CURRENT STUDENTS & ALUMNI
Learn more about what makes our program stand out: our students and alumni. Read about METP events and experiences, and picture yourself in a program designed to foster support as well as educational exposure from day one.
PICTURE, PERFECT: DEAN ROCK CAPTURES THE MEMORY OF AN METP EXPERIENCE ABROAD.
60%
MISSISSIPPI RESIDENTS
40%
NON-MISSISSIPPI RESIDENTS
9
%
of all fellows were high school
valedictorians or salutatorians
1
STUDENT
Spotlight
KYLIE SCOTT
Bowling Green, KY
South Warren High School
Major: Science Education
& Public Policy
Cohort 7
Junior METP Fellow Kylie Scott of Bowling Green, Kentucky, is also a member of the Trent Lott Leadership Institute and the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College.
Kylie serves in numerous leadership roles across campus including as Vice President of Standards for her sorority, Co-Director of Membership Development for RebelTHON, Senator in the Associated Student Body, and both a School of Education and Lott Leadership Institute Ambassador.
Kylie's academic accolades and leadership positions are only surpassed by her passion to help others. Kylie serves as a tutor and mentor in a number of organizations focusing on literacy; education, equity, and accessibility; and reducing the summer learning gap.
Here are a few words from Kylie on what she's been up to:
"This summer, I have served as a Pre-College Counselor for incoming juniors and seniors in high school wanting to get a head start on earning college credits. During the school year, I work with the AVID college and career readiness program at Oxford Middle School.
"I thoroughly enjoy working and building relationships with the students I see because learning and growing as a student and an individual should be fun and engaging! It is so rewarding to watch these students evolve into the best versions of themselves. Education is such a powerful tool that I hope my students past, present, and future will use to change the world."
ALUMNI
Spotlight
A native Mississippian, Kendall Kern graduated from Lewisburg High School and joined the fourth cohort of METP at Ole Miss.
During her time in the program, Kendall sought and created opportunities for transformational change to alleviate poverty. Kendall served as president of her sorority, interned as a curriculum coach for Sunflower County Freedom Project, was named color guard director for a community college, and became the first student below the senior level to receive the School of Education's prestigious Griffin Impact Award which notes extraordinary efforts towards better educational outcomes.
After graduating in 2020, Kendall has continued her mission seek out opportunities in areas that are most challenged.
KENDALL KERN
Hernando, MS
Serving at Moorhead Central School,
Sunflower County, MS
Major: English Education
Cohort 4
A little more about Kendall in her own words:
"My name is Kendall Kern, now known as Ms. Kern forever and always, and I am a 6th-8th grade ELA teacher at Moorhead Central School in Sunflower County, Mississippi.
"I love every aspect of what I do because I know that I am meant to be here and grow every day with my students and the community that I am so lucky to be a part of in the Delta. I chose to teach in the Mississippi Delta because of my connections with the Sunflower County Freedom Project as well as the deep Civil Rights history and ongoing struggle for justice that is present here. I hope that more certified educators come to teach in the Delta: it is truly the most beautiful, community-driven, and grounding place in the world."
EVENTS
We build relationships and camaraderie before classes even begin through our cohort model. Incoming freshmen meet one another the Friday before classes begin and tackle the Ole Miss ROTC Challenge Course the next morning. During their time in the program, Fellows meet weekly with their cohort. They also observe best practices in real K-12 classrooms beginning freshman year. Explore other invaluable opportunities for METP Fellows below.
CROSS
CAMPUS
LEARNING
POLICY
TRIP TO WASHINGTON, DC
Fellows learn from faculty and practitioners from Mississippi's two largest schools of education.
Through multiple professional development events hosted by each campus, we encourage collaboration amongst future colleagues. We also take time to have fun, from ice cream socials and movie nights to even karaoke!
Winter of sophomore year, we speak with education policy experts on the Hill and in the US Dept. of Ed., visit congressional members, and are embedded in area schools for site visits and discussions.
Of course, students have free time to visit museums and monuments, and we usually attend a performance at the Kennedy Center.
STUDY
ABROAD
The summer between junior and senior year, we travel for a short term experience abroad.
Students learn about innovative policies and techniques from which to borrow for their future classrooms.
Embedded within schools, students speak directly with teachers, admins, and students as well as education policy experts. Students enhance cultural competencies through food, art, and general travel.
NATIONAL OR REGIONAL CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE
During senior year, METP Fellows have the opportunity to attend a conference in their field to learn best practices, novel strategies, and engage with career professionals from around the country.
METP pays for all related expenses including transportation, accommodations, meals, and conference registration. Students can also explore the destination city in their free time.