Ashland High School seniors spent two days last week on Ashland High college visits, touring Rust College in Holly Springs and Northwest Mississippi Community College. The Benton County school shared the trips in a Facebook post on Thursday, Nov. 5, saying the Class of 2027 had “a busy week exploring their future opportunities.”
Ashland High College Visits: Rust and Northwest
On Wednesday, Nov. 4, the seniors attended High School Day at Rust College, which was held during the college’s Founders Week celebration. The next day, Thursday, Nov. 5, the group visited Northwest Mississippi Community College.
The school said students on both trips explored areas they’re interested in, learned about academic programs and found out what each college offers. It called the visits “two great experiences” that help seniors take their next steps.
Who: Ashland High School seniors, Class of 2027
Wednesday, Nov. 4: High School Day at Rust College, Holly Springs
Thursday, Nov. 5: Visit to Northwest Mississippi Community College
Focus: Academic programs, campus life and career interests
About the Two Colleges
Rust College is a private, historically Black college in Holly Springs, roughly 15 miles west of Ashland in Marshall County. It was founded in 1866, so 2026 marks its 160th year, and it hosted Founders Week events on campus last week.
Northwest Mississippi Community College is a public two-year college with its main campus in Senatobia. It offers academic transfer programs and career and technical training.
The two trips gave Ashland’s seniors a look at two very different paths: a four-year private college and a community college. Visits like these often help students compare programs, costs and campus life before applications and scholarship deadlines arrive later in the school year. For many families in rural Benton County, seeing a campus in person is also the easiest way to picture the drive, the housing and the daily routine a student would have.
Part of a Push for College and Career Readiness
The school tagged the post #CollegeAndCareerReady and #BlueDevilPride. Schools across the area have been helping seniors plan for life after graduation this fall. In October, Ripley High seniors heard from Northeast Mississippi Community College’s workforce staff about career options. In Middleton, the Ayers Foundation has been working with Middleton High students on getting into college.
Parents with questions about senior-year planning can contact Ashland High School or the Benton County School District.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
