By William H. Kelly III
Centirea Peterson will graduate from Jackson State University on Saturday, April 29, at 20, with a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration. Peterson will also serve as the grand marshall of the School of Public Health with a 3.9 GPA.
After completing the Middle College Program at Hattiesburg High School in her hometown of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Peterson achieved her collegiate milestone with haste and determination. The Middle College Program in Hattiesburg offers high-achieving high school juniors a pathway toward earning an associate’s degree through Pearl River Community College. This means Peterson earned her high school diploma and associate’s degree simultaneously before enrolling at JSU.
“In the long run, I feel like it all paid off,” said Peterson, who says that although she is graduating at 20, with the nation’s average being 23, she is more than ready to pursue her field head-on. I’ve been prepared academically and professionally to go into this field by Jackson State. I know what I’m talking about, which is important. I said that when I leave, I need to know what healthcare administration is.”
After two years at Jackson State, the Hattiesburg native affirms that her motive behind studying medicine stems from the health conditions she witnessed with her family.
“I decided to enter this field because of common illnesses affecting our community. Auntie got high blood pressure. Cousin got high cholesterol. Pops got diabetes. That is very prevalent in my family, as well as breast cancer. “I don’t want that for me. I want to break those generational curses. So health care has always been important to me, as being healthy and knowing what I need to do to stay healthy. So, that was another motivating factor for me to choose health care administration,” she explained.
Peterson plans to continue her education and pursue a master’s in public health, further diversify the health field, reach patients that may not typically have access to adequate healthcare, and “be a part of the change.”
“People are more open to going to the hospital to get check-ups, pre-assessments, and other things when they see people that look like them and people that they feel like they can trust,” said Peterson. “I have always cared for people, but not in a way that’s the first point of contact, like a nurse or doctor. Healthcare administration is like the business side of healthcare.”
Peterson said she could work with policies, policymakers, program implementation, and creation to benefit people’s health. “It’s the perfect major for me to still be in healthcare, affect patient care access and outcomes, but not be on the front line.”
As commencement approaches, Peterson reflects on her experience as a young graduate and how she received pushback for pursuing college so early. Overall, Peterson encourages others to do what goes against the status quo.
“Do it even if you feel like others are not. Do what you want to do. Do what you think is best. You don’t have to be in college that long to get the full experience and the education you need to feel fully prepared to go into the field you want. It’ll pay off in the long run if that is what you really want to do,” said Peterson. “Take advantage of your opportunities and stay focused on what you want to do.”
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Media Contact: William H. Kelly III, William.h.kelly@jsums.edu