From pre-vet to educator: MCC alumnus Dunnam Shirley finds his calling
Though Meridian Community College alumnus Dunnam Shirley’s career path didn’t go as first planned, he wouldn’t change a thing.
As a high school student, he had his heart set on pre-vet studies at Mississippi State University right out of school. But around Christmas of his senior year at Southeast High School, it became clear that wasn’t the path for him; education was to be his destiny.
Now a fourth-generation educator, Shirley said he believes education is a calling placed on certain individuals to positively impact the leaders of tomorrow daily.
“I can think back on my educational experience where several teachers and administrators had a monumental influence on my life and career. It’s teachers of this caliber I aspire to be one day,” Shirley said.
He wanted to start his college career at MSU but quickly realized it was not the most financially responsible decision. That’s when he turned to MCC. Specifically, the MCC Foundation’s Tuition Guarantee tipped the scales for him. “I was still able to receive top-notch education while living at home and not paying a dime,” Shirley said.
With its signature Tuition Guarantee Program, the MCC Foundation underwrites any part of the tuition not covered by financial aid for graduates of Lauderdale County high schools and homeschooled grads.
Shirley made the most of his time at MCC, studying in the University Transfer Program. “I took a wealth of classes but concentrated in the area of science since it was what I planned to teach,” he said. But Shirley did more than attend classes by embracing every opportunity to connect and grow. He was president of Phi Theta Kappa, a member of the Ivy League recruiting team and the Baptist Student Union. He was also a student tutor in the college’s Student Success Center and performed sports-related duties for the college’s radio station. During the May 2019 graduation ceremonies, Shirley received the H.M. Ivy Scholarship.
During his MCC years, he traveled far and wide, from Rome to the Dominican Republic and even Sydney, Australia.
“I can assure you that I would not have had any of these experiences had I not gotten involved at MCC,” he added.
Shirley agreed: “MCC laid a firm foundation as I began my higher-education journey; my experience at MCC provided me with valuable skills and networking opportunities that have helped me see much success in my career.”
After leaving MCC, he studied at MSU in Starkville, majoring in secondary education with a concentration in biology, and received endorsements in chemistry and social science. Shirley took a job at Southeast Lauderdale Middle School, teaching eighth-grade science. More schooling was in his future, though. He earned his master’s degree in educational leadership, with a teacher leadership concentration, and his education specialist degree.
Others have noticed his work, too, and his commitment to inspiring the next generation. Shirley was named Southeast Middle School Teacher of the Year, STEM Teacher of the Year by the Mississippi Air & Space Force Association, and Mississippi State’s Mississippi Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (MACTE) Outstanding Professional Educator.
Shirley’s dedication extends beyond the middle school’s classroom walls. He’s also the assistant athletic director, a bus driver, and an interim youth minister at his church, Bethany Baptist, where he grew up. Raised on a small farm in southeastern Lauderdale County, Shirley credits his parents, Terry and Cindy, for teaching him and his sister, Julyn Shirley, hard work and integrity.
For more information, visit meridiancc.edu/alumni.