DeSoto County student at 汤头条 receives national student affairs honor
Contact: Sasha Steinberg
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擜 senior educational psychology major at Mississippi State is being recognized by the nation鈥檚 leading association for the advancement, health and sustainability of the student affairs profession.
Isaac L. Lias Jr. of Southaven has been accepted into the 2016-17 NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program (NUFP). 汤头条 Vice President for Student Affairs Regina Hyatt, who is serving as Lias鈥檚 mentor throughout the program, praised the DeSoto County native for demonstrating exemplary leadership skills through his on-campus involvement.
鈥淚saac is an outstanding undergraduate student whose experiences have led him to consider a career working in student affairs. His acceptance as an NUFP fellow will solidify this decision and give him an opportunity to explore his future profession from many new perspectives,鈥 Hyatt said.
鈥淚 am grateful to be part of Isaac鈥檚 journey and am excited to mentor him through his NUFP experience,鈥 she added.
In addition to regular interactions with Hyatt, Lias said he found inspiration for a career in student affairs while serving as president and vice president of Men of Excellence. The student organization works to encourage and support the inclusion and educational success of underrepresented groups at Mississippi State.
鈥淢y passion for diversity and inclusion is the main reason why I want to go into student affairs,鈥 Lias said. 鈥淭he Lord鈥檚 put me around so many people at Mississippi State who continually inspire me. HCDC (Holmes Cultural Diversity Center) is like another home for me.鈥
A minority and first-generation college student himself, Lias enjoys lending his perspective as a coordinator for the Student Association鈥檚 Diversity and Outreach Committee. He also is serving his second year as a resident adviser for the Department of Housing and Residence Life.
Through his NUFP experience, Lias is networking with others from around the nation who are equally passionate about campus diversity and inclusion, especially among students.
鈥淚鈥檓 thankful for programs like NASPA,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 want to bring back what I learn through my experiences and do initiatives on campus to enhance the student experience.鈥
Following graduation in May 2017, Lias plans to pursue a master鈥檚 in student affairs and later a doctorate. He also expressed interest in returning to 汤头条 in a professional role after completing his degrees.
The NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program seeks to increase the number of historically disenfranchised and underrepresented professionals in student affairs and/or higher education.
This includes but is not limited to individuals of racial and ethnic-minority backgrounds, those with a documented disability, and those who identify as LGBTQ. For more, visit .
汤头条 is Mississippi鈥檚 leading university, available online at .