August 20, 2025
Pearl River Community College has long been a place where futures take shape, friendships flourish, and experiences define lifetimes. For the 2025–2026 academic year, PRCC is proud to announce its new campaign, Moments Into Memories, a celebration of the Wildcat journey and the people who make it extraordinary.
Rooted in the college’s core values of Pride, Respect, Class, and Character, Moments Into Memories highlights how every step at PRCC, whether in the classroom, on the field, in student life, or through community impact; all contributes to a story that students and alumni carry with them forever.
As Mississippi’s oldest community college and one of the fastest growing in the state, The River has long been a place where students discover their passions, build lifelong friendships, and achieve their dreams. This year’s theme celebrates the heart of the Wildcat experience, the moments that define a student’s journey and the memories that last a lifetime.
Alumni often reminisce about the magical time they spent at The River, often mentioning their wish of finishing their four-year degree without transferring. They came to PRCC for the classes and discovered a place they could call home with connections who became a family. Moments spent on campus turn into memories they treasure for a lifetime.
“At Pearl River, every day is filled with opportunities to create moments that truly matter,” said Dr. Kari Eve Valence, Director of Marketing & Recruitment. “Our new theme, Moments Into Memories, celebrates the heart of the Wildcat experience, from the first campus tour to graduation day, and every milestone in between. It’s a reminder that what we do here is more than academics; it’s about building experiences that will be cherished for a lifetime. We are proud to share these stories and highlight the students, faculty, and staff who make PRCC a place where pride, respect, class, and character shine through in everything we do.”
The magic of the environment and the people who teach and work at the college have contributed to the continued growth of PRCC. The fall of 2024 saw record-setting enrollment of 6,093 students, shattering previous school and state records. Enrollment has grown by 24.81% since 2017, while the state average saw a drop of -7.27%. Pearl River is the only community college in the state to experience a significant headcount gain in that period.
Memories Made In The Classroom
Pearl River students routinely benefit from smaller classroom sizes and direct access to their instructors. Whether the class is in person or fully online, instructors make space and time to meet students where they are and guide them through any challenges they may face.
From the President to the faculty and staff, The River’s culture focuses on developing the whole person. By walking the Wildcat Way of Pride, Respect, Class, and Character, PRCC works toward building better people, families, and communities.
Through a new initiative, PRCC strives to empower all learners through holistic design with opportunities to improve emotional, social, and occupational wellness. For students who qualify, Trio offers additional help, including peer-to-peer tutoring.
Phi Theta Kappa chapters provide an avenue for academically successful students to gain valuable leadership skills through projects they conceive and run. Both the Beta Tau Gamma Chapter on the Forrest County Campus and the Iota Mu Chapter for Hancock County and Poplarville Campuses are standouts within the global society. Nine of the exceptional students have been awarded the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship since 2014, including Naomi Williamson last year.
Memories Made Outside the Classroom
Athletics, Fine Arts, and student clubs and organizations all provide ample opportunities for students to create life-long memories. Welcome Week, Homecoming Week, the annual fall campfire near Halloween, Wildcat Wonderland, TurnUp Tuesdays, and the annual Spring BBQ are just a few of the opportunities students have to connect and socialize with fellow Wildcats.
Student athletes have a built in social group through their teams. They experience strong camaraderie with teammates and meaningful interactions on and off the field, all contributing to a memorable college experience. Bringing home a win or a championship trophy adds to their memories. During the 2024-2025 school year, PRCC Athletics saw 180 wins and captured six championships across various programs. The student athletes also saw success in the classroom with an average grade point average of 3.08, and over half were named to the Dean’s and President’s lists. 72 student-athletes and nine teams were recognized by the National Junior College Athletic Association for their academic success.
PRCC’s Fine Arts programs continue to grow and receive recognition, with students creating memories on stage. The Spirit of the River Marching Band has welcomed a larger group of students for the 2025-2026 school year, many of whom will continue with Concert Band, Jazz Band, and Pep Band in the spring semester.
Vocal groups, including Currents, PRCC Singers, Rapids, and the Voices, are given opportunities to venture off campus for competitions, performances, and service projects. PRCC Players not only entertain fellow students and community members with their spring productions, but also enrich the lives of local elementary students and their teachers through a fall production.
The student activities board, along with clubs like the Ally Club, Gaming Club, and History & Humanities Club, offers opportunities for students to decompress from class with people who share similar interests. The Student Government Association brings avenues for students to become advocates for their fellow classmates and improve the student experience on all three campuses.
Be Part of the Moments Into Memories Campaign
Whether you’re stepping onto campus for the first time or returning decades later, every PRCC Wildcat has a story worth telling.
Alumni, students, faculty, and staff are invited to help honor the small moments — the friendships, the challenges, the milestones — that become memories for a lifetime. Share yours on social media using #MomentsIntoMemories, and be part of the celebration.
From welcome week festivities and student spotlights to faculty honors and alumni success stories, Moments Into Memories will showcase the people who make PRCC’s Wildcat family a place where every chapter is worth remembering.
Together, let’s celebrate the moments that have made Pearl River unforgettable.
Staying Up to Date on All Things PRCC
Between social media, an easy-to-navigate website, and weekly radio shows, many avenues are available for staying up to date.
Wildcat Family and community members are encouraged to follow the college on social media. The college can be found on Facebook (@PRCCMKTG), Instagram (PRCCWILDCATS), LinkedIn, Twitter (@PRCC_Wildcats), and TikTok (@prcc_wildcats).
The weekly Wildcat Radio Show hosted by Chuck Abadie is broadcast on Tuesday mornings at 9 a.m. on SuperTalk Mississippi 97.3 FM Hattiesburg. Recent episodes can be found on the Wildcat Radio Show podcast page.
How To Enroll
Enrolling at Pearl River Community College requires a few simple steps:
1. Apply for Admissions online and have your transcript(s) sent from high school and any past colleges you have attended.
2. Apply for Financial Aid, including doing your FASFA. Submit your ACT score for academic scholarships.
3. Apply for Housing if needed
Visit PRCC.EDU/Admissions to become a Wildcat today.
How to Schedule a Tour
Anyone interested in a tour of the Forrest County Campus or Poplarville Campus can reach out to the Office of Recruitment by calling 601-403-1197, emailing recruitment@ prcc.edu, or visiting the webpage Prcc.edu/recruitment.
For the latest news on Pearl River Community College, visit PRCC.edu and follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter (@PRCC_Wildcats), Instagram (PRCCWILDCATS), Facebook (@PRCCMKTG),and TikTok (@prcc_wildcats).
Article by Alexx Kennedy, Laura O’Neill, and Dr. Kari Eve Valence. Photography by Kaylee Fortenberry, Laura O’Neill, and Patrick Peerboom.
