May 14, 2025
Four Pearl River Community College students have been selected to receive the Mississippi Space Grant Consortium (MSSGC) STEM Student Stipend Award for 2025.
Applicants were selected based on their work completed in the STEM Club as an active member, their coursework at PRCC, service to school & community, and recommendations by instructors. Each student received $800, which can be used to benefit and continue their education.
This year’s honorees are Kate Carlisle, Zaria Foxworth, and Noah Seal.
Elijah Powell was also awarded a stipend to assist him with NCAS (NASA Community College Aerospace Scholar) selection and participation.
“These students represent the best of PRCC—committed, curious, and community-minded,” said Melinda Miller, PRCC Space Grant (MSSGC) Coordinator and Instructor of Biology, Human A&P, and Forensics. “Their active participation in the STEM events, academic excellence, perseverance, and dedication to making a difference both on campus and beyond made them stand out. Through the support of the Mississippi Space Grant Consortium, we are proud to invest in their futures and help them contribute to NASA’s mission and the advancement of STEM in Mississippi.
“We are most appreciative to NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement, Mississippi Space Grant Consortium, and Pearl River Community College for supporting our STEM students and continued professional development.”
2025 STEM AWARD RECIPIENTS
Carlisle is from Poplarville and graduated from Lamar Christian School. She is a nursing student on the Poplarville Campus who assists with the STEM Club behind the scenes.
Carlisle’s career goal is to become a pediatric oncology nurse.
“Receiving this award will significantly support my journey toward becoming a pediatric oncology nurse,” said Carlisle. “It will alleviate some of the financial burden of my education, allowing me to focus more fully on my studies and clinical experiences. This award brings me one step closer to working with children and families during some of their most difficult moments, offering not only medical care but also compassion and hope. With this support, I can continue developing the knowledge, skills, and empathy needed to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young cancer patients.”
Foxworth is from Hattiesburg and graduated from Hattiesburg High School. She has been extremely active at PRCC, including serving as a sophomore senator for the Student Government Association, a member of the Student Activities Board, Collegiate DECA, and a Diamond Girl for the PRCC Baseball Team. She has also been a Forrest General Ambassador and was a University of Alabama at Birmingham Summer Health Professions Education Program Scholar.
After leaving PRCC, she plans to attend either Louisiana State University or the University of Southern Mississippi to earn a degree in biomedical or chemical engineering with a pre-medical track.
“This award will be used to further my education by covering essential academic expenses such as tuition, textbooks, and travel for research/internship,” said Foxworth.
Powell is from Carriere and graduated from Pearl River Central High School. He is working on the pre-engineering path.
After leaving PRCC, Powell plans to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering at Mississippi State University.
“This stipend will help me focus more on my academic career and allow me to purchase much-needed materials for school,” said Powell.
Seal is from Varnado, Louisiana, and was homeschooled prior to attending PRCC. He has been an active member of the STEM Club. He plans to attend the University of Louisiana at Lafayette to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in biology.
“This stipend with help to pay for books and gas at the university,” said Seal.
ABOUT THE PRCC SPACE GRANT
The PRCC Space Grant program is an affiliate of the Mississippi Space Grant Consortium (MSSGC). The MSSGC program is designed to “Empower, Enhance, and Enlighten” the next generation of Mississippi explorers through opportunities to engage with and contribute to NASA’s mission.
PRCC Space Grant programs are designed to focus on the Human Research Program of NASA’s mission to apply knowledge and technology to improve our nation’s competitiveness, education, and quality of life on Earth. The STEM student stipend is designed to assist the students with their current or future educational expenses and/or their continued project needs in their focused STEM area.
PRCC is one of ten community colleges in Mississippi that participate in the program. Along with the STEM student stipend, funds are used to assist with Honors Biology and Zoology projects, middle school and high school science competitions, K-12 STEM teacher development, Community College STEM professional development opportunities, and promoting STEM to the general public.
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Article by Laura O’Neill. Photography by River Roderick.
