By The People’s Paper MS Staff
For Alysan Durr, getting a head start on college was more than a goal. It was a challenge she embraced.
“I got involved with courses at Copiah-Lincoln Community College through the dual enrollment program at my high school,” Durr said. “It gave me the opportunity to earn college credit early, challenge myself academically and prepare for what college classes are really like.”
That early effort paid off.
Durr recently earned an invitation to Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, which recognizes academic achievement at two-year colleges and is extended to students who meet established academic and conduct requirements.
At Co-Lin, students are invited to join PTK based on completed credit hours, grade point average and conduct standards.
Dr. Anika Floyd, vice president of Copiah-Lincoln Community College’s Simpson County Center, said she first met Durr during a dual enrollment information session when her school visited campus.
“At the conclusion of the program, she approached me with thoughtful questions about how to get involved and how to best navigate her academic path. I was truly impressed with her determination and level of interest,” Floyd said.
She also noted that Durr was invited to join Phi Theta Kappa after meeting the organization’s credit hour and GPA requirements and being known for good conduct and character.
“I am not a sponsor who works directly with her … However, I can truthfully say that through my interactions with her, I have found her to be a true leader with a genuinely outgoing spirit that positively impacts those around her. Her strong work ethic, initiative, and commitment to excellence are evident in all she does.”
For Durr, the honor carries deep meaning.
“Being inducted into Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society meant a lot to me because it recognized my hard work and dedication to my academics,” she said. “It also motivated me to keep striving for excellence and showed me that I am capable of succeeding at the college level even while in high school.”
Now, she is already looking ahead.
Durr plans to attend Alcorn State University, where she will major in nursing and continue building on the foundation she has created through her early college experience.
Her story reflects the impact of early college access and the opportunities available to motivated students.
