Southern Miss Prepares Drake for Success in TV News

Mon, 05/11/2026 - 09:37am | By: David Tisdale

Kennedi Drake grew up watching television news, including the “Today” show and local broadcasts, admiring the work of the reporters who delivered compelling stories that shaped her worldview.

A Southaven, Miss. native, Drake will graduate with honors from The University of Southern Mississippi during spring commencement, earning a degree in digital journalism. Her work has earned multiple awards and recognition throughout her student career, most recently with the Mississippi Association of Broadcasters (MAB) naming her the 2026 Television Student Broadcaster of the Year at its annual awards ceremony. In 2025, she became the first two-time recipient of the MAB Student Scholarship.

She is now ready to take her turn inspiring viewers as a television news reporter—perhaps even the next Kennedi Drake who follows her—when she begins work at WLBT in Jackson, Miss. Drake interned at the station last summer and also at KOMU-8 through a prestigious fellowship at the University of Missouri, where she produced news stories.

“Watching the ‘Today’ show and local television newscasts drew me to journalism because I loved the idea of connecting with people in different communities and from diverse cultures,” she said.

“I fell in love with the idea of bringing untold stories to light,” Drake continued. “Being trusted by communities to share their stories keeps me striving to be the best I can be.”

None of what she has accomplished, Drake said, would have been possible without her faith and the opportunities available to her at Southern Miss.

“I’m so blessed God brought me to Southern Miss,” Drake reflected. “My experiences with the Student Media Center and the Roy Howard Community Journalism Center have changed me for the better, teaching me how to find rare stories and not to give up even in the face of pushback. I learned how to get comfortable connecting with people from different walks of life and gaining the trust of community members.”

“I wouldn’t be who I am today or have achieved what I have throughout my college career if it weren’t for God and the people at Southern Miss who’ve supported me on my journey.”

Drake has been involved with the Student Media Center since the spring semester of her sophomore year, working with Southern Miss Television (SMTV) as a multimedia journalist, producing broadcast news stories, radio content for WUSM 88.5 FM and articles for The Student Printz.

During her junior and senior years, Drake was promoted to main anchor for SMTV, informing the Southern Miss community about national, campus and local news. Previously, she served as an anchor for the Community Calendar segment during her sophomore year while also working as a radio host for WUSM 88.5 FM.

As a student with the School of Media and Communication’s Roy Howard Community Journalism Center, Drake traveled to rural counties across southeast Mississippi to report on underserved communities. Her work covered topics such as police officer retention, school funding and rural broadband expansion. Her reporting packages were carried by multiple media outlets, including WDAM, WLOX and the Mississippi Free Press.

Drake also squeezed in time from her studies and journalism assignments to become a valued member of the university’s beloved Pride of Mississippi Marching Band. As a color guard member for four years, she helped choreograph and teach routines alongside other leaders for every Southern Miss halftime performance during football season. She also served as a resident assistant for McCarty Residence Hall.

Watching Kennedi’s student journey has been one of Student Media Center Director Dr. Jason Beverly's most rewarding experiences as a Southern Miss staff member.

“I remember when Kennedi first came to see me a few years ago—a shy, quiet student simply asking if there was a place for her in the Southern Miss Student Media Center,” Beverly recounted. “Even then, there was something unmistakable about her: a spark, a hunger to tell stories that mattered and a genuine passion for journalism.”

“To see that same student grow into one of the most decorated and accomplished student journalists ever to come through The University of Southern Mississippi has been nothing short of extraordinary.”

Beverly said one of his proudest moments as a mentor was receiving a call from the Mississippi Association of Broadcasters informing him Drake had been named Television Student Broadcaster of the Year. The honor, he said, is among the most prestigious a college journalist in Mississippi can receive and “a powerful reflection of the relentless work ethic she brings to her craft.”

“It is no surprise that news organizations across the country have recognized her talent, and I was especially thrilled to see her accept an offer from WLBT, the top station on her list. We could not be prouder of what lies ahead for her.”

School of Media and Communication Director Dr. Ed Simpson concurs with Beverly, lauding Drake for making the most of her opportunities at Southern Miss.

"Kennedi grabbed with both hands the opportunities offered here, spending time as a multimedia journalist in the Roy Howard Community Journalism Center, earning three internships and working countless hours in our Student Media Center,” Simpson said.

"I've known her since she was a new student in my 101 class,” he continued. “She is smart, energetic and has prepared herself extraordinarily well for life after graduation."

Drake is excited to start working at WLBT.

“Jackson has always felt like another home to me, with the majority of my extended family rooted there,” Drake said. “Growing up, I watched WLBT journalists tell stories that informed and connected the community, inspiring my own path into journalism. That inspiration came full circle during my internship at WLBT, when I had the opportunity to learn firsthand from experienced journalists and contribute to meaningful storytelling.”

When Drake rolls the tape back of the last four years, she’s reminded why Southern Miss was the right choice to prepare her to deliver news that matters.  

“Every time a student or community member expressed appreciation for my work, thanking me for sharing their stories or informing them about topics that would otherwise go unknown, that meant so much to me,” Drake said. “It’s been an honor to use journalism to educate, uplift, empower, inform or motivate students, the Hattiesburg community and beyond.”

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About the College of Arts and Sciences 

The College of Arts and Sciences at The University of Southern Mississippi is home to 13 schools, two ROTC units, and more than 100 academic programs. Guided by the University’s mission, we educate students, lead the state and nation in research and the creative arts, and advance knowledge across the humanities, social sciences, and STEM. Through innovative research and nationally recognized student success, we provide pathways to understanding the past, solving today's challenges, and imagining the possibilities of tomorrow.