MOST Conference Celebrates 10th Anniversary
Annual summer event attracts growing number of prospective UM students
OXFORD, Miss. – Expectations, excitement and new experiences converged this summer at the University of Mississippi, as about 475 high school students from across the state participated in the 10th annual Mississippi Outreach to Scholastic Talent Conference.
"There's definitely a lot more to it than meets the eye," said Landon Anderson, of Richland. "I'd never been to Ole Miss before this, but I always wanted to come and see what it's like.
"Now that I've been here for MOST, I definitely want to attend here. One hundred percent."
Since its debut a decade ago, the summer program has grown exponentially. This year's program included two sessions, the first taking place at the end of June with nearly 300 participants learning about their college possibilities. The second session included 203 students.
"This year is special as it commemorates the 10th anniversary of hosting the MOST Conference since its launch in the three-day, two-night format," said Shawnboda Mead, vice chancellor for diversity and community engagement and former director of the Center for Inclusion and Cross Cultural Engagement, which organizes the annual event.
Karrye Tynes, assistant director for access and recruiting initiatives in the Center for Inclusion and Cross Cultural Engagement, addresses participants at the summer's first session of the Mississippi Outreach to Scholastic Talent Conference. Photo by Srijita Chattopadhyay/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services
"When we adopted this model for MOST, our vision was limited to its potential. The reality has far exceeded expectations. I have personally witnessed the profound impact this program has had, particularly in transforming the educational paths of hundreds of students."
Karrye Tynes, assistant director for access and recruiting initiatives in CICCE, said she's seen firsthand how many conference participants, now Ole Miss students, credit the conference with positively affecting their decisions to attend the university.
"This growth is a testament to the ongoing impact of MOST, and I'm grateful to witness and be a contributor to its continued success," said Tynes, a UM alumna who is herself a product of the conference. "When I attended the MOST Conference, it completely altered my perception of the university by exposing me to countless opportunities through scholarships, programs and organizations."
Several of this week's participants said the conference made a lasting impression.
Zoe Metcalf, of Oxford, said that even though she was well acquainted with the campus, she wanted to attend the conference for a new college experience.
"Everybody's been so cool," Metcalf said. "They treated us like future college students and not like babies. I learned so much about academic opportunities while having a lot of fun at the same time. I definitely want to attend here in 2025."
Dakeira Ivy, of Houston, said that reading Instagram posts made by past conference participants piqued her desire to check it out for herself.
"I really wanted to come and learn more about the many academic programs and scholarships available to minorities here." Ivy said. "I hope I get offered a scholarship, but even if I don't, I plan on applying for enrollment."
Tynes said that the supportive community among students, faculty and staff gave her the confidence that she could thrive at Ole Miss and build a strong network.
Other conference alumni also praised the program.
"I started as a MOST attendee in 2018 as a first-generation college student, so I didn't know much about college," said Brittney Banks, a 2023 UM graduate and conference mentor and peer coordinator in 2021-23. "Attending MOST gave me the knowledge that I needed to make an informed decision about where to attend college and provided support throughout the application process.
"I knew that once I became a student, I wanted to give back to the program that was so instrumental in my success as a college student."
A'Davion Bush, also a 2024 MOST mentor and rising sophomore, said being a 2022 participant introduced him to many people who were resources throughout his last year of high school.
"The people I met offered me scholarships and opportunities that enhanced my academic and professional experience on and off campus," he said. "If I had to do it all over again, I'd pick the University of Mississippi again."
This year's conference participants will be invited back for the MOST Reunion, set for Nov. 12.
Top: Participants in the 2024 Mississippi Outreach to Scholastic Talent Conference enjoy some friendly competition in the Ole Miss Student Union Ballroom. Photo by Srijita Chattopadhyay/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services