(JACKSON, Miss.) – From Mississippi natives to out-of-state scholars, there will always be a feeling of doing things alone when starting university as a new adult. Jackson State University’s (JSU) Academic Success department lets students know that, despite being away from home, they are never alone through its new Letters for Later initiative. Through this new initiative, students receive letters of encouragement and reassurance from their families and loved ones.
This project was introduced by Kristina Phillips, Ed.D., executive director of Academic Success, and Brandi Newkirk-Turner, Ph.D., senior associate provost and professor of speech-language pathology, who saw similar initiatives at other universities and decided to add their own JSU touch.
During the Academic Success Preview Days this past summer, families of incoming freshmen and transfer students were asked to write letters for the scholars who may be away from home for the first time.
“We know it takes a community to support students’ academic journey, including the support systems they have at home,” said Phillips. “One of our goals in Academic Success is to provide multiple forms of support, and this activity allows families to participate by writing notes of encouragement. It was a special moment to see the students’ reactions.”…