Archive for the ‘Student Profile’ Category

Grove Scholar Profile: Brittney Banks

Posted on: March 15th, 2023 by

By Jared Redding, M.A. in Journalism

Brittney Banks, Class of 2023

Growing up in McComb, Mississippi, Brittney Banks had an interest in studying science thanks to the mentoring she received from one of her teachers at North Pike High School.

However, the biggest hurdle in accomplishing her goal was being able to aﬀord that education. The Grove Scholars program and the Ole Miss Opportunity Scholarship gave her the chance to chase her dream of studying in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) field. Banks applied, and her application was soon accepted.
It was a special moment for her, as a first-generation college student.

“My mom was crying. My mom is a single mother. I have five siblings. It was amazing, honestly. Just getting that packet in the mail and to know that I had everything paid for. They were all excited for me and I was myself because I didn’t know how I was going to be able to pay for school. When they offered me, I just knew I was going to be able to make it to where I wanted to be,” Banks said.

As a Grove Scholar, Banks got the opportunity to acclimate to a college environment sooner and to connect more deeply with the University community.

Banks originally majored in chemistry while part of the STEM program, but she says she has found her future career in Allied Health Studies with a minor in psychology.

Banks plans to attend graduate school at the University of Mississippi and to pursue a master’s degree in Counselor Education, with an emphasis in clinical mental health. Her plan is to become a licensed professional counselor and make a difference in her community back home.

“I have an internship with someone in McComb and I got to shadow over there and work with the programs they host a lot. It drove me to get more active in that community,” Banks said. “My sister saw it as a need in my community for counselors like me, African American. I’ve conducted interviews before about what’s holding African Americans back from seeking counseling. Because they feel like there’s not enough counselors that look like them. There’s a need in that community and I want to fill it.”

Banks has looked back fondly at her time in the Grove Scholars program at the University of Mississippi, from the moment she stepped foot on campus. Her advice for future Gove Scholars is to make use of all the resources available and to be proactive in forging good relationships with others on campus.

“Learn how to ask for help. Have a support system, because that’s what’s going to get you through things. It’s helped me with my many opportunities here. Learning how to use those resources that you have, like free math tutoring, chemistry, help desk, the career center. Just learn about them and how to make use of those. If you don’t know how to help yourself and don’t know where to look to get the extra help, ask for it,” Banks said. “If you go home too much, you’ll never make Oxford home. Try to stay here as much as possible. Get out of your dorm room, go do stuff, go find friends and make it Oxford the place you want to be.”

Grove Scholar Profile: Harry Hall

Posted on: March 15th, 2023 by

By Allie Watson, MA in Journalism

Born and raised on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Harry Hall always knew he wanted to help others.

The University of Mississippi sociology major is looking forward to putting both his major and a minor in psychology to use once he graduates.

“Psychology is so fascinating to me. I enjoy learning why people are the way they are. I also love to learn and know interesting facts,” Hall said.

After graduating from St. Martin High School in Ocean Springs, Hall knew he wanted to experience an in-state, four-year university. Hall settled on the University of Mississippi, located five hours from home, before ever stepping foot on campus.

Once he arrived, Hall said Dr. Gray Flora, who oversees the Grove Scholars Program, made him feel at home from the start.

“Dr. Flora welcomed us to campus and not only gave a tour of campus but even took us around the Square. He helps us schedule our classes each semester, and he walks with us around campus according to our schedules, so we know where to go,” Hall said.

Hall encourages those interested in joining the Grove Scholars program to apply.

“Grove Scholars gave me a community here at Ole Miss. It truly helps me feel more like part of the university. It has given me so much,” Hall said.

Now a senior, Hall says there were times, early on, when he wanted to give up.

“But my parents and Dr. Flora encouraged me to keep at it. I am glad I did,” Hall said.

Hall plans to join a training program with the Biloxi Fire Department to work as a medic after graduation.

“I just want to make a difference and help people.”

Grove Scholar Profile: Trynica Wash

Posted on: March 15th, 2023 by

By Jaylin R. Smith, MA in Journalism

“I believe I have a calling to be here,” Grove Scholar Trynica Wash said.

A first-generation college student from Newton, Mississippi, Wash is a senior majoring in Allied Health and minoring in African American studies. With aspirations to become a pediatric nurse, Wash wants to provide medical resources to children in underserved communities.

Attending the University of Mississippi was an easy choice for Wash. She said she was drawn to the institution by the beautiful scenery and the plentiful resources. Though Wash said she was originally anxious about coming to the university because it has struggled with race-related issues over the years , she said she found a home in groups and organizations like Mortar Board, FASTrack, MOST and Grove Scholars. These programs helped mold Wash’s academic and social experience at the university.

Being a Grove Scholar has allowed Wash to be a role model for other students that want to attend the University of Mississippi.

“It gives me joy seeing students like me, look up to me,” she said.

In addition to her nursing courses, Wash’s minor in African American studies has helped her nurture an interest first sparked by her experience in high school debate. She won an award for her discourse on the ideological differences between Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois, which focused on the concept of educational emergence.

“I want to use education to stand out rather than fit in,” said Wash.

Through the community of her cohort, the devotion of mentors and the academic resources in the program, Wash said Grove Scholars works to ensure her success throughout the entire college experience. She said her story is evidence that the University of Mississippi is working diligently to create equitable opportunities for students that have been historically marginalized.

As Wash looks forward to graduating this May, she is awaiting her acceptance into the South Oxford Center Nursing School.

Grove Scholar Profile: Corbin Cadigan

Posted on: March 15th, 2023 by

Ole Miss Grove Scholar Soars to Success

by Delila Nakaidinae, MA in Journalism

Corbin Cadigan had big dreams when leaving the Mississippi Gulf Coast for college. Traveling from the beaches of Biloxi, Mississippi all the way to Hotty Toddy land, the lifelong Ole Miss fan is now only a few months away from graduating.

“It has definitely been a long, bumpy road along the way, just because you have to get used to the transition from high school to college,” said the mechanical engineering major.

In his years at the University of Mississippi, Cadigan has mastered the art of balancing not only school and fun, but also his duties in a number of campus organizations. He is a member of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity, the University of Mississippi Rocket Team, the National Society of Leadership and Success, the Student Accessibility Coalition, Gamma Beta Phi and Phi Sigma Theta Honor Societies.

“The things I do vary during the semester depending on how much free time I have between classes,” said the 21-year-old Cadigan. “I like playing basketball and hanging out with friends and with my fraternity brothers.”

After graduation, Cadigan plans to work in the profession of his dreams as an aerospace manufacturing engineer at Northrop Grumman’s Northeast Mississippi location.

“I’ve always been interested in aerospace and NASA,” he said. “When I was in high school, I toured the Stennis Space Center facility back home and being able to go there a few times to kind of get an understanding of what aerospace and NASA is about really got me interested in being part of that.”

While reflecting on his years as a Grove Scholar, Cadigan’s best advice for incoming students is to get in on the action right away.

“Start out early over the summer by taking some classes to get your college experience going. It’s a great way to make friends and be part of the Grove Scholars for the rest of your four years,” he said, “being around these people means that you have a really close, core group and you start out with friends already.”

Grove Scholar Profile: Jatoni Donelson

Posted on: March 15th, 2023 by

By Eva Luter, MA in Journalism

Growing up in Tchula, MS, a tiny town with just under 1,500 residents, Jatoni Donelson saw what happens when people can’t get proper medical care.

“Being from a rural area, I know that there’s always a great need for healthcare. Since I grew up in the small town that I did, I got to see a lot that I would want to change in rural healthcare, and that’s why I want to be in the medical field,” Donelson said.

Donelson, a junior at the University of Mississippi, is currently majoring in public health sciences with an emphasis in community health, and a double minor in psychology and sociology.

“I feel like coming to Ole Miss was one of the best decisions that I could’ve made. I got my first job here, I’ve made so many great friends and connections and I love all of my classes here as well,” he said.

Donelson has been very active during his time at Ole Miss – he is the Vice President of the Black Fashion Society, a Career Ambassador for the Ole Miss Career Center, a mentor for an Mississippi Outreach to Scholastic Talent (MOST) initiative and a proud member of the Baptist Student Union and Men of Excellence group. He attributes the privilege of being a Grove Scholar to his success in college.

“Being a Grove Scholar is so awesome,” he said. “It’s put me in a group of people with similar majors and backgrounds like mine that I never would have met before I became a Grove Scholar, and I know that I’m not alone.”

He went on to say, “In college, it’s all up to you and what you make of it, but sometimes people don’t have that choice. And with the Grove Scholar program, it gives people like me the option to not only go to college for free [in conjunction with the Ole Miss Opportunity Scholarship], but also to study abroad and to take that dream internship. I’m so thankful for all that Ole Miss has given me,” Donelson said.

Donelson not only wants to be in the healthcare field, but also is a budding entrepreneur. He recently launched a clothing brand called “Not For The Socials,” where he handmakes and designs custom tapestries, hoodies and sweaters.

Donelson is on track to graduate with his degree in public health sciences in May 2024.

Grove Scholar Profile: Chandler Tolbert

Posted on: March 15th, 2023 by

By: Hayden Wiggs, Journalism Graduate Student

Chandler Tolbert of Philadelphia, Mississippi, graduated in December 2022 with a B.S. in Allied Health Studies. He’s now working as a patient care technician in the intensive care unit at Anderson Regional Medical Center in Meridian.

When Tolbert first decided to go to college, he said he was looking for schools that would allow him to create lasting friendships while also receiving a top-notch education in a STEM-related field. He said he was attracted to the University of Mississippi “by its distinguished curriculum, beautiful campus, and the community [that] it serves.”

Tolbert was accepted as a UM Grove Scholar, a rigorous academic program that provides STEM and health-related majors with career and research opportunities while promoting “personal growth and comradery.”

Tolbert said he found himself pushed to new heights in the program, and he credits the Grove Scholars with not only helping him make new friends and creating a wide network of “reliable colleagues,” but also helping him to make the most of his time at the university.

“I joined Grove Scholars to surround myself with people with similar aspirations and a mentor who would help us achieve those goals and help with any problem we encountered,” said Tolbert. “It also gave me the opportunity to attend graduate school. I would tell any prospective student that my experience at Ole Miss would have never been the same without the Grove Scholars.”

Outside of his role at the Anderson Regional ICU, Chandler enjoys songwriting as a way to destress after long days in a demanding environment.

“Songwriting endows an outlet in which I can reflect upon past life events in order to deepen my understanding of them,” he said.

Tolbert is actively applying to medical schools and hopes to be accepted for the 2023 fall semester.

Grove Scholar Profile: Maya Clay

Posted on: December 2nd, 2022 by

Maya Clay

— By Bailey Durfey, M.A. Higher Education, class of 2023

The start to Maya Gaberil Clay’s college journey was a bit different. After graduating high school in May 2019, Maya was packing up to attend basic training starting her military career while others prepared to start college. After returning to her hometown of Louisville, MS, from basic training, Maya recounts being home for 14 days until the world essentially shut down from Covid-19. However, this did not stop Maya from beginning her college career. Maya began summer school classes that following June and has been in school ever since working for her degree in Allied Health.

Maya’s father is a big part of why she is passionate about becoming a nurse. Maya remembers in detail how nurses made a large impact on her experience with her father’s illness. They always took the time to comfort and explain anything to her family about how her father was being treated. Prior to his death, her father always wanted Maya to open her own clinic and finish her degree. She is determined to fulfill his wishes. Maya also revealed that kidney disease and hypertension runs in her family, so she says, “If I can advocate for someone, help find a cure, help make people feel better, or educate someone,” on these impactful diseases, then she will feel satisfied with her medical career.

In addition to passion for family, Maya has a passion for taking care of our troops. Whether on the battlefield or home front, caring for our troops so they can get back to their families motivates Maya to serve as a medic for the National Guard.

After attending the MOST conference at the University of Mississippi, Maya realized that Ole Miss was her place. After being asked why she loves the University, Maya explains, “Ole Miss is home. The people here really take care of you.” Her involvement with Grove Scholars not only provided her with a community, but is also helping her finish her degree earlier than anticipated. She stated that the continued support of Dr. Flora has made a large impact on her and allowed her to make connections that are helping her achieve her goals.

Along with being a Grove Scholar, Maya is involved in many on and off campus organizations. She is a member of Esteem and the UM pre-nursing society. She holds positions as the membership recruitment and retention co-director for the Black Student Union, the standards chair for the University of Mississippi Gospel Choir and the treasurer for the Student Veterans Association.

After finishing her degree, Maya hopes to attend nursing school and one day open her own clinic. She wants to open free clinics in rural areas of Mississippi to provide healthcare for people who need it the most. Maya is enthusiastic to begin her healthcare career and plans to live by this quote as she works towards her goals, “Help as many people you can, in every way you can, while you can.”

Grove Scholar Profile: Shalini Patel

Posted on: December 2nd, 2022 by

Shalini Patel

— By Bailey Durfey, M.A. Higher Education, class of 2023

Shalini Ashok Patel, a native of Oxford, MS, is a Psychology and Spanish double major with two minors in Chemistry and Neuroscience. After graduation, Shalini plans to attend medical school with the goal to become a neurosurgeon. Back when she began thinking about her future in healthcare, she did not know much about mental illness. After learning of her aunt’s diagnosis of schizophrenia, Shalini reflected on the lack of knowledge surrounding the disease and felt called to research more about the illness. After diving into schizophrenia research, Shalini became fascinated by how mental illness lacks physical effects observed by the normal eye. As she continued to learn, she found holes in information and research surrounding mental illness, holes she wants to fill in with her own research.

Back in high school, Patel had the opportunity to shadow in a few departments within the hospital. When speaking about her experience shadowing different surgeries in the hospital, she said, “I never wanted to leave.” She found it exciting and fun, and immediately realized that she wanted to be surgeon.

When Shalini first came to college, she had no idea what to expect, and was worried about how she was going to do. Thankfully, Grove Scholars provided an opportunity for her to take classes at the university in the summer before her freshman year. This experience allowed her to understand what college classes were like and see how they were structured. When asked about this experience, Shalini says, “I was very grateful to take the college classes before school started, and it gave me a head start into understanding how to be successful in college.”

Shalini credits FASTrack, Grove Scholars, and Jumpstart throughout her collegiate experience, describing how the continued support and encouragement influenced her time at the University of Mississippi. Not only did the faculty and staff help her through her first year and beyond, but she also found a tight knit community with the Grove Scholars. She was able to make friends before school even began and those relationships have continued throughout her time on campus.

Along with being a Grove Scholar, Shalini is a member of the homecoming committee for SAA, a Teaching Assistant for Biology 103 labs, an NSLS member, a Provost Scholar, the treasurer for the Psychology Club, a Biology 160 & 162 mentor, and works at the National Center for Physical Acoustics. She also has been the social event chair for Women in Cybersecurity, ASB freshman council member, a RASA peer mentor, and has worked at the Diversity and Community Engagement Center at UM. When Shalini reflects on her time as a student here, she is filled with gratitude at being able to be a part of the Grove Scholars family. With graduation looming in May, she is eagerly anticipating beginning medical career and see what the world has in store!

Grove Scholar Profile: Jon’na Bailey

Posted on: November 4th, 2019 by

Jon’na Bailey

— By Paris Payne, Journalism ’21

Growing up in the small town of Pickens, Miss., Sophomore Jon’na Bailey has always longed to outgrow her tiny setting. With only a handful of medical professionals in the area and most of them being Family Nurse Practitioners. Bailey decided to put her all into becoming a pediatrician.

Jon’na Bailey’s determination drove her throughout high school and continued on into college.

Bailey has been coming to the University of Mississippi campus ever since 2012 when her brother attended the university. In addition to following in her brother’s footsteps, the welcoming environment and smiling faces helped solidify Bailey’s decision to attend Ole Miss.

“It’s just always felt like home. Everybody was so welcoming. When we came for my brother’s orientation, people were constantly helping us and showing us where to go. And I never got that feeling when I went to any other campus in Mississippi,” Bailey said.

She jumped right into campus life, getting involved in organizations all across campus.

In addition to being a Grove Scholar, Bailey has served as a member of IMAGE and the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA). She is currently a community assistant, logistics manager for the ASB Outreach Board, FASTrack peer leader and an UM Connect mentor.

Through Grove Scholars’ internship program, Bailey was given the opportunity to shadow Dr. Morgan McLeod this summer. She worked alongside Dr. McLeod at Wallace R. Conerly Critical Care Hospital and Winfred L. Wiser Hospital for Women and Infants, as well as, other smaller clinics in the surrounding area.

The experience gave Bailey a taste of the medical life she had dreamed about. She saw everything from vaccinations to amputee patients, and she observed diligently alongside medical students and interns.

“I thought I wouldn’t enjoy the hospital as much as I did, because hospitals are a bit faster paced. But I honestly enjoyed [the hospital] more. It was consistent every day, and you’re going to have more than one patient every day.”

Bailey credits being a Grove Scholar with helping her get the opportunity to shadow Dr. McLeod.

“Being a Grove Scholar is like being a part of this smaller Ole Miss family,” Bailey said. “It’s filled with people who have experienced or are experiencing the same thing as me. It has provided me with friendships, opportunities and connections.”

Bailey remains enthusiastic on her journey towards medical school as she works to complete her undergraduate degree in Biology.

Grove Scholars Profile: Janeisha Simpson

Posted on: February 25th, 2019 by

— By Anne Watkins Tyson, IMC ’19

“When I first got to Ole Miss, I was unsure. But, now I can’t imagine myself anywhere else.”

Janeisha Simpson, a senior from Lexington, Mississippi, is thankful to be a student at the University of Mississippi where she can be a part of the Grove Scholars program.

She began her studies as a Biology major, but she is now a Psychology and Nursing major. “Psychology is just more interesting to me,” she remarks over coffee in a campus café. She loves interacting with people, especially kids, and wants to do this everyday as a career.

Janeisha remembers telling her parents she knows she wants to work with kids. This desire was confirmed in a developmental psychology course at Ole Miss. “It is what made me fall in love with my major. It was all about children and their brains,” she says. “When they are so young, you get to know them, help them and have an effect on how they grow up.”

After Janeisha’s college application was received by the previous director of Grove Scholars, she received a call asking if she was interested in summer school.

She smiles at her coffee as she remembers her answer, “Sure, why not?”

The summer before her college career began, she was honored to meet the Grove Scholars, old and new, learn the background of the program and become acclimated with the community that would soon become her biggest supporters.

The Grove Scholars were encouarged to think of themselves as trees in the grove on campus. Once one tree has grown, you want to plant another tree. And then, you want to show that tree how to grow. “The upperclassmen have all been here for us. Now, we want to pass the motivation and the encouragement to the younger people in the program,” Janeisha says. Just like her heart for molding children into the best they can be, she has a heart for leading those younger than her in the program.

At first, Janeisha planned on going to a community college after graduating from her high school, Holmes County Central High School. But that changed when she came to a visitor day on the UM campus. She was smitten and has not looked back.

“I am so happy that I chose Ole Miss, but I am happier that Ole Miss chose me.”

Along with Grove Scholars, Janeisha also has leadership roles and involvement across campus. She belongs to the University of Mississippi Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students, I.Team, College Corps, Black Student Union and is on on the executive board of Esteem. When she first got to Ole Miss, Janeisha reflects that she was painfully shy. “Grove Scholars, though, opens you up because it brings you around people who are interested in fields like you, yet we’re all different. It has opened me up to many different avenues. I have gotten to make so many different connections through all of my fellow Grove Scholars.”

When asked about what her biggest takeaway from Grove Scholars is, she answers that “we’re just one big family.”

Janeisha describes the fellowship of Grove Scholars by painting a picture of their meetings. They share news about their community, what is going on in their lives, what is going on across campus and pieces of advice. In these meetings, the Grove Scholars are also encouraged in their endeavors by Gray Flora, the Director of the program, and by different speakers who are involved in their STEM and health-related professions.

“These skills and things that we are learning are not just for our classes. We are being pushed to go out and to follow our dreams. We are constantly motivated as Grove Scholars… Looking back, I really don’t know how it happened. But, I am so grateful that I am a part of the Grove Scholars program.”

Find Us!

The Grove Scholars location is 100 George Hall.