Miles College Honors Students Engage, Present, and Reflect at the Southern Regional Honors Conference

Miles College Honors students recently traveled to Montgomery, Alabama to attend the 2026 Southern Regional Honors Conference, an experience that deepened academic perspective, strengthened confidence, and connected scholarship to real-world impact.

From the moment the trip began, the experience felt intentional. Zion Rucker reflected on the atmosphere early on, sharing that being surrounded by meaningful conversation created “a shared sense of purpose” even before arriving at the conference.

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Once there, that energy only continued. Kelvin Rembert III described the environment as one that encouraged growth and perspective.

“I always value being in the same room with like-minded people… people that look for new ways to change, upgrade, and improve the world.” 

Throughout the conference, students engaged in sessions covering topics such as mental health, political systems, and social entrepreneurship. Naomi Ogunmakin noted that many of these discussions closely aligned with themes explored in the Honors Curriculum, making the experience both relevant and engaging. 

For Rucker, one of the most impactful takeaways came from observing presentations.

“Observing both students and professors present their work showed me the level of preparation, confidence, and depth required… it made the idea of presenting feel more attainable.” 

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For Ogunmakin, presenting her own work marked a significant academic milestone.

“This was my first time presenting at a conference… it was both challenging and exciting, and it showed me where I can continue to grow.” 

There was also a strong sense of pride in seeing Miles College represented through student work. Rucker shared that watching a fellow student present at a high level reinforced both confidence and connection.

“Seeing another student from my institution present at that level was inspiring and reinforced a sense of pride in our academic community.” 

Faculty engagement added another layer to the experience. A featured presentation by Ms.. Angela Williams exploring the impact of “candy ladies” within Black communities stood out across reflections. Ogunmakin noted how the session highlighted that “everyday individuals within our communities contribute to economic empowerment and social change.” 
Rembert also emphasized the session’s impact, sharing that its open, discussion-based format allowed everyone to actively participate and connect the topic to real-life experiences. 

Beyond the sessions, connection remained a central theme. Rembert described the opportunity to meet and engage with students from other HBCUs as a moment of exposure and growth, reinforcing the value of being in spaces with peers who share ambition and purpose. 

The keynote address by Anthony Ray Hinton left a lasting impression across the group. Rembert reflected on Hinton’s story of resilience and injustice, noting the weight of his message and its relevance beyond the conference.

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His words stayed with students: “The sun will shine again.” 

Outside of the conference, visits to Montgomery’s historic legacy sites added depth and reflection. Rucker described the experience as both emotional and eye-opening.

“There was a sense of beautiful pain… understanding the struggles and sacrifices that took place while also appreciating the progress that has been made.” 

Ogunmakin echoed this sentiment, noting that the intentional design of the sites made history feel personal and immersive, allowing students to connect more deeply with the lived experiences behind it. 

By the end of the trip, the impact was clear. Students returned with sharpened perspectives, stronger academic confidence, and a deeper sense of responsibility to contribute to their communities.

“This experience challenged me to think more critically, engage more deeply, and consider my role in contributing to my community,” Rucker reflected.