Contact: Camille Carskadon

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Thirty-one Mississippi State University 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, with 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.

“We are very excited to have these new students in the program. It is encouraging for Mississippi to have determined students that are extremely passionate and committed to the opportunity of educating our most valuable resource, our children,” said Annice Jenkins, METP program manager. “Mississippi’s future lies in the hands of our children, and these new METP students are eager to rise to the challenge and prepare themselves for the service that lies before them. I am excited and look forward to working with them.”

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, though the obligation may be deferred if students decide to pursue graduate degree programs.

The 2019-2020 METP Scholars class includes (by hometown):

BILOXI—Macy N. Chism, a junior secondary education/English education major.

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama—Ruby Alyssa Beard, a freshman elementary education/middle school major.

BRANDON—Bailey M. LaFontaine, a senior elementary education/middle school major; and Brooke Hodges, a freshman elementary education major.

BROOKSVILLE—Reilly C. Mapp, a freshman special education major.

CANTON—Margaret E. “Meg” Gordon, a freshman elementary education/middle school major.

CLINTON—Savanna M. Clardy and Chelsie R. Hennen, both freshman elementary education/middle school majors.

FLORA—Samantha J. Caldwell, a freshman secondary education/chemistry education major.

GERMANTOWN, Tennessee—Emily L. Cardosi, a freshman elementary education/middle school major.

LOUISVILLE—Makinsie B. Clark, a sophomore secondary education/English education major.

LUCEDALE—Katelyn M. Cooley, a freshman secondary education/English education major.

MADISON—Sarah E. Franklin, a freshman special education major; and Emily K. Hudgens, a junior secondary education/biology education major.

MERIDIAN—Alexis D. “Lexie” Rawson, a freshman secondary education/mathematics education major; and Dunnam O. Shirley, a senior secondary education/biology education major.

PASCAGOULA—Cameron D. Wells, a freshman secondary education/mathematics education major.

PASS CHRISTIAN—Marly S. Crawford, a freshman special education major.

PELAHATCHIE—Ethan T. Morris, a freshman secondary education/mathematics education major.

PONTOTOC—Jonathan P. Weeks, a junior secondary education/mathematics education major.

RIDGELAND—Susan Camille Felder, a freshman elementary education/middle school major.

SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, Tennessee—Hailey A. Fookes, a freshman secondary education/mathematics education major.

STARKVILLE—William T. “Will” May, a freshman elementary education/middle school major; and Maggie E. Miller, a freshman elementary education/early childhood major.

TERRY—Lendon K. Chandler, a freshman elementary education/middle school major.

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama—Kathryn A. Watkins, a sophomore elementary education/middle school major.

UNION—Mallory W. Malone, a freshman secondary education/English education major.

VANCLEAVE—Morgan R. Sanford, a freshman secondary education/English education major; Cari R. Sims, a freshman elementary education/middle school major; and Emma L. Wages, a freshman elementary education/middle school major.

VESTAVIA HILLS, Alabama—Hannah Beth McCall, 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 http://www.educ.msstate.edu/.

MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.