March 27, 2025
From a young adult looking for his vocation to his current role as Superintendent of Hancock County School District, Rhett Ladner credits his time at Pearl River Community College with providing the direction he needed.
A Hancock North Central graduate, Ladner walked onto the Poplarville Campus of Pearl River in 1988, feeling completely unprepared for college. He went through registration lines with no clear path for the courses to take or how heavy of a workload to have. His parents had both attended PRCC for a short time, but did not complete a program.
“I ended up with 21 hours my first semester in college, which was a nightmare,” said Ladner. “I failed everything. If GPA could have been negative, I probably would have had one.”
Through connections made with faculty and staff, Ladner eventually found his footing. Classes with twenty or fewer students plus a small campus allowed faculty and staff members to provide individual support and pour into him.
“They talked about finding the magic at The River,” said Ladner. “The magic was the people here. I made friends and just fell in love with the place.”
Experiencing the power of those connections had Ladner switch from criminal justice to education. Walter Lowe taught social studies when Ladner attended The River. He set an example for Ladner, mostly through his actions.
“Mr. Lowe was so instrumental and really why I wanted to become a teacher,” said Ladner. “I was his student worker and able to see him and his love for his family, and how he was a professor.”
Other staff members who impacted Ladner included intramural director J.W. Sones and security officer Troy Smith. Both men were willing to discuss life and the struggles you would face while working toward a degree and career.
After graduating from PRCC in 1991, he pursued bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education at the University of Southern Mississippi.
His career path began as a high school history teacher while also coaching baseball, basketball, and football teams. Eventually, he migrated into administrative roles serving as principal before working as Assistant Superintendent for the Pascagoula-Gautier School District. He began his current position as Superintendent of the Hancock County School District in August 2022.
Ladner believes so strongly in the mission of PRCC that he now sits on the Board of Trustees.
“Mr. Rhett Ladner possesses a heart for helping others,” Dr. Jennifer Seal, Executive Vice President for Planning and Accreditation at PRCC. “Working in education, whether at the K-12 level, as a Superintendent, or in higher education, as a member of the PRCC Board of Trustees, Rhett empowers and encourages learning and serving. His ability to raise expectations coupled with his motivation to help others achieve high standards make him a strong leader and a tremendous public servant.”
He would not hesitate to recommend attending The River to anyone considering where to pursue
“PRCC is one of the greatest places where you can start your career,” said Ladner. “The experience you have with the people you meet will change your life forever.”
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Article by Laura O’Neill. Photo and video by River Roderick.
