Kaleb Henry’s college experience can be summed up in one word: community. Leaving his close-knit hometown to come to the University of Mississippi was like walking into a room full of strangers for the Waynesboro native.
He quickly found ways to get involved in the Ole Miss community while navigating his own college courses. Henry served as a Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Ambassador, vice president of the Ole Miss chapter of the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers and president of the UM chapter of the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program.
“Helping others and being involved in the community is a huge part of my life,” said Henry, who will graduate in May with a degree in biochemistry from the College of Liberal Arts.
However, Henry credits his involvement with the Supplement Instruction program (SI) as instrumental in his academic success. The program provides weekly student-run structured review sessions for historically difficult classes, such as ones required for pre-med majors like physics and organic chemistry.
“Being part of SI defined my whole Ole Miss experience by helping me build connections with my fellow students as well as being able to develop personal interactions with my professors,” said Henry, who began serving as a leader in the program during his sophomore year.
“Those sessions gave me the chance to really get to know the course material and helped with my articulation skills, learning how to explain the information in easy, understandable terms.
“It opened my eyes to the countless opportunities education provides — not only in what I can learn, but also in what I can teach others,” said Henry, who plans to pursue a career in pediatric medicine.
The Ole Miss First Scholarship (OMF) program and Henry’s connection with Rosie McDavid, who retired from her role as program coordinator in 2024, “changed my life drastically,” he said. “Knowing Mrs. Rosie and being an OMF scholar are everything.”
OMF provides mentoring and leadership development in conjunction with tuition assistance.
“Because of OMF and being encouraged to volunteer with community organizations, I formed numerous connections in Oxford, developed a variety of relationships and benefited from opportunities that allowed me to learn more about myself and know with certainty that working in the pediatrics field is my calling,” he said.
Henry volunteered to provide afterschool tutoring through Leap Frog, oversee activities at a retirement community and care for rescued dogs at Second Chance Animal Alliance.
Anna Booth Weems, Ole Miss First program manager, says Henry continually embraced the program’s commitment to academic excellence, community service and leadership.
“I quickly noticed Kaleb’s dedication to service and his willingness to help others, even without being prompted,” Weems said. “His participation in Ole Miss First events has been consistent — whether he’s attending mentoring sessions at the office, joining our monthly group dinners or serving as a mentor to younger students in our program, especially when others have needed suggestions for community service opportunities.
“For me, seeing the growth of students like Kaleb during their time here is a hopeful reminder of all the good that young people are doing. Getting to support them along the way is an honor and a privilege.”
Henry’s above-and-beyond service work was recognized when he received the 2024 Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, the university’s highest award for students providing service to others, and by being named the Oxford Park Commission’s Coach of the Year in 2025, for working with a 7- to 8-year-old basketball team.
“The first part of our season was a learning experience because of my high expectations but seeing the transformation in the players as they learned about teamwork, I needed the humility,” Henry said. “By our last game, the kids were all asking to come to my graduation.”
By Mary Stanton Knight/UM Development