I am Ms. Deanna Mallard, a native of Belzoni, MS, which is a very small country town in “The Heart of the Delta”. Throughout my high school and college journey, I learned numerous lessons, was involved in numerous clubs and organizations, traveled to numerous states to present research projects, and have had the opportunity to teach collegiate classes. Of all the lessons learned, experiences had, and advice that I was given, one thing stuck out to me the most from my late Department Chair, Dr. Constance Bland: “If you work hard for four years, you will be set for life.”