It鈥檚 been a long road to college for some students attending 性乐园 this semester.
鈥淚 was raised in Portland, Ore., but my mom鈥檚 family is from here,鈥 said Lakosher Robinson as she shopped for small necessities like pens and flash drives at the bookstore on the Raymond Campus during a break Monday, the first day of class for the spring 2016 semester.
Lakosher Robinson, a continuing student from Jackson at 性乐园 studying business accounting, shops for pens Monday, Jan. 11, 2016 at the bookstore at the Raymond Campus. Monday was the first day of classes for the spring semester. (Tammi Bowles/性乐园)
Robinson, of Jackson, is studying business accounting and wants to market those talents wherever she can, whether it鈥檚 in Mississippi or someplace else.
鈥淚鈥檓 just trying to further my education, maybe go somewhere fresh after,鈥 she said.
For Eddie Rogers, of Byram, her road began with helping raise a large family. Now, it鈥檚 time to pursue a passion for nursing.
鈥淚t鈥檚 something I鈥檝e wanted to do for years,鈥 Rogers said. 鈥淚鈥檓 really doing it this time.鈥
Donna Alexander, left, a student at 性乐园 from Terry studying social work, and Eddie Rogers, a student from Byram studying nursing, shop in the campus bookstore at the Raymond Campus on Monday, Jan. 11, 2016. Monday was the first day of classes for the spring 2016 semester. (Tammi Bowles/性乐园)
Late registration with an additional fee for classes for the spring semester鈥檚 initial eight-week session at all six of 性乐园鈥 locations continues through Friday, Jan. 15.
鈥淚n January, we welcome back our returning students and meet many brand-new students, whether they be an adult returning to school, transferring to 性乐园 from another college, or starting college for the first time,鈥 District Director of Enrollment Kathryn Cole said. 鈥淚f a student missed out on getting into spring classes, we are still registering for online classes, which begin Jan. 19, and our second eight-week term, which begins March 14.鈥
Shelby Hilton, of Florence, who鈥檚 been published for her artwork, hopes to make some fine strokes in the classroom during the initial eight-week session to complete her visual arts studies.
鈥淚 just want to keep my grades up and have it not be a struggle,鈥 said Hilton.
Shelby Hilton, a continuing student from Florence studying visual arts, places her order with Valley Services employee Doris Epps at the Eagle’s Nest student lounge on the Raymond Campus Monday, Jan. 11, 2016. Monday was the first day of classes for the spring 2016 semester. (Tammi Bowles/性乐园)
New students on campus rushed into warm spaces on campus to escape the chilly temperatures outside and make sure they were ready for the semester.
鈥淚鈥檓 ready to study business,鈥 said Keyetha McGee, of Terry, picking up headphones from the bookstore with her mother, Kimberly.
Keyetha McGee, right, of Terry, a first-year student at 性乐园, purchases a headphone set from campus bookstore employee Mollie Lee on the Raymond Campus Monday, Jan. 11, 2016. Monday was the first day of classes for the spring 2016 semester. (Tammi Bowles/性乐园)