May 29, 2026
Two Pearl River Community College students have been selected to receive the Mississippi Space Grant Consortium (MSSGC) STEM Student Stipend Award for 2026.
Applicants were selected based on their work completed in the STEM Club as active members, their coursework at PRCC, service to school & community, and recommendations from instructors. Each student has received $500, which can be used to benefit and continue their education.
This year’s honorees are Lakeveon Causey and Elijah Powell.
“These students embody the very best of PRCC and the Wildcat Way,” said Melinda Miller, PRCC Space Grant (MSSGC) Coordinator and Instructor of Biology, Human A&P, and Forensics. “They are driven, inquisitive, and dedicated to their communities. Their engagement in STEM activities, strong academic performance, resilience, and commitment to creating meaningful impact both on campus and beyond set them apart.
“With the support of the Mississippi Space Grant Consortium, we are honored to invest in their futures as they contribute to NASA’s mission and the growth of STEM across Mississippi. We also extend our sincere appreciation to NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement, the Mississippi Space Grant Consortium, and Pearl River Community College for their continued support of our STEM students and their professional development.”
2026 STEM AWARD RECIPIENTS
Causey is from Hattiesburg and a graduate of Oak Grove High School. He is a pre-med student with plans to enter family medicine.
“This scholarship will help me pursue my dreams to become a physician,” said Causey. “As many may know, pursuing a career in medicine is very costly. The scholarship is bringing a step closer to my goal.
Powell is from Carriere and graduated from Pearl River Central High School. He is working on the pre-engineering path.
Powell is transferring to Mississippi State University this fall, where he plans to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering.
“Receiving this stipend will enable me to pursue my academic, career and personal goals to the fullest extent,” said Powell. “The award will enable me to obtain materials, tools, or technology that I otherwise would not have the funds to access. This will allow me to create more projects, deepen my understanding through hands-on experiences, further pursue my academics, and develop my understanding in STEM topics.”
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 align with NASA’s Human Research Program 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.
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 Laura O’Neill.
