University of Mississippi

When Sandip Rai made a list of possible graduate schools, his factors included location, program courses, community and eligibility. After a Zoom meeting with staff at the University of Mississippi's Center for the Study of Southern Culture, Rai felt the support and hospitality win him over. "Additionally, the courses offered were unique compared to other programs I had applied to, which were more focused on technical aspects of filmmaking," Rai said. "The M.F.A. in Documentary Expression was a program that I had never seen offered by other universities."

Most seniors at the University of Mississippi get hugs and congratulations when they cross the graduation stage. Keunte Hill, of Oxford, got a hallway full of cheering, smiling faces. Hill, a university studies major at Ole Miss and full-time father and husband, has for the last year also been mentor, inspiration and a listening ear to students at Lafayette Upper Elementary School, where he works as a custodian. On May 10, those students lined the hallways to cheer and congratulate him on earning his bachelor's degree with an emphasis in marketing.

Tishira Atkins is the ultimate team leader. The Tupelo native learned this skill in the Mississippi National Guard and used it throughout her time as a student at the University of Mississippi. Atkins, who graduated in May with a degree in general engineering, joined the military during high school in 2017 and remains active. She became an air traffic controller and credits the experience with giving her important life lessons that helped her get through college.

California native and first-generation college student Miguel Zamora coasted his way through undergraduate studies at California State University at San Bernadino, earning a bachelor's degree in kinesiology and a concentration in allied health. He landed a job as a lifeguard at a local water park, but Zamora's love for the water led him to enroll in graduate school at the University of Mississippi, where he received a full tuition stipend and a job at the Turner Center's natatorium. "Originally, I came to campus recreation under aquatics, then I took some time to define what I wanted to do within higher education," he said.

Ask Andy Flores how his life has changed since he enrolled as a freshman at the University of Mississippi and he will answer, "a lot." From his modest beginnings in Ocean Springs, the public policy leadership and philosophy major has emerged one of the most accomplished graduating seniors in the Class of 2023. Among the achievements and honors Flores is most proud of is being named a Harry S. Truman Scholar in 2022.

Jori Isenhower earns diploma 20 years after graduating from high school.

Rabria Moore receives prestigious internships, accolades.

Emmaline Schild reflects on opportunities created by leadership endowment.

Doctoral graduate Imdadul Khan contributes to discoveries and new knowledge.

Raegan Gourley's path in special education shaped by powerful experiences and education.

Ashley Wingo goes from stopping fights to staging them.

Heidi Myers wills her way through a semester with cancer.

Abdullah Alqahtani plans to use his Ole Miss education to better society in Saudi Arabia.

While most 18-year-olds are preparing for their first semester of college, Cambria Chatman has already graduated and joined the United States Air Force.

Millie Eubanks to begin career at Toyota.

Allyson Hopper concentrates on community and effecting change.

Doctoral graduate Cellas Hayes excels in STEM and aims to pay it forward.

Campus support helped Casiah Watson face life challenges and come out on top.

Taylor Medalist Rhonda Brown no longer running from school, but running toward her dreams.

Jilkiah Bryant focuses on leaving a lasting impact as a Truman Scholar.

Annabelle Harris' love of classics and English shape honors thesis and her future.

Mississippi long-haul trucker Leroy Kirkendall completes college degree through C2C program.

Mentors shaped Stamps Scholar Jaylin Jones for success.

Matt Knerr excelled in every aspect of university life and beyond.

More than 3,100 students graduated from the University of Mississippi in May 2023. Undergraduate and graduate candidates received degrees from the College of Liberal Arts, General Studies and schools of Accountancy, Applied Sciences, Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Journalism and New Media, Law and Pharmacy.

One man's journey taken with the steadfast support of his wife. Growing up in Red Banks as one of 11 children, school was not a priority for Jamie Cox. He attended the Holly Springs public schools and worked odd jobs. His focus was never his assignments or school work.

In high school, Abby Newton spent a summer working alongside people with disabilities. It cemented her career path, but her journey wasn't direct. Newton knew she wanted to advocate for people with disabilities. She thought a career in lobbying or nonprofits was on the horizon, so she spent her first two years at the University of Mississippi studying public policy.

Exercise science major juggles work, school, family and a desire to help others. Thomas Riddle is a busy man. Between working three jobs, he makes time to be a loving cousin, brother and son, create music, earn his graduate degree from the University of Mississippi and, most importantly, make people smile.

Ember Suh discovers passion and path to STEM career.

Three University of Mississippi doctoral students and two postdoctoral researchers have been selected as SEC Emerging Scholars. The 2023-24 scholars are doctoral students Adam Beam, of Mira Loma, California; Miguel De Leon, of Houston, Texas; and Purnima Narayan, of Pimpri, Pune, Maharashtra, India; and postdoctoral researchers Jenny Cocciardi, of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania; and Mike Xue, of Nanjing, China. Southeastern Conference provosts established the SEC Emerging Scholars program in 2021 to aid in preparing future faculty members. The program, which gives special attention to top scholars from historically underrepresented groups, provides professional development and networking opportunities for doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers who are considering careers in higher education.