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Contact: Lydia Palmer

STARKVILLE, Mississippi—Thirty-three ��ݮ��Ƶ 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 is a collaborative endeavor with the University of Mississippi. The scholarship includes full tuition, room and board, books, a $1,000 technology stipend and a fully funded national or study abroad experience. Available to students majoring in K-12 education, the scholarship is valued at approximately $100,000 over four years with funding provided by the Jackson-based Robert M. Hearin Support Foundation.

“I am so excited to welcome these future educators and our 11th cohort of METP scholars from across the state and nation. The support from the Robert M. Hearin Support Foundation for our outstanding METP scholars is positively impacting education and communities across the state of Mississippi,” said Teresa Jayroe, College of Education dean.

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. 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 2023-2024 METP Scholars are:

AUBURN, Alabama—Ryan Jenkins

BILOXI—Caitlin Perkins

BRANDON—Ellen Robinson

COLLIERVILLE, Tennessee—Evelyn Garland

COLUMBUS—John James Butler and Addison Robertson

CRYSTAL SPRINGS—McGee Hoda

GAITHERSBURG, Maryland—Claire Palmer

GERMANTOWN, Tennessee—Tessa Denny

HARTSELLE, Alabama—Shelby Camron

HARVEY, Louisiana—Lindsey Kate Degraw

HICKORY FLAT—Abbey Coker

HOOVER, Alabama—Ann Elise Pound

HURLEY—Kacey Tucker

LAKE ORION, Michigan —Sydney Dingeldey

MADISON—Avery Addison and Olivia Heard

MANDEVILLE, Louisiana—Emma Singletary

MERIDIAN—Katelyn Feirtag

MERIDIAN—Natalie Wakefield

MOSELLE—Mackenzie Golemon

NESBIT—Seth Matlock

O’FALLON, Illinois—Kaitlyn Spinnie

PEARL—Raelyn McHenry

SAUCIER—Dylan Hall

SAVANNAH, Tennessee—Ella Hansing

SCOTTSBORO, Alabama—Garron Hoosier

SENATOBIA—Jordan Calloway

SENATOBIA—Drake Estep

SPRINGHILL, Tennessee—Lillian Bingham

STARKVILLE—Jonah McCrory

VICKSBURG—Alaina Warnock

ZACHARY, Louisiana—Ashlynn Kearney

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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