MCC graduate receives first Bower Foundation scholarship
Ja’Nyra Henderson has broken new ground.
The Meridian woman and Meridian Community College graduate is the first recipient of a Bower Foundation scholarship designed to support social work students at Mississippi State University-Meridian.
“This has been such a relief financially and an amazing opportunity,” said Henderson, 20, who is now enrolled at MSU-Meridian.
The Bower Foundation, a Mississippi-based nonprofit, directs its funding and energies into creating sustainable, systemic improvements to the state’s health and education infrastructures. Last year, its board of directors awarded $498,599 to MSU-Meridian’s social work program.
Social Work Program Director and Clinical Assistant Professor Angela Savage said the grant will help alleviate the shortage of social workers in Mississippi.
“We’re extremely grateful to receive this grant,” she said. “It helps with workforce initiative to get students working and trained in healthcare so we can improve the health outcomes for our state.”
Savage said misconceptions exist about the roles of social workers.
“Although we work in child welfare, it’s important that people also understand social workers are very versatile, and healthcare has a great need for social workers,” Savage said. “We can work alongside nurses and doctors to help with the healthcare disparities plaguing our state. We are an integral part of and play a significant role in helping with healthcare outcomes.”
Henderson’s passion for social work was ignited at MCC upon taking a sociology class taught by Sociology Instructor Kim Coward.
“As I started college, I wanted to do psychology and focus on the mind; however, taking sociology and having Mrs. Coward as a teacher was a big opening door for me,” Henderson said. “That class is amazing, and she is a fantastic teacher. It brought me into social work. And I’m very grateful for that.”
Henderson, who plans to graduate in May 2026 with a bachelor’s degree in social work, balances her studies with part-time work and volunteering. Despite her busy schedule, she remains focused on becoming a licensed social worker.“I want to work with people in nursing homes and hospitals and help in those areas,” she said.
Savage noted the grant also offers the chance to educate the public about the importance and need for social work.
Jones College, East Central Community College, and East Mississippi Community College also participate in the grant opportunity. The goal, Savage noted, is to identify one student from each of the four colleges to start their social work career under the grant in the fall.
For more information, visit meridiancc.edu.