MSU-Meridian thanks local foundations at reception

Oct. 16—Saquena Alford knew fate was opening a door when she first learned about a new doctoral program in psychology being offered this fall at Mississippi State University's Meridian campus.

A mental health therapist for Youth Villages, Alford is one of 20 students currently enrolled in the Doctor of Psychology in Combined Health Service Psychology program. Offering the program locally is what made her pursue her doctorate.

"It allowed me to be able to stay here and still be able to take care of family business, work and then go to school, which is my dream to become a doctor," said Alford, who already has earned a bachelor's in psychology, master's in clinical mental health counseling and Educational Specialist in counseling from MSU-Meridian.

She said she participates in the doctoral program mostly at night, "so I am able to get through with work, come home and get online."

Alford was one of several students who joined MSU faculty and community residents on Monday afternoon to salute the generous contributions three local foundations have made to the campus. Altogether, The Riley Foundation, Phil Hardin Foundation and The Paul and Sherry Broadhead Foundation have pledged more than $4.6 million to help MSU expand clinical and behavioral health programs on the Meridian campus.

Terry Dale Cruse, associate vice president and head of the MSU-Meridian Campus, noted that the MSU Riley Center downtown, where the reception was held, is a good example of the foundations' past endeavors.

"We are truly fortunate to be in a community that supports Mississippi State University but also in a community that has leaders who invest in bettering the community," Cruse said.

"I am deeply grateful to all of your foundations and for your partnership with us in making these mental health programs possible," he told representatives from the foundations.

The Doctor of Psychology in Combined Health Service Psychology is the first doctoral program to be offered at the MSU-Meridian campus since it opened in August 1972. It offers concentrations in the areas of clinical, counseling and school psychology.

The program was approved by the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning earlier this year, along with a bachelor's degree in healthcare administration

Teresa Jayroe, dean of MSU's College of Education, said the foundations' investment in education and the programs are an investment in Mississippi, especially since the state is currently experiencing a shortage of mental health counselors.

"Your generous contributions have not only paved the way for our students to pursue degrees in educational psychology, school counseling and combined health services but they've also played a crucial role in expanding the horizons of educational opportunities across Mississippi," Jayroe said in thanking the foundations.

She said, "Together, with your support, we're shaping the future, one student at a time, across Mississippi."

Kimberly Hall, associate dean for MSU's College of Education and head of the Division of Education at MSU-Meridian, said Meridian campus has successfully introduced three new mental health programs over the last couple of years: a bachelor's degree in educational psychology, an Educational Specialist in School Psychology and the Doctor in Psychology.

In addition, she said, "We are currently in the process of planning a substance abuse or addiction program that we hope to implement by fall of 2024."

MSU-Meridian currently has 20 students — who come from across the state — enrolled in the doctoral program, more than they originally anticipated, Hall said. Another 45 students are enrolled in the bachelor's, master's and educational specialist programs.

"This is a total of 65 new students, almost a 200% increase from fall 2022, that have entered the mental health field and will be able to serve our community and state in the new future," she said.

The campus currently is searching for three more faculty members to handle the growth in students, she said.

Nicole Worthy, a counselor with the Meridian Public School District, also is one of the students who took advantage of the convenience of having a doctoral program locally.

"It's something I've always wanted to do," Worthy said of getting her doctorate, "but it kind of had just been floating around because it required a move and a big change and I have two younger children. When one of the teachers told me about it at a conference, everything just kind of fell into place. She asked me to apply, and I did. It seemed like it was just destined to be that way. I am real excited about it."

Worthy, who earned her master's in counseling at MSU-Meridian, said the expansion of the psychology and counseling programs are desperately needed not just in Meridian but across the state.

"It is amazing. It is so needed here," she said. "Mississippi is very short on practitioners."

Contact Glenda Sanders at gsanders@themeridianstar.com.