Ashley (Luke) Boatner

Where are you now? 

NeShoba Central High School, Philadelphia, MS

Why did you choose to go to MSU?

Choosing to go to Mississippi State University was one of the easiest decisions I have ever had to make. The campus was filled with such a welcoming atmosphere that just felt like home. I had always dreamed of going to college at MSU, but never knew quite how I was going to make that happen; the METP scholarship afforded me this experience and gave me countless opportunities that I otherwise would not have had.  

How did the METP program enhance your college experience at Mississippi State?

The Mississippi Excellence in Teaching Program gave me a network of friends from all over the state and other parts of the country who shared in my passion for teaching and truly being able to make a difference in the lives of our future students. METP gave me the opportunity to get early hands-on experience in the classroom and to interact with some of the state's top leaders in education.

What are some of your on-campus involvements outside of METP?

I was a member of the Sigma Phi Lambda sorority, where I served as the coordinator for Campus Outreach. I was a member of the Kappa Delta Pi honor society, Future Educators of America, and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. I was also involved in the Shackouls Honors College and participated in the Day One Leadership Program.

Please share a funny moment/interesting fact about yourself.

I love baking and even have a huge collection of cookbooks; ironically, however, the only course I've ever dropped out of during my time at MSU was a cake-decorating class I signed up for my freshman year. Apparently I'm much better at solving math problems than icing a cake.