JTC 24: Applying Full-time Effort to Job and Degree

Kennie Hicks has always aspired to help people. Finding a career where he could make a difference in people's lives has been a goal since he was young.

"My grandmother, Louise, raised me on the idea of love, to always be there for others and always treat others how the way that you want to be treated," the West Point native said. "Those have been three values that have always stuck with me throughout life in all aspects of my life."

Hicks earned a bachelor's degree in family science from Mississippi University for Women in 2021, graduating cum laude, but he decided that he wanted to pursue a slightly different career path. He soon settled on the online Master of Public Health program at the University of Mississippi.

"By becoming a public health professional, I will be able to influence communities across the world, regardless of where I live," he said. "I also feel with this degree I will be able to adequately help others, especially since the need is at an unprecedented high due to health crises, such as COVID, HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular disease, etc."

The online program allowed Hicks to complete his coursework while continuing to work full time. When he enrolled in the master's program in January 2023, he was employed as a social service specialist for the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services.

A reservist with the U.S. Army, Hicks has moved to Jackson to fill in for his unit's full-time human resources specialist while the rest of the unit is deployed.

"This job has more structure and predictability to it, which makes it easier to actually have a schedule to complete my schoolwork and still have a personal life," he said.

While acclimating to attending graduate school as a working professional hasn't always been easy, Hicks said he has been creative in finding time to get his assignments done around his work schedule. Sometimes it included a few all-nighters here and there when his work schedule got hectic.

Hicks said his Ole Miss professors have been understanding of the challenges adult students face and have worked with his schedule to allow him to complete assignments.

"One of my professors worked with me while I had struggles understanding the material of the course," he said. "We did Zoom calls to go over the material and she even answered emails I would send with questions."

The MPH faculty and staff hold Hicks in high regard in return.

"Kennie exemplifies an engaged student," said Hannah Allen, assistant professor of public health. "In fully online programs, it can be difficult to forge relationships with peers and faculty members, but Kennie goes out of his way to maintain communication with his instructors.

"He was a pleasure to have in the program, and we are excited to see his passion for public health translate into his post-graduation career."

Hicks has impressed his family and friends with his dedication to his academic journey, as well. Jermia Woods, his longtime friend, calls Hicks a "superstar" and appreciates how he "inspires me every day to achieve greatness."

Friend Amber Bobo calls his drive and dedication "incredible."

"He has never been one to shy away from hard work, and has exhibited just that while obtaining his master's degree," Bobo said. "I have had the pleasure of watching him juggle between working full time with CPS, getting promoted with the military and being a full-time student.

"I am so proud to know him and even prouder of all that he has accomplished."

Hicks completed the master's program in May, earning concentrations in both community health and epidemiology. He's looking forward to starting his career and plans to focus on epidemiology.

"Although, I do want to do some program directing/planning work, my ultimate goal is to do a plethora of research work in a lab, clinic and/or hospital setting," he said. "My focus areas for the research that I want to participate in are infectious disease, genetics and immunology."

See more photos from Kennie Hicks' Journey to Commencement