Cameron Temple
Cameron Temple Smith
B.A. English 2020, M.A. English 2022
Family ties often bring prospective students home to Mississippi State University. For Cameron Temple Smith, it was her brother who highlighted the path to her future success.
“I chose MSU because my older brother attended and loved it. As soon as I toured MSU, I knew it was where I wanted to be. I specifically chose the College of Arts & Sciences because English has been a passion of mine and I knew that was what I wanted to pursue.”
Smith proved her desire to make the most of her college years in many ways throughout her time on campus, including a job in The Writing Center and interning in the College of Arts & Sciences.
“My experiences left me with the best memories and experiences that I reflect on frequently,” she said.
Her fond memories were not just built on experiences, but around people too. Most notably, her mentors in her classes.
“Dr. Shalyn Claggett and Dr. Dhanashree Thorat both motivated me and pushed me out of my comfort zones academically. They made me fall in love with research studies and the digital humanities, something that I am now teaching current students how to do!”
After graduation, Smith began her career as an English teacher at a local community colleges, teaching English Composition I and II. She has also taught various grades of high school. She currently is an English teacher at Loyd Star Attendance Center in her hometown of Brookhaven.
“I am most proud of the lasting impact teaching can have on students. My instructors at MSU, specifically my English instructors, always went out of their way to get to know me personally as well as academically. In turn, I try to do the same for my students that my mentors did for me.”
Today, her family legacy continues at MSU. Smith’s younger brother is a biological sciences/pre-med major in the College of Arts & Sciences. Smith is hopeful the legacy might one day extend to her 7-month-old baby girl.
Her advice to students? “Get involved in as many things as you can!! Your time here is short, and it will be some of the best times of your life, so be sure to make the most of what MSU has to offer!”
“Life-changing” is the word she chose to describe the effect of MSU.
“The experiences, classes, extracurriculars, teachers, etc. that I had during my time at MSU made a lasting impact on me by not only teaching me, but helping me find what I am good at, interested in, and the kind of teacher I myself want to be!”