April 9, 2026
Six students from 91福利 have been named to the Phi Theta Kappa All-Mississippi Academic and Workforce Teams for 2025鈥�26.
Students selected from the Iota Mu chapter on the Poplarville campus for the Academic Team are Emily Copeland and Hope Wheat, both from Hattiesburg. Emily Carter of Columbia and Cierra Knighten of Hammond, La., were named to the All-Mississippi Workforce Team.
Students selected for the Academic Team from the Beta Tau Gamma chapter, located at the Forrest County Campus (FCC) in Hattiesburg, are sophomores Madiha Karim of Purvis and Diego Sosa of Hattiesburg.
BETA TAU GAMMA MEMBERS
Karim and Sosa are members of the Dr. William Lewis Honors Institute.
Karim, 37, is an architecture major and plans to obtain a four-year degree following her graduation from PRCC. She is also a member of the Mu Alpha Theta and History and Humanities clubs.
鈥淩eceiving this scholarship is surreal and exciting at the same time. I am very grateful for this accomplishment,鈥� said Karim, who returned to college after raising three kids.
鈥淛oining college after 15 years, PRCC has been an amazing experience. All the teachers are very helpful and are always encouraging you, making sure you succeed in whatever you do.鈥�
Sosa, 19, is a philosophy major and plans to transfer to a four-year institution and later attend law school.
鈥淚 feel very grateful for this opportunity and I am inspired and motivated to continue to strive for success,鈥� said Sosa.
He formerly served as president of the Student Government Association at the FCC, as well as president of the History and Humanities Club.
Added Sosa, 鈥淚 feel very supported in my goals and academic journey. I also feel very grateful to come across many opportunities that challenge myself in more ways than one.鈥�
鈥淲orking with these students has been a source of great joy and encouragement to me personally,鈥� said Dr. Terri Ruckel, Contact Advisor for PRCC鈥檚 PTK Beta Tau Gamma chapter at the FCC.
鈥淭hey each have worked to achieve outstanding academic success, but each takes the time to make a difference in the lives of other students on our campus. Madiha and Diego both approach leadership with kindness and empathy and prioritize other people鈥檚 well-being.鈥�
IOTA MU CHAPTER MEMBERS
Copeland is pursuing a degree in biology with a conservation concentration and plans to attend the University of Southern Mississippi. She serves as Vice President of Fellowship for Phi Theta Kappa and President and Student Organizer of the Pearl River Wesley Foundation.
鈥淚 am thankful for being selected for the All-Mississippi Team for Phi Theta Kappa, because it is a wonderful opportunity to represent the Iota Mu chapter and 91福利 which have both put a great deal into my development as a leader and a student,鈥� said Copeland. 鈥淚 appreciate being acknowledged for my efforts academically and in serving my community.鈥�
Wheat is also pursuing a degree in biological sciences with plans to attend the University of Southern Mississippi and ultimately apply for medical school. She serves as Chapter President and Regional Officer for Iota Mu chapter of PTK, Vice President of the Ally Club, member of Sigma Kappa Delta, and Sophomore Representative for the Dr. William Lewis Honors Institute.
鈥淏eing selected for the All-Mississippi team is one of the greatest honors I’ve received, as it truly puts into perspective what hard work can reward you with when you set your mind to it,鈥� said Wheat. 鈥淲hen I was young, I always had big dreams like becoming a doctor, and receiving an award like this makes me feel like those dreams are closer than ever to being attainable.鈥�
Iota Mu Chapter Advisor Kira Arthurs spoke on behalf of the chapter advisors. 鈥淓ach of these students has demonstrated a passion for excellence and a genuine desire to make a difference,鈥� said Arthurs. 鈥淭heir hard work, resilience, and leadership inspire our entire chapter, and we are honored to celebrate their achievements.鈥�
Carter is in level two for the Associate Degree of Nursing program. She plans to work as a registered nurse while pursuing her bachelor鈥檚 degree at the University of Southern Mississippi.
鈥淚 am thankful to be selected for this honor through Phi Theta Kappa because it means a lot to have my hard work recognized,鈥� said Carter. 鈥淚 am very thankful for all the support from my family, instructors, and fellow classmates who have helped me reach this accomplishment.鈥�
Knighten is in the LPN to ADN bridge program. She is a member of PTK and the Mississippi Organization for Students of ADN. After graduating, she plans to work as a registered nurse before pursuing a bachelor鈥檚 degree. Ultimately, Knighten wants to continue her education to become a nurse practitioner working in emergency medicine.
鈥淭his recognition means so much to me, as it represents not only my hard work and perseverance, but also the support, encouragement, and belief that others have poured into me along the way,鈥� said Knighten. 鈥淭here have been challenges throughout my journey, and being chosen for this honor reassures me that those struggles were not in vain. I am truly thankful for the opportunities PRCC has given me, and I carry this recognition with pride, humility, and a renewed motivation to continue growing, serving others, and making a meaningful impact in the field of nursing.鈥�
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Article by Chuck Abadie and Laura O’Neill. Photography by Patrick Peerboom and Cullin Rogers.
