Mentoring others has been a passion for senior Jarell Colston since coming to Mississippi State.
The biochemistry major has dedicated much of his time over the last few years to serving others at MSU, from working as both a resident advisor and an Alumni Delegate at the university to leading in the Holmes Cultural Diversity Center's new Peers Assisting With Students (PAWS) program.
The program mentors new freshmen by serving as a resource for the students. PAWS counselors mentor freshmen individually as well as hold programs to get the students involved on campus.
"It's been great investing in this," Colston said. "This year, I've taken everything I've learned about communication and service while at State and applied it here with PAWS."
Colston, a native of Shaw, also serves on the university's Student Code of Conduct Board and as a mentor to elementary-age children through Project AIM in the Starkville community. He credits his past mentors at MSU for his dedication to investing in others.
"I had people show me the ropes when nobody else would," he said. "They went out of their way to help me, with no benefit to them. If I can help someone out like that, why wouldn't I?"
He hopes to continue caring for others upon graduation from MSU by fulfilling his goal of becoming a cardiologist.
"My father died from a heart attack before I was born, and my stepfather just passed away from a heart attack as well. It's a problem that needs to be solved, so that's where I'm headed," he stated.
Colston also plans to give back to future Bulldogs.
"Starting out, I want to branch out and see the world, but I want to end back up in Mississippi. This is where I want to give back," Colston said.
"Somewhere down the line, I'd love to set up a scholarship fund here, some way to help people, even if it's just to help cover books. I want to make sure finances aren't the reason someone doesn't come to MSU."
Despite ambitious goals and a busy schedule, Colston never forgets the importance of the individual connections he makes while mentoring.
"Sometimes you don't see the progress with a person you're helping until that one time they let you know that something you did helped them," he said. "And that's what I'm here for- those moments."