Port Gibson High School students listen to Dr. Wanda Newell, associate professor of child development, during their recent visit to Alcorn State University.

On November 12, 2015, students from Port Gibson High School visited the School of Agriculture, Research, Extension and Applied Sciences Department of Human Sciences.

“The main purpose for the visit was recruitment and retention,” said Arthur Owens, director of the Child Development Laboratory Center, who orchestrated the visit together with Dr. Carrie Ford, chair, Chasity Williams, cook and nutrition aide, Shalonda Brinkley, administrative assistant, and the faculty and staff of the Center.

The visit began with a tour of the Alcorn State Child Development Laboratory Center.

“I hope that students were able to learn all of the aspects of child development. The most important concept that I hope the students took away from the visit, is that in the department we learn through play,” said Owens. “Children are more susceptible to learn while having a great time. You can learn all subjects through play: science, math, and language arts.”

The program continued with lunch and presentations by the School of Agriculture, Research, Extension and Applied Sciences staff held in the Ray Johnson Assembly Center in the Extension and Research Complex.

The first to present was Dr. Wanda. Newell, associate professor of child development. She encouraged the senior, junior, and sophomore students to apply to the institution and enroll in the Department of Human Sciences.

Next, the students were given the opportunity to share their experience with their peers before hearing another presentation given by Dr. Joey Mitchell, director of Career Services. He persuaded the students to choose a career that they enjoy, because it will help them become successful early in life. He, also, spoke on the tripartite model of personality, prompting students to understand themselves, understand their potential career field, and choose a career based on knowledge and logic before choosing a major.

The students received additional words from Dr. Gwendolyn Lucas-Gordon, director of Alumni Staff and Development, and Dr. Gregory Reed, assistant director of Extension, closed out the program.

For more information on the Department of Human Sciences, please contact Dr. Carrie Ford at [email protected] or call (601) 877-6417.