Grove Scholars
Employing a cohort model, an incentive structure, and a summer bridge program, Grove Scholars works to close the gap between access and equity for Mississippi resident students beginning prior to freshmen year through graduation.
Our Grove Scholars
We are a community of driven, University of Mississippi students pursuing a S.T.E.M., Health, or Accounting degrees. The Grove Scholars program blends academic excellence with career exploration, research experience, and the promotion of personal growth and camaraderie among our Mississippi-resident students.
We transform the lives of traditionally underserved Mississippi students in STEM, health sciences, and accounting. Through mentoring, financial support, and targeted resources, we foster academic success, personal growth, and career readiness. Rooted in hard work, integrity, and excellence, Grove Scholars empowers first-generation and low-income students to thrive, graduate from Ole Miss, and make a lasting impact on their communities and the state of Mississippi.
Eligible applicants must be incoming Mississippi native freshman pursuing STEM, health sciences, or accounting degrees and meet the requirements for the Ole Miss Opportunity Scholarship.
Our Staff
Gray Flora
- Director of Grove Scholars
Yasmin McLaurin
- Program Manager
Fred Tidwell
- Grove Scholars Associate Program Manager
Grace Godbold
- Grove Scholars Associate Program Manager
Current Grove Scholars
| Jennifer Aguilar-Moreno |
| Josh Anderson |
| Alajah Anderson |
| Drea Anderson |
| Sam Ayers |
| Katelynn Bateman |
| Melayney Billy |
| Aza Booth |
| Kamariyah Bowens |
| Trinity Bridges |
| Zoniquah Brown |
| Liam Buchanan |
| Moriah Calhoun |
| Christian Cannon |
| Chole Carmack |
| Alex Carter |
| Jonea' Carter |
| Izzy Chapman |
| Emma Collum |
| Destiny Craddieth |
| Juan Cruz |
| Jacayla Dixon |
| Alexus Dotson |
| Cam Doyle |
| T’Ora Doyle |
| Al Estrella |
| Laylaa Ferguson |
| Z’Karia Flemons |
| Kennedy Ford |
| Alyssa Garcia |
| Jonyla Garrett |
| David Gibbs |
| Xavier Gingrich |
| Amarii Hamilton |
| Helena Hansen |
| Kendall Hardin |
| Angelina Hayes |
| Ireanna Haynes |
| Tyson Hearn |
| Lathan Henderson |
| Ximena Hernandez |
| Braylin Hill |
| Victoria Jackson |
| Alex Jaimes |
| Cam Jenkins |
| Lynia Jenkins |
| Milayka John |
| CJ Johnson |
| Liya Jones |
| Kalea Jones |
| Nicole Karch |
| Tyrell Kershaw |
| Destiny Kirksey |
| Miller Lathem |
| Jayden Lawrence |
| Bryant Lewis |
| MaKiyra Lucas |
| Kyle Marin |
| Taetum Matherne |
| Jemia Mathews |
| Santaisha Mayes |
| Erial Mays |
| Gabby McCrary |
| Logan McDonald |
| Emilee McDonlad |
| Dylan Mitchell |
| Manjot Nagra |
| Ivy Nguyen |
| Kaitlyn Nguyen |
| Bradyn Nowell |
| Mary Oladipo |
| Haley Olive |
| Andre'onna Orange |
| Miguel Ortiz |
| KJ Oville |
| Mia Parnell |
| Alaina Peak |
| Kortez Ponce |
| Brianna Posey |
| Jayden Purnell |
| Johnzen Ramsey |
| Mi’Khaela Redd |
| Kimora Robinson |
| Ahmed Sall |
| Drew Saxton |
| Abbey Shoffner |
| Orlandria Smith |
| Eli Smith |
| Josh Smith |
| Aniya Smith |
| Avry Smith |
| Sarah Spells |
| A'Rian Story |
| Isabelle Switzer |
| Kiersten Taylor |
| Ja’Kavious Tinnel |
| Cameron Toms |
| Michelle Tra |
| Josh Tucker |
| Jaylen Watson |
| Courtney Watts |
| Shaniya Wells |
| M’Keelah Williams |
| Cyrus Wiseman |
| Mia Wooten |
Frequently Asked Questions about the Grove Scholars
Want to know more about Grove Scholars? Explore the frequently asked questions below to find all the answers you need.
Grove Scholars is a dynamic program designed for students eligible for the Ole Miss Opportunity Scholarship who are pursuing degrees in S.T.E.M., Health, or Accounting at the University of Mississippi. Through a cohort model, an incentive structure, and a summer bridge program, Grove Scholars is committed to leveling the playing field, ensuring that students not only gain access to higher education but also receive the support needed to thrive from before their freshman year through graduation.
Grove Scholars provides students with a supportive community of peers with similar academic interests. We offer students opportunities for intensive mentoring, tutoring, and career exploration throughout the school year all the way to graduation. The Grove Scholars’ experience starts with a summer bridge program for incoming first-year students.
Most students experience a significant “culture shock” when arriving at college for their first year. Grove Scholars aids in the transition to college by bringing students on campus the summer before their freshmen year and surrounding them with support from staff and a group of highly motivated peers. This pivotal time spent on campus in the summer allows students to feel more comfortable socially and academically at Ole Miss before the larger wave of students arrive in late August for the fall semester. Taking 2 college courses over the summer that count towards your degree, enables Grove Scholars to come into the fall of their freshmen year ahead academically.
Being a Grove Scholar does not end with the summer program! Students in Grove Scholars receive the following throughout the rest of their time as an undergraduate:
- Wraparound Mentoring and Advocacy for all students by our staff
- Connection to campus resources
- Free Tutoring throughout academic year
- Ongoing Study and College skill workshops in partnership with UM faculty
- Resources to secure On-Campus and Work Study jobs
- Internship experience resources including funding for internships and shadowing opportunities that unpaid or underpaid
- One scholarshiped Summer course every summer after Freshman year
- An opportunity Study Abroad for free during 1 summer during undergraduate career
- Social events/Speakers/Networking series throughout undergraduate career
- Access to free Graduate Test Preparation + Application Fee waivers
The 4-week program (2nd Summer Session – June 25 – July 24) gives students the opportunity to get a head start on their college education. All students will take 2 classes over these 4 weeks, including a Science course and a 2nd class to be chosen with your adviser. Students must also attend mandatory study hours during the week and other activities including speakers, discussions, and trips designed to help them acclimate to the University of Mississippi and begin the career exploration process. Students will have weekends off with the exception of one Saturday field trip.
Students do not need to bring their own car to campus. The university has an excellent bus system called OUT. However, if you would like to bring your car, you may. There will be a charge for a campus parking pass for which Grove Scholars does not pay.
No, you will be living in a contemporary residence hall on campus for the duration of the 4-week term and then will move out completely. The room you live in during the summer will be different than the room you live in during the Fall semester.
Yes! Grove Scholars will take their final exams on Thursday, July 24th and Friday, July 25th and then will be free to leave campus (You will have nearly a whole month before Fall classes start)
There will be NO classes on July 4th. Students are welcome to go home for the 4th of July, however, classes will resume after the July 4th holiday.
For students who qualify, the Grove Scholars Program is FREE. You must also apply for financial aid for the summer term. After your summer aid is credited to your account, the Grove Scholars Program will cover the gap in funding for your summer expenses.