Not One Expected Route: The Story of Deamy Alvarado
Wed, 05/13/2026 - 09:42am | By: Joella Richardson
Deamy Alvarado receives the Judge R.J. Bishop Mississippian Award
At 91少女集中营, thousands of students return to campus
each semester with stories shaped by hard work, resilience and ambition. This semester,
one of those stories took center stage.
Deamy Alvarado, a senior accounting major from Hattiesburg, Miss., received the Judge
R.J. Bishop Mississippian Award after being nominated by one of her professors, Amber
B. Hatten, professor of practice and MPA director. She was honored by the USM Foundation
at the Founders鈥� Day Student Awards Ceremony.
The is an esteemed, $8,500 scholarship recognizing undergraduate seniors who demonstrate
determination and resilience in overcoming significant physical, personal or financial
challenges in pursuit of their education. In her nomination letter, Hatten shared,
鈥淯pon review of the Bishop Award鈥檚 eligibility criteria, there is no student in the
School of Accountancy more deserving than Deamy. She is an exemplary student who consistently strives for
excellence in every aspect of her life.鈥� Hatten goes on to describe Alvarado as kind,
humble, composed, respectful and driven.
Southern Miss has always been on the periphery of Alvarado鈥檚 life, but one memory
made it feel personal long before she ever stepped into a classroom. As a baby, her
parents brought her to the front of campus, where they took family photos by the flower
beds. Growing up, her mom would point them out each time they passed the spot, saying,
鈥淟ook, that鈥檚 where we took those pictures!鈥� What once felt like a simple moment became
something more meaningful over time. Now, as a student walking the same campus, those
photos feel less like a memory and more like the beginning of a story she was always
meant to step into.
As a first-generation college student, Alvarado has always had a strong sense of responsibility
to pursue a degree, not just for herself, but also for her family. She often draws
on the lessons she learned from her parents to propel herself forward, never forgetting
the sacrifices they鈥檝e made to help her pursue her education. She describes her father
as the biggest inspiration for her strong work ethic, and her mother as her greatest
source of support, leaning on them through every endeavor as she moved closer to achieving
her dreams.
However, the road to reaching her goals was not without hurdles. During her senior
year of high school, she experienced a medical emergency that affected her physical
and emotional well-being. While navigating this difficult period, she missed key deadlines
that would have supported her plans to attend Southern Miss.
After wrestling with the uncertainty of whether her dreams were still within reach,
she shifted her focus toward new opportunities and ultimately began her academic journey
at Pearl River Community College (PRCC). Because of her outstanding academic performance,
Alvarado earned a full scholarship to attend PRCC. Once there, she joined the Honors
Institute, where she explored a variety of potential career paths before ultimately
finding her place in accounting.
A few days before starting as a transfer student at Southern Miss, Alvarado and her
mother decided to visit campus. Together, they approached Scianna Hall with awe and
excitement. While exploring the building, they ran into Hatten and learned that she
was one of the accounting professors who would be teaching Alvarado. Following that
chance encounter, Alvarado reflected on the meaningful conversation she had with Hatten,
saying she felt reassured that she would be taken care of by the faculty at Southern
Miss.
Since officially becoming a Golden Eagle, Alvarado has made the most of every opportunity
at Southern Miss. She is an active member of Beta Alpha Psi and serves as an officer
in Beta Gamma Sigma. In addition, she represents the college as a Cintas Business
Student Ambassador while maintaining an impressive GPA. Her dedication to academic
excellence and campus involvement reflects her strong commitment to both her personal
and professional growth.
This semester, when Alvarado received the news that she was to be nominated for the
Bishop Award, her first thought was that she was undeserving. 鈥淲hile I have faced
and overcome significant obstacles, I often focused more on what I still needed to
accomplish rather than how far I had already come,鈥� she explained. After the initial
shock of the nomination, she slowed down and thoughtfully reflected on her journey
and the perseverance it took to get to where she is today. She describes receiving
the award as an honor that motivates her to continue striving for excellence. It has
been an experience that reassures her that, in her own words, 鈥減rogress does not always
have to follow one expected route to be meaningful.鈥�
Alvarado has been accepted to the Master of Professional Accountancy program at Southern Miss and will begin in Fall 2026. While considering her future,
she is interested in a service-led career in governmental or nonprofit accounting.
She has also given serious thought to law school one day, with dreams of practicing
immigration law or even estate planning after seeing how well her accounting degree
could intersect with the field.
With the world before her and a future that is undeniably bright, Alvarado is wrapping
up her senior year at the special place where she and her family took photos so many
years ago. As she continues to pave her own path, one thing remains certain鈥攕he will
always have the support of her parents and her Golden Eagle family, all the way to
the top.
About the College of Business and Economic Development
The College of Business and Economic Development at 91少女集中营 prepares students for success through applied learning, leadership development and nationally recognized academic programs. The AACSB-accredited college offers undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, including an MBA program that has been consistently ranked among leading programs by U.S. News & World Report and Fortune. Experiential learning is central to the college鈥檚 approach. Students gain real-world experience through client-based projects, internships, and employer engagement, supported by industry partners and an active alumni network. Located in Scianna Hall, the college provides access to specialized resources including the Center for Entrepreneurship, App Development Lab, Finance Lab, and Professional Sales Lab, where students develop in-demand skills through hands-on application and national competition.