SR1 Students Experience Dual Pre-College Adventures at Mississippi's Top Universities

Ridgeland, MS — This summer, SR1 scholars took flight — both literally and figuratively — through the SR1 Community Oriented Opportunities for Learning (C.O.O.L.™) Zone pre-college programs. The initiative is designed to strengthen a cradle-to-career pipeline for rural central Mississippi youth.

Recent research shows that students who visit college campuses are up to twice as likely to attend college (and eventually graduate) compared to those who do not. This insight is especially relevant in the SR1 C.O.O.L.™ Zone’s target areas — rural districts like Scott County, Leake County, and the Forest Municipal School District — where school populations are small (often under 1,000) and opportunities are limited.

In contrast, an urban target district like Jackson Public School District serves nearly 18,000 students yet faces similar challenges rooted in economic inequities. The SR1 C.O.O.L.™ Zone — a nationally recognized place-based rural education initiative — is helping close that gap by guiding students to find their passions, pursue purpose-driven learning, and improve their economic and social mobility across generations.

Forty-five SR1 scholars visited Mississippi State University (MSU) — the state’s land-grant and agricultural flagship — to kick off their summer college journey. Hosted by the Raspet Flight Research Laboratory, the students learned how drones are transforming agriculture and engineering. Under the guidance of Dr. LeRoy Davenport, they even built and piloted their own drones, giving them firsthand experience with science, teamwork, and innovation.

“It gave so many kids the opportunity to see and live out what college is like,” said Forest High School senior Joseph Greenhouse. His classmate, Katelyn Phillips, called it “life-changing.” This fall, Phillips began her freshman year at MSU.

Next stop for the SR1 scholars was Oxford, home to the University of Mississippi (UM) — one of the nation’s leading public research institutions. UM is consistently ranked among the top universities for student engagement and campus experience in the Southeast. More than 100 SR1 participants attended an exclusive two-part pre-college camp at Ole Miss that offered a taste of campus life.

In the camp’s first session, elementary students explored physics through interactive STEM labs. In the second session, middle and high schoolers experienced an overnight stay focused on college essay writing, admissions, and financial readiness. As a result, these rural students were exposed to a vibrant campus environment and given tools to navigate the college admissions process with confidence.

“For the younger students, the takeaway was that science is something you do, not just something you read about,” said Wendy Pfrenger, UM’s Director of Pre-College Programs. “For the older ones, it was that sense of—I belong here.”

Lasting Impact and Future Promise

After these college experiences, the impact on students was clear. Data from SR1’s College Preparatory and STEM Academy show that:

• 72% of participating students reported increased interest in attending college.

• STEM became the top career interest among participants.

  
  

“These experiences reflect our unwavering promise that every child deserves access to opportunity, mentorship, and excellence,” said SR1 Founder and CEO Tamu Green. “Through the C.O.O.L.™ Zone, we’re building a cradle-to-career pipeline of support that begins in early childhood and extends through college and beyond.”

From flying drones at Mississippi State to discovering new passions at the University of Mississippi, SR1’s rural students are not just seeing college — they’re seeing what’s possible.

To learn more about SR1’s programs or to get involved, visit sr1tech.org.