By Anthony Howard
(JACKSON, Miss.) – High school students participating in the Mississippi Summer Transportation Institute (MSTI) at Jackson State University immersed themselves in engineering and transportation through hands-on activities, bridge-building challenges, classroom instruction and educational field experiences. JSU’s College of Science, Engineering and Technology hosted the closing ceremony on Friday, July 17.
Hosted in partnership with the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT), the institute gave students an early look at engineering while encouraging them to think critically about their future educational and career opportunities. Established in 2013, MSTI introduces local high school students to careers shaping Mississippi’s infrastructure.
Ke Jun Wen, Ph.D., associate professor in Jackson State’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and interim department chair, said the institute is more than a summer camp. She explained how it’s an opportunity to help students discover how engineering influences nearly every aspect of daily life.
“Engineering isn’t something students always think about as a career because so much of the work happens behind the scenes,” Wen said. “Programs like MSTI allow them to experience engineering firsthand, solve real problems and understand how their ideas can make a difference in their communities.”
Students spent the program participating in collaborative design challenges, learning transportation concepts, touring engineering facilities and applying classroom lessons through hands-on projects while exploring emerging technologies.
For participant Saniya Bennett, the institute reinforced a dream she already had. Before arriving at Jackson State, Bennett planned to pursue civil engineering in college. The program gave her an opportunity to experience the profession before stepping onto a college campus.
“I knew I wanted to go to college for civil engineering because I love constructing, building and designing,” Bennett said. “This was a great opportunity for me before I go to college. I’ve already been exposed to it and know what I’m interested in once I get there.”
Bennett expressed joy in seeing a project come together from start to finish and confirmed that she had chosen the right career path.
“I like the more hands-on portion where I get to feel and see what I’m doing,” she said. “Once the product is complete, it’s like, ‘Wow, I built it.'”
Justin Rawls, programs coordinator for MDOT’s Office of Civil Rights, said the institute has remained successful because it introduces students to career paths they may have never considered.
“We want to let the kids know there are other avenues to pursue for success besides the typical ones they always hear about,” Rawls said. “Engineering is such a big part of life in ways that we don’t even notice on a daily basis. We hope this program opens their eyes and sparks an interest in careers they may want to pursue.”
Rawls said MDOT remains committed to the institute because of its proven impact and longstanding partnership with Jackson State.
“It’s been easy to work with Jackson State over the years because they do such a good job,” Rawls said. “It’s a long-standing relationship and a successful one.”
Another MTSI participant, Samuel Tyler, said he is still deciding what he wants to study in college. He believes the experience encouraged him to think more intentionally about his future and MSTI was an opportunity to explore new possibilities.
“I feel like it helped me grow,” Tyler said. “It exposed me to more opportunities.”
That growth was evident to his father, Eddie Tyler, Sr., who enrolled both of his children in the program after learning about it from family members.
“I think it gave Samuel a chance to think about what he wanted to do,” Tyler Sr. said. “With London, I think it helped her growth and her confidence.”
He said watching his daughter apply concepts she learned throughout the program during her final presentation was one of the highlights of the summer.
“She didn’t use a chart or anything,” Tyler Sr. said. “She used what she learned in the program.”
As Jackson State continues investing in the next generation of innovators, Wen believes programs like MSTI are helping students build pathways to college, careers and lifelong success.