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Audrey is a senior Public Policy Leadership major with a minor in Public Health. She serves as Executive Chair of the Lott Student Advisory Board at the Trent Lott Leadership Institute, Co-Executive Director of the Ole Miss Big Event, and a member of the Columns Society. 

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Q&A with Audrey

Why did you choose PPL as your major and what was the appeal of the Lott program?

What made the Trent Lott Leadership Institute so appealing to me was the faculty and staff support, internship connections, and student development opportunities. I am incredibly grateful to the Trent Lott Leadership Institute for all that it has given me. The level of professionalism shown by its students, the care that its staff takes in understanding their student body, and the wealth of internship experience and connections it provides were all driving factors in my decision to apply and in my decision to continue to be part of this program. I chose Public Policy Leadership as my major because I really wanted to have the ability to expand on my writing and communication skills in a way that could help me directly impact my community. My problem solving skills have only expanded and the career fields that I have exposure to with this degree are unlimited. Coming from out of state - the benefits the institute has provided me are incalculable. I credit my success at Ole Miss to the institute fully.

What are your career aspirations?

This past summer I had the chance to work in donor relations, fundraising, and event planning in Washington, D.C. It is an experience I greatly enjoyed and it also helped me to see just how much I love communication and event planning logistics work. I would love to return to the type of work I was doing this past summer for my career! I know that whatever path I choose will be one related to the critical thinking skills I have been developing at the Lott Institute.

Is there a professor that has been particularly helpful to you? 

Both Dr. Bass and Dr. Novelli have been instrumental professors during my time at Ole Miss. Dr. Bass has been an excellent resource in class advisement and scheduling, along with teaching innovative policy courses. Dr. Novelli’s class on leadership last year was especially insightful for me. Not only did he give us his own lesson on leadership, but he also allowed us to explore what leadership personally meant to each of us. I thank them both for their helpfulness throughout the past few years.

What is a particularly meaningful way you have engaged in a community either on or off campus?

Serving in the Columns Society has helped me to give back to the donors and staff members who make Ole Miss my home. I truly am so grateful for all of the work and support they provide. Working with the Ole Miss Big Event has also been so transformative for me! While I may only get to call Oxford home for four years, I thank the locals of the town who graciously allow me to settle in during my time at the university. Our day of service is a true "thank you" to them for the gift they give us!

Bailey is a senior Public Policy Leadership major with minors in Disaster Sciences and Sports Administration. She serves on the Lott Student Advisory Board as the Vice Ambassador Chair. In addition to being a part of the Trent Lott Leadership Institute, she is a member of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College and the Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women. She actively serves her chapter as a member of various committees. Bailey has spent her summers interning for various agencies including the Mississippi Secretary of State and the Republican National Committee.

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 Q&A with Bailey

Why did you choose PPL as your major and what was the appeal of the Lott program?

Before both my freshman and senior year of high school, I had the opportunity to attend the Institute's summer programs. Those two summers I spent on campus with the Lott Institute made me realize that I wanted to attend ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø and major in Public Policy Leadership. What stood out to me then, and continues to stand out now, is how personal and community-focused the Lott Institute is. It's a place that challenges you while supporting your growth, offering countless opportunities to connect with peers, alumni, and current and former leaders across all sectors.

What are your career aspirations?

During my first year as a Lott student, the program has shown me that many more opportunities are available within public policy than I originally imagined. After I finish my bachelor’s degree, I hope to attend law school. I hope to practice law in the corporate or sports sector.

Is there a professor that has been particularly helpful to you? 

Dr. Holland has had a particular impact on my time in the Lott program. I enjoyed his class and how he presented the material. He really pushed us in our 101 class to engage with the material and with our peers; he also brought in a lot of diverse speakers to show us all the opportunities that the Lott program and Public Policy offer.

What is a particularly meaningful way you have engaged in a community either on or off campus?

During the summer of 2025, I interned with the Mississippi Secretary of State's office in the Charities Division. During this experience, I engaged directly with non-profits across the state. This role gave me hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of the division's impactful work across the state.

Tres is a senior PPL major from Rienzi, Mississippi. He is a transfer student from North East Mississippi Community College. This year he serves on the Lott Student Advisory Board as the Social Events & Merchandise Chair.

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 Q&A with Tres

Why did you choose PPL as your major and what was the appeal of the Lott program?

Tres chose to apply to the Lott Institute because of its reputation of leadership, its meaningful network, and ability to connect students with real-world opportunities as a major factor in his decision. He likes the emphasis on service, professional growth, and preparing students to make an impact in their communities as soon as they graduate. PPL coursework combines politics and policy in a way that develops critical thinking and leadership skills. 

What are your career aspirations?

Tres aspires to lead in state and local public service. His focus is on conservative policies that strengthen communities, support rural development, and promote economic growth. He also aims to continue building strong networks that push young people to run for office.

Is there a professor or staff member that has been particularly helpful to you? 

Dr. Melissa Jones and Katelin Hayward have been major players in guiding Tres with his academic and professional growth. Their mentorship, willingness to provide feedback, and encouragement to go after opportunity have made a lasting impact on his time at Ole Miss. They have always pushed him to make the most of his time in the Lott Institute.

What is a meaningful way you have engaged in a community either on or off campus?

One of his most meaningful community engagements was leading a fundraiser in the ASB that raised over $9,000 for the Christopher C. Holman Memorial Endowment, which supports students in crisis. This allowed him to put his experience into action to make a real difference. Additionally, he volunteers for different community service projects in Oxford and for nonprofits.

Jill is a sophomore Public Policy Leadership and Economics major and is the current Co-Student Affairs Chair for the Lott Student Advisory Board. She is also involved in many campus organizations including The Grove Retreat, Cru, Sorority Life, the Pre-Law Club, and the Student Activities Association.

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Q&A with Jill 

Why did you choose PPL as your major and what was the appeal of the Lott program?

I chose to apply to the Lott Leadership Institute due to the amazing opportunities and different learning environments that the program provides. Lott students have smaller, interactive, and challenging classes that allow students to really connect and be friends. 

What is a particularly meaningful way you have engaged in a community either on or off campus?

One way that I feel that I have impacted this community in a meaningful way is the time I served at More Than A Meal this spring semester. Serving food to local citizens of Oxford who need these services most heavily showed me how to never take anything for granted. But also highlighted how many locals around us need help most!

Tack is a PPL and Philosophy double major. He serves as the Co-Student Affairs Chair at the Lott Leadership Institute. Over the next school year and following summer, he plans to take on a leadership role in volunteer operations for a gubernatorial campaign.

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 Q&A with Tack 

Why did you choose PPL as your major and what was the appeal of the Lott program?

I chose to apply to the Lott Instiute and pursue PPL as my major because the program teaches students how to become effective leaders in practice, which is crucial to both professional and personal success. Most notably, I was drawn to the program’s multifaceted nature, as the skills it provides allow students to pursue virtually any professional path, including careers in law, healthcare, business, economics, and more.

What are your career aspirations?

 After Ole Miss, I plan to go to law school and use my degrees to advocate for social change—either through appellate litigation, where I can challenge systemic issues in court, or through policy advocacy, where I can represent underrepresented groups and create meaningful change from the ground up.

Davis is a junior PPL major. He currently serves as the Ambassador Chair for the Trent Lott Leadership Institute. Additionally, he serves on the Judicial Board, Philanthropy Committee, and Food Committee for the Interfraternity Council. Davis is also a member of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College. 

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Q&A with Davis 

Why did you choose PPL as your major and what was the appeal of the Lott program?

The Lott Institute especially appealed to me because it offered a unique opportunity to strengthen my skills within a challenging, tight-knit community of driven students. I was also drawn to the Institute's emphasis on leadership development and its relationship to public policy and public service. I chose PPL as my major because I am drawn to using reading and writing as tools to research, articulate, and persuade.

Is there a professor or staff member that has been particularly helpful to you? 

Dr. Liu has been particularly helpful throughout my college journey, not only because of her carefully curated lesson planning and assignments, but also because of the time she took to foster meaningful discussion in class. Additionally, her willingness to meet outside of class was incredibly beneficial to my growth as a student. She pushed me to develop a fuller understanding of the material while honing my critical thinking skills.