March 27, 2024

An induction ceremony for incoming members of the Beta Iota Zeta chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society took place the evening of March 26 in the Lyceum Auditorium on East Mississippi Community College’s Golden Triangle campus.

The inductees included students from EMCC’s Golden Triangle campus, The Communiversity and the Lion Hills Center, as well as the Golden Triangle Early College High School.

Golden Triangle PTK officers conducted the ceremony, with assistance from the chapter’s advisors, Scott Baine and Dr. Kelly Cantrell. The Golden Triangle PTK officers are Parker Thomas, president; Madelynne Goodson, vice president of public relations; Shane Hyde, vice president of service; Madison McCarter, PTK regional vice president and vice president of finance; Haidi Salihaj, vice president of records; Richard Shurlds, vice president of leadership; and Lillian Steadman, vice president of scholarship.

The guest speaker for the event was Mississippi University for Women President Nora Miller. Other attendees included EMCC Vice President of Instruction Dr. James Rush, Vice President of Operations Dr. Paul Miller and Director of Nursing Programs / Associate Dean of Health Sciences Jamonicia Johnson. A reception took place after the event, during which representatives from universities throughout the region were available to speak with the inductees about their future educational plans.

Here is a list of those who participated in the induction ceremony and, if available, what their plans are for the future:

Chloe Belue is an Electrical Engineering major. After graduating from EMCC, she plans to attend Mississippi State University to earn a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering. She hopes to pursue a career in the energy sector.

Anna Borst is majoring in Elementary Education and will transfer to Delta State University next fall to continue her studies. She wants to teach kindergarteners how to read.

Kristen Bowen is an Elementary Education major. She plans to transfer to Mississippi State University in the fall of 2025. She hopes to become an elementary education teacher.

Moriah Carpenter is majoring in Culinary Arts at EMCC’s at the Lion Hills Center. She will complete her degree in the spring of 2025. She aspires to be a chef on a cruise ship.

Kaitlyn Cox is majoring in Animal Sciences and will complete her degree in the spring of 2025. After graduation, she plans to attend Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

Erika Dowds is enrolled at the Golden Triangle Early College High School and is taking classes at EMCC. She will graduate from EMCC in May. She is majoring in Biology and plans to transfer to Mississippi State University next fall.

Charles Fears, Sr., completed the Barbering/Stylist program in July 2023 and is on track to earn an associate degree this fall. He hopes to open a health and wellness spa, with an emphasis on serving veterans and disabled patients.

Schuyler Hayden is a Psychology major. She plans to transfer to Mississippi State University after graduation. She hopes to become a licensed therapist.

Austin Jamison is studying Engineering Technology, Drafting, and Design at The Communiversity. He plans on transferring to Mississippi State University in 2026 to major in Mechanical Engineering. He hopes to pursue a career in mechanical design.

Nevaeh McKinsey is a Kinesiology major. She is transferring to the University of Southern California in the fall of 2025. She hopes to eventually open her own medical clinic as a sports medicine physician.

Tavares Mixon is majoring in Computer Networking Technology, with a minor in Information Security Technology. He will graduate this spring and hopes to become an information technology engineer.

Faith Morris is majoring in Animal Science and will transfer to Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in the fall of 2025 to pursue a degree through the Veterinary Medical Technology program.

Ava Nettles is a Business and Marketing Management Technology major who hopes to work in marketing and to eventually open her own business.

Nicole Padron is a Respiratory Therapy major. She is transferring to MCC next fall. She hopes to pursue a career in Respiratory Care.

Immanuel Powers is an Accounting Technology major. He plans to go into the finance field after retiring from the Mississippi Highway Patrol.

Laney Schrader is an Interior Design major. She is transferring to Mississippi State University in the fall of 2025. She hopes to someday own her own interior design business.

Holli Sellers is a Culinary Arts Technology major. She will earn her degree in May of 2025. She hopes to open her own restaurant named “Ladybugs.”

Jeremy Shaffer is a Network Security major who is also pursuing a secondary major in Computer Networking. He plans to start his career in cybersecurity after graduating this May. He plans to become a cybersecurity engineer and an ethical hacker.

Empress Shirley will complete the Associate Degree Nursing program at EMCC in the fall of 2025. After graduating, she plans to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Mississippi University for Women.

Breelyn Simpson is majoring in Business and Marketing Management Technology. She will complete her degree in May of 2025. Her goal is to own a business one day.

Mayson Smith is a freshman who plans to apply for the Associate Degree Nursing program with hopes of getting in this fall. After she receives her degree, she plans to become a travel nurse while earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing online.

Coarie Stephens is an Associate Degree Nursing student. She will complete her degree in December 2024. She plans to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Mississippi University for Women.

Keely Washington will graduate with an associate degree in General Studies in May. She plans to continue her studies in Biological Sciences and eventually become a pediatric physician.

Kathryn Wong is a Business and Marketing Management Technology major. She will transfer to The University of Southern Mississippi in the fall of 2025. She hopes to pursue a career as a pharmaceutical sales representative.