A Legacy of Excellence and Creativity
The Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College attracts a diverse body of high-performing students to the University of Mississippi and prepares citizen scholars who are fired by the life of the mind, committed to the public good and driven to find solutions. Established in 1997 through a gift from the Jim Barksdale family, the Honors College merges intellectual rigor with community action. It offers an education similar to that at prestigious private liberal arts schools and universities, but at a far lower cost. Small, discussion-based classes, dedicated faculty and a nurturing staff enable honors students to experience intellectual as well as personal growth.
Our Mission
The Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College prepares citizen scholars who are fired by the life of the mind, committed to the public good, and driven to find solutions.
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Mailing Address:
The University of Mississippi
Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College
P.O. Box 1848
60 Sorority Circle
University, MS 38677-1848
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Learn more about what makes our community a unique place to learn.
The Honors College Experience -
Learn the history of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College
Read our story -
Interested in joining our community? Learn more about our admissions process.
Honors College Admissions -
Are you an Honors College student? This convenient portal will connect you with the resources you're looking for.
Access Honors College resources
Meet Our Staff
Assistance from the Honors College staff adds to the personal side of a public education. Whether it’s dealing with a course scheduling problem or consulting with one of the deans about a career option, the Honors College staff is here to help students succeed. The Honors College also has an information technology manager who is ready to help students with their computer problems.
Ethel Scurlock
- Dean of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College and Associate Professor of English and African American Studies
Bruce Levingston
- Chancellor's Honors College Artist-In-Residence and Holder of the Lester Glenn Fant Chair
John Samonds
- Associate Dean of Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College
Timothy Yenter
- Associate Dean for Capstone and Professor of Philosophy
Jennifer Parsons
- Associate Dean for Communications and Instructional Assistant Professor in the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College
Vivian Ibrahim
- Associate Professor of History and Director of the Office of National Scholarship Advisement
Whitney Dedmon-Woods
- Assistant Director of Office of National Scholarship Advisement
Jacob Ferguson
- Associate Director of Development
Rebecca Oliver
- Assistant Dean for Student Success and Retention
Timera Rodgers
- Coordinator of Admissions
Penny Leeton
- Program Manager of Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College
Sirena Brannon
- Secretary
Nakia Carrothers
- Accountant I
Allison Lavender
- Assistant to the Dean - Student Engagement
Chris Eckert
- Network Administrator
Giorgi Khatiashvili
- Instructional Professor of Sally Barksdale Honors College Barksdale Fellow
Kristina Fields
- Academic Counselor
Paula Hurdle
- Academic Counselor II