MSU-Meridian Early-Acceptance Program garners aspiring physician assistants

Contact: Marianne Todd

MERIDIAN, Miss.—Mississippi State University-Meridian's Master of Physician Assistant Studies program has announced its inaugural recipients of the Early-Acceptance Program, an initiative that guarantees students a seat in the highly competitive program.

"The program was created with a very intentional purpose: to identify and invest early in students who demonstrate strong academic potential and a genuine commitment to Mississippi and Mississippi State University," said Pamela Vayda, PA program director and department head.

Abigail Cruse of Collinsville and Bella Grace Jones of Newton are two Mississippi high school graduates who have met the strenuous qualifications for acceptance this fall, Vayda said.

Students must have an ACT score of 27 or above, possess a 3.5 higher cumulative grade point average, already be accepted to MSU and demonstrate leadership and community involvement.

Open to all Mississippi high school students who will attend MSU and to current MSU sophomores and juniors already on a path to healthcare, the program alleviates the application and interview processes to be accepted, Vayda said.

Both Cruse, a graduate of West Lauderdale High School, and Jones, a graduate of Newton County High School, will attend MSU's main campus this fall and will be linked to mentors and faculty early on for guidance. They also will have on campus experiences at MSU-Meridian, Vayda said.

The Early Acceptance program has five seats reserved for high school students and another five for current MSU students.

"This is a brand-new program, so we're still educating the public, school counselors and students as to what it entails," Vayda said. "The program will begin appearing on the university's Banner software for students who take certain courses, and next year, we expect more applicants."

Cruse and Jones were recognized last month during a scholarship dinner, held to award PA scholarships and thank donors for their generosity.

Donors present at the dinner included Christine Riley of the Riley Family Foundation and Brad Crawford of the G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery Foundation.

Additional scholarship recipients include:

Dr. William G. Riley Scholarship—Maybri Eldridge of Meridian; Morgan Childress of Niceville, Florida; and Riley Jackson of Biloxi.

G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery Foundation—Grace Ellis of Forest; Brooks Hull of Meridian; and Alexis Grant of Starkville.

Master of Science in PA Studies Scholarship—Brooks Hull of Meridian; Sydney King of Collinsville; and Estee Ladner of Wiggins.

For more information about MSU-Meridian's PA program, visit www.meridian.msstate.edu/pa

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