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Contact: Camille Carskadon

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Thirty Mississippi State students are new scholarship recipients in one of the state’s most prestigious teacher education programs.

Housed in the university’s College of Education, the Mississippi Excellence in Teaching Program, or METP, is a collaborative endeavor with the University of Mississippi. The scholarship includes full tuition, room, board and books, a $1,000 technology stipend, and a fully funded national or study-abroad experience. The award is available to students majoring in secondary mathematics, secondary science, secondary English, elementary education and special education.

“I am so excited to welcome these future educators and our 10th cohort of METP scholars from across the state and nation. The support from the Robert M. Hearin Foundation for our outstanding METP scholars is positively impacting education and communities across the state of Mississippi,” said Teresa Jayroe, College of Education dean.

Funded by the Jackson-based Robert M. Hearin Support Foundation, the scholarship is valued at approximately $100,000 over four years.

Competitive applicants should have at least a 28 ACT—or 1310 SAT—score and a 3.5 high school grade point average. Applicants participate in an interview with faculty, write an essay about why they want to enter the teaching profession and commit to teaching in Mississippi in their program area for at least five years after graduation. However, the obligation may be deferred if students decide to pursue graduate degree programs.

“These recipients of the METP scholarship will make a difference in the lives of their students and change the future of education in Mississippi. Already we have seen the tremendous impact that graduates of this program have had on the lives of children and within their communities,” said Kim Hall, associate dean of the College of Education and co-principal investigator for the METP grant.

The 2022-2023 METP Scholars incoming class includes (by hometown):

BILOXI—Riley Campbell, a freshman elementary education/middle school major.

BRANDON—Eliza Buie, a freshman elementary education/middle school major.

COLLINSVILLE—Madeliene Cruse, a freshman secondary education/mathematics education major.

D’IBERVILLE—Sophia Whitehead, a freshman secondary education/English education major.

FRANKLIN, Tennessee—Chloe Gray, a freshman elementary education/middle school major; Lauren Hall, a freshman elementary education/middle school major; and Lily Smith a freshman elementary education/middle school major.

FULTON—Olivia Tutor Springfield, a junior elementary education/middle school major.

HATTIESBURG—Maggie Gratwick, a freshman elementary education/middle school major.

HOMEWOOD, Alabama—Emma Grace Pike, a freshman special education major.

LAUDERDALE—Jayla Smith, a junior elementary education/middle school major.

LUCEDALE—Kate Myrick, a freshman secondary education/English education major.

MERIDIAN—Emily Williams, a senior elementary education/middle school major.

MOSS POINT—Avery Rayborn, a freshman elementary education/middle school major.

OAKLAND, Tennessee—Kathryn Gibson, a freshman secondary education/English education major.

OCEAN SPRINGS—Elizabeth Frye, a freshman elementary education/middle school major; Abigail Peltier, a junior elementary education/middle school major; and Courtney Serpas, a freshman elementary education/middle school major.

OLIVE BRANCH—Kaleb Hendrix, a sophomore secondary education/mathematics education major.

PASCAGOULA—Sophia Cuellar, a freshman elementary education/middle school major; Airy Valencia Galindo, a senior secondary education/English education major; and Margaret Corlew, a freshman elementary education/middle school major.

PLAINFIELD, Indiana—Elena Groeschen, a freshman elementary education/middle school major.

RINGGOLD, Georgia—Jenna Brown, a freshman secondary education/mathematics education major.

SCOTT, Louisiana—Elena Harman, a freshman secondary education/English education major.

SORENTO, Illinois—Abby Draffin, a freshman elementary education/middle school major.

VANCLEAVE—Alethia Dobson, a freshman elementary education/middle school major; Patricia Morgan, a freshman secondary education/English education major; and Kristina White, a junior secondary education/mathematics education major.

WAVELAND—Samantha Prendergast, a freshman elementary education/middle school major.

Established in 1903, MSU’s College of Education is home to six academic departments, one research unit and numerous service units. For more about the college, visit .

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