Awards and Honors
The School of Interdisciplinary Studies and Professional Development is pleased to announce the winners of our 2022 outstanding student awards. These awards recognize each student’s exemplary work in courses across the university. We wish them the best in their future endeavors! |
Outstanding Senior in Interdisciplinary StudiesAward is given annually to the graduating student in Interdisciplinary Studies with the highest GPA and highest number of USM Earned credit hours. |
Rhionna Crawford
▪️Interdisciplinary Studies, BIS, 2022
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Outstanding Senior in Interdisciplinary StudiesAward is given annually to the graduating student in Interdisciplinary Studies with the highest GPA and highest number of USM Earned credit hours |
Jayden Hines
▪️Interdisciplinary Studies, BIS, 2022
Originally from Jacksonville, AR, Jayden Hines moved to Brandon, MS in 2015 where she now lives. She is an ACES Ambassador at USM and her major is Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Multimedia Communications. Currently, she has a job with a small consulting business called East and Leake in Clinton, MS and she plans on continuing her education by pursuing a Masters in Digital Marketing next year.
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Outstanding Senior in Liberal StudiesAward is given annually to the graduating student in Liberal Studies with the highest GPA and highest number of USM Earned credit hours |
Konstance Garraway
▪️Liberal Studies, BLS, 2022
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![]() Outstanding Senior in Liberal StudiesAward is given annually to the graduating student in Liberal Studies with the highest GPA and highest number of USM Earned credit hours |
Sarah Hanifi
▪️ Liberal Studies, BLS, 2022
![]() Outstanding Senior in Liberal StudiesAward is given annually to the graduating student in Liberal Studies with the highest GPA and highest number of USM Earned credit hours |
Samuel “Cole” Powell
▪️ Liberal Studies, BLS, 2022
A Jayess, Mississippi native, Samuel “Cole” Powell is majoring in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Religion and Philosophy. Powell intends to pursue a graduate certificate in Instructional Technology from USM beginning Summer 2022 and has also been accepted into Delta State University’s Master of Arts in Liberal Studies, English Track program.
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![]() Outstanding Senior in Liberal StudiesAward is given annually to the graduating student in Liberal Studies with the highest GPA and highest number of USM Earned credit hours |
Lauren Seibert
▪️ Liberal Studies, BLS, 2022
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![]() Outstanding Senior in Liberal StudiesAward is given annually to the graduating student in Liberal Studies with the highest GPA and highest number of USM Earned credit hours |
Julius Hardy Sims
▪️ Liberal Studies, BLS, 2022
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Outstanding Freshman in Exploratory StudiesAward is given annually to the Freshman student in Exploratory Studies with the highest GPA and a minimum of 15 USM Earned credit hours |
Clay Ryan Busby

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![]() Outstanding Freshman in Exploratory StudiesAward is given annually to the Freshman student in Exploratory Studies with the highest GPA and a minimum of 15 USM Earned credit hours |
Camille Fairley
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![]() Outstanding Freshman in Exploratory StudiesAward is given annually to the Freshman student in Exploratory Studies with the highest GPA and a minimum of 15 USM Earned credit hours |
Jolie Fields
Outstanding Freshman in Exploratory StudiesAward is given annually to the Freshman student in Exploratory Studies with the highest GPA and a minimum of 15 USM Earned credit hours |
Tariana Greenwood
![]() Outstanding Freshman in Exploratory StudiesAward is given annually to the Freshman student in Exploratory Studies with the highest GPA and a minimum of 15 USM Earned credit hours |
Abby Elise Hall
![]() Outstanding Freshman in Exploratory StudiesAward is given annually to the Freshman student in Exploratory Studies with the highest GPA and a minimum of 15 USM Earned credit hours |
Emma Kennedy
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![]() Outstanding Freshman in Exploratory StudiesAward is given annually to the Freshman student in Exploratory Studies with the highest GPA and a minimum of 15 USM Earned credit hours |
Sarah McGill
![]() Outstanding Freshman in Exploratory StudiesAward is given annually to the Freshman student in Exploratory Studies with the highest GPA and a minimum of 15 USM Earned credit hours |
Reagan Phillips
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![]() Outstanding Freshman in Exploratory StudiesAward is given annually to the Freshman student in Exploratory Studies with the highest GPA and a minimum of 15 USM Earned credit hours |
Olivia Grace Pierce
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![]() Outstanding Achievement in Higher Education for All Program |
Reagan Ratcliff
Despite her disability, Reagan has always dreamed of going to college. The Department of Interdisciplinary Studies has allowed her to participate in campus life while giving her educational opportunities through the Higher Education for All program that she wouldn’t have been able to experience otherwise. She enjoyed attending classes and learning about topics such as public health, stress management and living a healthy lifestyle. Reagan has benefited in many ways from the access to collegiate courses and campus life. She has enjoyed her time at USM and has made lifelong friends. Reagan moved to the Hattiesburg area from Jackson, MS, after finishing high school. It was her dream to attend college like her sister and her friends were doing. She has been passionate about attending the University of Southern MS because this is where her family has traditionally attended. Her sister, cousins, aunts, uncles, her grandfather and even her great grandmother attended USM. Having this experience has made her feel complete and accomplished. |
![]() Outstanding Achievement in Higher Education for All Program |
Mary Ann Taylor
Mary Ann Taylor is from Bay St. Louis, MS. In 2007, she graduated from Hancock High School. Shortly after high school, she went to work at a pharmacy where she served ice cream and interacted with customers until 2018. Mary Ann’s goal was to attend college and began USM in 2019. She chose to participate in the Higher Education for All pilot program to get a college experience, community engagement opportunities and socialization. By being in the pilot program, Mary Ann has made many friends and has gained different leadership roles while being here. Mary Ann would like to say thank you to her professors, her Academic Advisor (Laura Malone), and the staff at The Institute for Disability Studies (Dr. Jerry Alliston and Danielle Parks) for supporting her during her journey at USM and enriching her life. |