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PEARL – It’s the lifetime friendships Lona Perrett has made at ���Ĺ���ý that have helped make her time as a student most enjoyable.

“My experience with ���Ĺ���ý has been life-changing,” said Perrett, of Pelahatchie, a student at the Rankin Campus. “I had no idea all the benefits and opportunities I would get to take on here.”

Lona Perrett

A member of Phi Theta Kappa and the campus Student Government Association, Perrett has pursued an associate degree at ���Ĺ���ý in educational psychology. She’s also had a chance to study abroad and experience other parts of college life that wouldn’t have been possible without choosing ���Ĺ���ý.

“Besides making lifelong friendships with people, I’ve also been able to take on the journey of traveling to another country as a part of international studies,” she said. “Coming to ���Ĺ���ý has definitely been my best decision.”

While at ���Ĺ���ý, Perrett has been recognized for her achievement in several ways, including being named Who’s Who Among ���Ĺ���ý students and among 28 students given 3E Awards for spring 2020. The designation stands for Emphasis on Excellence and Enrichment and the student must carry a 3.5 GPA or higher.

Along the way, she’s found her voice with the help of caring faculty who’ve helped ease the transition to online classes in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. In her case, it helped her achieve becoming an officer in PTK on campus and at the regional level.

“My advisor, Joy Rhoads, has definitely made the most impact to me during my time at ���Ĺ���ý,” she said. “She encouraged me to put myself out there and helped me improve my leadership qualities. She is so welcoming to everyone’s ideas and interpretations during classes.

“And the transition to online classes has gone well for me,” she said. “I’m still able to interact with my classmates through activities, discussion boards, and zoom meetings.”

Perrett plans to transfer to Mississippi State University this fall and keep her ed-psych major while still keeping options open afterward.

“Although I am uncertain what I want to do for a career, I am going to see where it takes me,” she said. “Whatever I do, I want to help people in any way I can.”