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Invest in the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College.

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Help Us Champion the Next Generation of Citizen Scholars

Community Action. Intellectual Rigor. Transformational Leadership. These are some of the words that come to mind when thinking about our Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College (SMBHC) scholars! As we continue to grow and equip more citizen scholars to impact society, we need your support.

Areas of Support

Your contributions will benefit students as they seek answers to critical questions through research and collaboration. It will catalyze their opportunity:

  • To serve community & organizations through experiential learning (internships, community projects, research studies).
  • To receive a top-tier private liberal arts education at a public university price.
  • To have innovative curriculum that allows them to explore and grapple with traditional and contemporary issues in a holistically challenging environment.
Dymond Mitchell

Your Impact, Our Gratitude

As an out-of-state student from Texas, the University of Mississippi was not originally on my radar. But the Honors College changed that. During my initial visit, I noticed something different: Students walked the halls not only with their peers but also with their professors. There was a genuine sense of community and camaraderie.

  

Since joining the Honors College, I can confidently say that it offers countless opportunities to build meaningful, academically enriching relationships. From the Honors Living Learning Community to the capstone process, people support you every step of the way. Through the LLC, I was fortunate to form friendships far beyond casual peer interactions. 

 

I believe one of the greatest strengths of the Honors College is its holistic approach to admissions. It brings together students from a wide range of disciplines, backgrounds and life experiences. As emerging citizen scholars, we are encouraged to see those differences not as divisions but as sources of strength. Through its diverse course offerings and collaborative environment, the Honors College challenges us to appreciate new perspectives and grow because of them. 

Dymond Mitchell (SMBHC '26)

Major: Sociology | Hometown: Prosper, Texas | Recipient of the Stamps Scholarship

SMBHC Leadership Council

The SMBHC Leadership Council is a platform for alumni, parents, and friends to engage with leadership, provide feedback on development operations, and advocate for increased philanthropic support of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College.

  1. Provide feedback on development operations and other initiatives as presented by the Dean.
  2. Commit to a $2K gift that is contributed each term served. Council members with extenuating circumstances can fundraise a portion of the commitment.
  3. Physically or virtually attend at least one of the two annual meetings. *We understand emergencies occur.
  4. Contribute your thought power to generate ideas and concepts that will grow our operation and increase our impact.
  5. Think critically and strategically about how to use your time and talent to serve the SMBHC.

The gifts from council members will be collectively pooled, and they will be allowed to vote on how the funds will be allocated. The SMBHC will report on the utilization –or plans for the utilization– of the funds by May of every year.

Jacob Ferguson

Questions?

If you'd like to make a gift to the SMBHC or have any questions, please reach out and we'll be happy to assist!

Jacob Ferguson

Associate Director of Development