Northwest Announces 2026 William Winter Scholars

by Sarah Smith-Hutchinson

Senatobia, MS (03/23/2026) — Northwest Mississippi Community College's 2026 William Winter Scholars are English instructor Dr. Rebecca Mitchell of Nesbit and Kinesiology and Exercise student and National Champion soccer player Lara Stevens of Birmingham, England.

The William Winter Scholar program instructor honoree is chosen by the college's academic administration, while the student honoree is chosen by a faculty member in the Humanities department. The pair was honored at the Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration (NLCC) Feb. 26-28 at Copiah-Lincoln Community College's Natchez campus. The NLCC theme this year was "Stories of American Freedom."

"I gained a deeper appreciation for Southern culture and the many, often overlooked, ways the South has shaped American history," said Dr. Mitchell. "I was interested in the discussions about how Southern women carved out space in public discourse, especially through their participation in the World's Fair and politics. Experiences like this remind me of why it is important to continue the educational legacy of William Winter."

Dr. Mitchell said that as an educator who loves teaching literature and discussing culture with students, she left the convention with new stories, ideas and historical connections that she looked forward to bringing back to her classroom. Dr. Mitchell got her master's degree in English and her doctorate in Literary and Cultural Studies from the University of Memphis.

For both honorees, this was an honor they were excited to receive. This showcases their hard work and commitment to academia.

"Receiving this award means a lot to me as it shows that my hard work in English has paid off," said Stevens. "I enjoy the class and the writing that we do, so this recognition makes me feel proud of the effort I put in. It also motivates me to keep challenging myself and continuing to grow and work hard as a student."

Stevens said this provided her the opportunity to learn more about the South in the United States, while seeing a new part of Mississippi and learning the role it plays in how the U.S. functions even now. She said she enjoyed getting to be a part of something bigger than herself. When she isn't hard at work in the classroom, she can be found on the soccer field, in the gym, or spending time with her friends and shopping.

When Dr. Mitchell isn't teaching, she can be found at her kids' sporting events with her husband, or playing tennis, reading or spending time outdoors.

To learn more about Northwest, please visit northwestms.edu.

Media Attachments