Update: A previous version of this article said that Tyler Powe is from Meridian, Mississippi. He is from Jackson, Mississippi.
Tyler Powe first stepped onto Mississippi State University’s campus as an attendee at a conference held by Students Paving A Road to Knowledge, or S.P.A.R.K., an organization geared toward rising high school seniors. Surrounded by students like himself and led by a Bulldog who knew the ropes, Powe’s eyes were opened to what his college life could be, who he could become and what a university could do to help him invest in his future.
However, MSU is not where he decided to begin his collegiate journey, instead choosing Jackson State University.
After spending some time there, Powe recounted that it just was not the place for him compared to what he had seen and experienced in Starkville. He decided to come back to where it all began. He now finds himself as a senior at MSU, majoring in business information systems with numerous accolades, executive titles and even more unforgettable memories.
Powe did not let his late start define how far he would go. The Jackson, Mississippi, native has made learning the art of leadership and service a pinnacle of his college experience. He began this walk by transferring his membership with Men of Excellence, or MOX, at Jackson State to MSU’s own branch and creating a reputation bustling with leadership, service and vision.
Matthew Gray, a senior general science major with a marketing minor, has shared a friendship with Powe, both having similar experiences as transfers, and this year, the two serve on MOX’s executive board. Gray spoke highly of his friend’s character and work ethic.
“I can confidently say his character brings passion, peace and a whole different world. I truly feel like he bridges gaps like subclasses — gaps between the Black community here,” Gray said.
As the director of administration for MOX, Powe takes care of the behind-the-scenes of the organization, making sure all information is correctly documented, and even reaching out to teach his peers about certain professional skills, deeming it all as part of the job.
“He offered stability and organization to the team,” Gray said, “He’s also been able to teach people how to use Excel, how to do PowerPoint.”
Powe sees his ability to work behind a screen and take command of organizations as a skill not only to advance himself, but those beside and behind him.
“I do see myself working with children and being a mentor,” Powe said. “Mentorship is a very big pillar in my core values. I love children and helping them get to where I’m going because a lot of students don’t know about business information systems or how they can use technology to live even though they’re on technology every day.”
Winning awards like the Emerging Leader award from the Montgomery Leadership Program and serving as Student Association policy clerk and as a New Maroon Camp counselor, Powe is set to take the skills he has learned on campus to do great things, like continuing to inspire his community.
Makayla Drummond, a senior kinesiology major, sparked a friendship with a freshman Powe during a Black Student Association event, an organization he is vice president of today. Powe is one of her closest friends now.
“I can always count on Tyler to remind me of who I am and my purpose. He has inspired me to step out of my comfort zone and be confident in my own way of leading,” Drummond said. “He’s a good one.”
For those around him, Powe is “that light,” seeking to educate and uplift those around him because that is a part of what living leadership out looks like for him. He plans to keep looking into and walking through doors of opportunity, seeing himself as fully capable of succeeding.
“I don’t believe in imposter syndrome,” Powe said, “When you’re qualified, and you’re confident… that’s something that no one can take away from me. Somebody may look at your skin tone or certain things as a disadvantage — you can always use that to leverage. Because now you’re different, and that’s what makes you unique.”
Powe’s college career may just be beginning, however, as he seeks to either become a two-time alum at MSU by pursuing a master’s degree in information technology or join the workforce by accepting one of many offers from companies he has interned with. For him, the choice between the two is dependent on what seems best for him at the time.
As he rounds out his final semester of his bachelor’s degree, Powe looks back on it all and leaves some guidance for students everywhere.
“Be genuine and be yourself. When you try to put yourself in a cookie-cutter mold or try to be like everyone else, then you lose your authenticity,” Powe said.
According to his friends and peers, Powe has shone a light by daring them to create change. As he closes the door on his undergraduate journey, he believes he was able to do it all with an earnest, caring spirit. He was even able to make a full circle in his story, becoming that Bulldog that did things like becoming a S.P.A.R.K. crew leader and New Maroon Camp counselor to lead the way for current and future students at MSU.
