JACKSON, Miss. - Secretary of State Michael Watson hosted the 2026-2027 Secretary of State (SOS) Student Ambassadors for their Fall Summit on Thursday. The event, hosted at the Two Mississippi Museums in Jackson, marked the first of the in-person summits the Student Ambassadors will attend throughout the school year.
“Since the inception of the Student Ambassador Program, we have seen tremendous growth and impact on our young leaders. Investing in and mentoring our future generations remains one of our most important public services. I’m honored to have this opportunity to interact with Mississippi’s best and brightest as we enter the fifth year of the program,” said Secretary Michael Watson.
The Student Ambassadors had the opportunity to participate in a reverse Q&A with Secretary Watson to discuss some of the biggest challenges facing Mississippi’s youth and ways state officials may address some of their concerns. Another highlight from the day included a panel featuring Assistant Secretaries of State from four divisions of the Secretary of State’s Office and Chief of Staff Carla Thornhill.
Student Ambassadors also toured the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion and participated in a Lunch & Learn Q&A with Wade Meena, Senior Vice President of Managed Services and Customer Experience for C Spire. Through a special partnership with the C Spire Foundation, award-winning Chef Nick Wallace and his team provided lunch for the students.
"At the C Spire Foundation, we believe that preparing students for the future extends beyond the classroom. The Secretary of State’s Student Ambassador Program provides young people with meaningful opportunities to develop leadership skills, engage in public service, and make a positive impact in their communities. We are proud to support a program that inspires Mississippi students to lead with purpose and vision," said Jim Richmond, Executive Director of the C Spire Foundation.
The SOS Student Ambassador Program equips high school seniors with the knowledge and resources to engage as leaders within their schools and communities. The three main components of the program are teaching students about elections and voting (including how to host a voter registration drive at their school), state government, and mentorship. Marking the fifth year of the program, the 2026-2027 class consists of 75 students from 60 schools in 32 counties across all four congressional districts.
For questions regarding the SOS Student Ambassador Program, or if you’re interested in partnering with our office on the program, please contact our Communications & Publications Division at Ambassadors@sos.ms.gov.
Click here to view the 2026-2027 SOS Student Ambassadors
Click here to learn more about the SOS Student Ambassador Program
