USM president speaks to West Harrison High students

High school seniors ready to start the journey to college received some key advice today from one of the state’s leaders in higher education.

Graduation is coming up fast for seniors like Tuende Seymour. However, with the help of her teachers and a talk from one of the state’s leaders in higher education, she feels like she is ready to soar into college. “Since I have all these courses I’ve taken in high school and I can start off early in college that just makes me feel like my college experience will be much smoother.”

West Harrison seniors accepted to Southern Miss received a special visit from USM President Dr. Rodney Bennett and he talked about what they can expect as they transition to the next chapter of their lives. “We are preparing young people across the state to take their rightful place in positions of leadership across our state and I think higher education is certainly an important way to accomplish that goal.”

Fellow Senior Levi Fore plans to study criminal justice in college. He says the president’s talk on things like Southern Miss’ study abroad programs and scholarships have opened his eyes to new opportunities for the next chapter of his life. “It showed that, like, it’s not as hard as it has to, like it’s not too hard to do. I have a lot going on right now with other classes, but they’ve basically showed that just a little time on a Sunday afternoon can put you a lot further with money involved.”

Following a round of questions from the students and a fun photo opportunity, Dr. Bennett says he’s encouraged by this group of Golden Eagles. “I have no doubt that the kids that are coming from the Coast are ready to do college-level work and certainly ready to graduate from USM in four years.”