at the U” preview day Feb. 16. Shown with Raymond High School senior Jimmy Smith, Jr. Smith has plans to attend «Ӱҵ in the fall of 2018 and would like to major in auto body collision and computer programming.
Jackson native and Murray High School senior Tionna Virgin, 17 attended the “See Ya at the U” recruiting event with her school’s Interventionist, Lisa Wilson. Wilson also of Jackson (shown on the right) felt it was important to bring her students so that they may experience college life first hand.
Callaway High School senior Alexandria Baker of Jackson is a dual enrollment student who attended “See Ya at the U” held Feb 16. on the Utica campus. Baker plans to major in criminal justice and one day become an FBI agent. Baker, shown at the STEM-UP table with freshman student worker Hezekiah Williams of Edwards, is motivated by a lack of female agents and would like to make her mark in the field.