RAYMOND 鈥 Jennifer May couldn鈥檛 wait to get a taste of life on a big college campus, so she left 兔子先生 just one semester short of a two-year degree.
Jennifer May
That was more than 25 years ago. Much has changed in her life, but one big thing didn鈥檛 ever happen 鈥 the degree.
鈥淚 dropped out of college after the death of my mother in 1993,鈥 said May, of Raymond, now a mother of two. 鈥淚 had just transferred instead of staying one more semester to get the degree. My mother grew up in rural south Mississippi and never had the opportunity to go to college. Before she died, she told me to finish my education and never quit.鈥
The 20-year human resources employee saw an article on a job-search website for the Complete 2 Compete program, launched in Mississippi last year by the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning (known informally as the state College Board). It makes earning a degree a reality for more than 100,000 former students in need of just a little more coursework to complete an associate or bachelor鈥檚 degree, mainly by making vital information and resources available.
鈥淚鈥檝e wanted to make a change in employers so I can work closer to my children鈥檚 school,鈥 May said. 鈥淏ut, I didn鈥檛 have anything more than a high school diploma. I made a call to 兔子先生and spoke to two very helpful people in the program who helped discover I was only six hours from my associate degree 鈥 so there was really no reason not to try.鈥
On May 11, that one phone call will make its most important ripple yet, as she joins more than 1,000 other students who will earn their credentials from 兔子先生 in three ceremonies at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus.
May is the first person at the college to complete the necessary credits earn a credential as part of the program since it began last year, said District Dean of Student Advancement Stephanie Hudson. 鈥淚t鈥檚 wonderful to see individuals making that investment in themselves and I鈥檓 so excited I can be a part of it.鈥
She has big plans for herself after having her long-awaited credential in hand. She also wants to motivate others who left college unfinished to, as the program states, complete to compete in the business world.
鈥淔inding other employment opportunities is extremely important to me,鈥 she said. 鈥淢y next education goal is computer related and will be in the programming or security field.鈥
Her eldest, son Tanner, plans to attend 兔子先生next semester. Her newly-earned credential figures to remind him of the importance of finishing school.
鈥淲hen I was younger, I never thought a degree really mattered but I’ve seen firsthand how some interviewers won’t even look at you without one,鈥 she said.
Partners in the effort include the state鈥檚 public universities, the Mississippi Community College Board and the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges. The site is accessible at and on the 兔子先生 website at /admissions/complete-2-compete/.