Neal McMillin

When I came across the Southern Studies description in the course handbook as a senior in high school, I was all in. I viewed the major as a way to have a wide-ranging liberal arts degree that would teach me to see anew and understand deeper the place I call home. As Faulkner said, “To understand the world, you must first understand a place like Mississippi.”

The Honors College offered a special field trip-based course on the Lower Mississippi River. Led by Dr. Cliff Ochs, we viewed the Mississippi River levees, toured the massive Old River Control structure, explored ancient Native American mounds, and much more. The highlight was the overnight canoe trip with Clarksdale’s Quapaw Canoe Company where we camped on the sand of one of the islands on the Mississippi River. I even caught with my hands a stranded buffalo fish that had been beached by the current. This course opened my eyes to the environmental challenges of the South, which has been theme of my career since.

After Ole Miss, I went directly into a master’s program in the School of Marine and Environmental Affairs at the University of Washington in Seattle. I researched the socio-economic dimensions of the research-stage tidal energy technology. After documenting the policy challenges in the U.S. that hindered our nation’s ability to innovate in the renewable energy space, I received a John A. Knauss policy fellowship through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). My fellowship with Mississippi’s Senator Roger Wicker led to a full-time role with a portfolio covering the ocean, environment, commerce, infrastructure, transportation, energy, and more. After over four years in the Senate, I accepted a job with Louisiana’s Governor John Bel Edwards as Director of Federal Affairs for the state’s $1 billion plus coastal program. That role focused on securing funding and policy provisions to facilitate the protection of coastal communities and restoration of the disappearing coastal wetlands. Currently, I am the Director of Federal Affairs for Louisiana’s Department of Energy and Natural Resources, where I contribute to energy and coastal policy. Throughout each professional opportunity, the knowledge of the Mighty Mississippi River gained from the Ole Miss course has been very impactful.

The Southern Studies degree provides the opportunity to be rooted in a place, as well as see the area for which you can make the world a better place. Through the major, you gain an appreciation of the history, literature, and culture of the South, which really influences the entire American experience. The appreciation leads to a better understanding of people, which is so needed in this diverse world. As you look comprehensively at the American story through the lens of the South, you see our country’s successes and shortcomings. By evaluating these, you can find your lane to contribute to positive change. For me, addressing the major environmental challenges of the South has been a rewarding calling.

The Southern Studies program will challenge you in the best ways in critical thinking, discussion, writing, appreciation of art, and so much more. With its history, community, and self-reflection, Ole Miss provides a place where genuine conversations and respectful discussions occur. This results in a dynamic learning environment that will prepare you to engage with any issue in your career. If you want a versatile, multi-disciplinary degree that can cater to your passion, then this program would be an excellent platform for you to explore what really is The South, and by extension, America.