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Ava Whitney

  • Class

    Class of 2030

  • Program

    Elementary Education ( School of Education )

  • Hometown

    Woodstock, GA (South)

  • Quick Intro

    Ava Whitney felt an instant sense of belonging when she first visited Ole Miss. An elementary education major, she's spent years working with kids through preschool dance classes and church leadership roles, and she brings with her a personal connection to service: she recently won a Leukemia & Lymphoma Society award, edging out more than 100 other students, for seven weeks of fundraising and advocacy work inspired by her mother's battle with breast cancer.
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Ava Whitney sitting outside the student union.

What are you most excited — and maybe most nervous — about as you start college?

I'm most excited about building friendships and finding my community. Ever since I toured Ole Miss, I've felt like I could truly be myself here, so I'm excited to meet people from all over the world. Honestly, I'm not very nervous because everyone I've met has made me feel so comfortable already.

I'm most excited about building friendships and finding my community. Ever since I toured Ole Miss, I've felt like I could truly be myself here, so I'm excited to meet people from all over the world. Honestly, I'm not very nervous because everyone I've met has made me feel so comfortable already.

You mentioned that you hadn't considered Ole Miss until you visited campus. What changed during that visit?

Growing up, I was always an Alabama fan and thought that's where I wanted to go. But everything changed when I visited Ole Miss. My tour guide knew everyone we passed and stopped to say hello, and I even remember seeing a "Free Hugs" sign that made me smile. Everyone was so welcoming, and it felt like home in a way I hadn't expected.

Growing up, I was always an Alabama fan and thought that's where I wanted to go. But everything changed when I visited Ole Miss. My tour guide knew everyone we passed and stopped to say hello, and I even remember seeing a "Free Hugs" sign that made me smile. Everyone was so welcoming, and it felt like home in a way I hadn't expected.

Was there a specific moment when you realized Ole Miss felt like home?

It happened while we were walking around campus and seeing students going about their day. I remember thinking, “This is my spot.” It was just a feeling that everything clicked.

It happened while we were walking around campus and seeing students going about their day. I remember thinking, “This is my spot.” It was just a feeling that everything clicked.

What excites you most about studying Elementary Education at Ole Miss?

I've always loved working with kids and helping them learn and grow. Through teaching preschool dance classes and leading fifth graders at my church, I realized teaching is what I'm meant to do. I'm especially excited about learning from professors who genuinely care about their students and getting hands-on classroom experience through the program.

I've always loved working with kids and helping them learn and grow. Through teaching preschool dance classes and leading fifth graders at my church, I realized teaching is what I'm meant to do. I'm especially excited about learning from professors who genuinely care about their students and getting hands-on classroom experience through the program.

Tell me about the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society award. What did you do to earn it?

The award is really meaningful to me because of my family's experience with cancer. My mom had breast cancer, so the cause is very personal. I spent seven weeks fundraising, raising awareness and supporting patient advocacy through the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. It was a humbling experience and showed me how much people can accomplish when they come together for something bigger than themselves.
The award is really meaningful to me because of my family's experience with cancer. My mom had breast cancer, so the cause is very personal. I spent seven weeks fundraising, raising awareness and supporting patient advocacy through the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. It was a humbling experience and showed me how much people can accomplish when they come together for something bigger than themselves.

Winning an award against more than 100 students is significant. What do you think set you apart?

I think going through difficult experiences gives you a different perspective. It taught me compassion and motivated me to serve others, and I believe that came through during the application process.
I think going through difficult experiences gives you a different perspective. It taught me compassion and motivated me to serve others, and I believe that came through during the application process.

What kind of legacy do you hope to leave at Ole Miss? Five years from now, what do you hope people say about the impact you made here?

I hope people remember me as someone who made their day a little better. I always try to smile because you never know what someone else is going through. If people remember me as someone who brought comfort, kindness and encouragement to others, that would mean everything to me.

I hope people remember me as someone who made their day a little better. I always try to smile because you never know what someone else is going through. If people remember me as someone who brought comfort, kindness and encouragement to others, that would mean everything to me.

How do you hope to get involved on campus?

I'm planning to rush this fall, get involved with RebelTHON, join a campus ministry and audition for the Ole Miss Dance Company. I'm excited to meet new people while giving back to the campus community.

I'm planning to rush this fall, get involved with RebelTHON, join a campus ministry and audition for the Ole Miss Dance Company. I'm excited to meet new people while giving back to the campus community.

Anything else you'd like people to know?

I hope everyone who visits Ole Miss falls in love with it the way I did. Even through orientation and my campus tour, I could tell there are so many incredible people here. I can't wait to become part of that community.

I hope everyone who visits Ole Miss falls in love with it the way I did. Even through orientation and my campus tour, I could tell there are so many incredible people here. I can't wait to become part of that community.