SR1 Offers Free STEM Education in Jackson, MS, Region

SR1

Dorlisa Hutton was born and raised in Mississippi, and never considered leaving. Today, Hutton is the chief operating officer of SR1, an organization that offers free STEM education in Jackson and seven counties across Central Mississippi. Hutton uses her passion for community education to help increase the quality of life for students and families in Jackson and beyond.

“Community has always been important to me,” Hutton says. “I know we face some challenges (in Mississippi), and I feel like I can contribute if I stay here.”

Volunteer Spirit Shines

Hutton began volunteering in schools from a young age, while still in school herself. In college, she served as an AmeriCorps member at the West Jackson Community Development Corporation and Hinds County Human Resources Agency for two years. The experience eventually led her to volunteer for SR1 under CEO Tamu Green. Green founded SR1 in 2005 after determining a need to eliminate disparities in health, education and technology in Central Mississippi.

Those three areas remain integral to SR1’s mission. As COO, Hutton now oversees programs in each of the areas and provides support to the SR1 staff. Through hands-on programs, from STEM classes to outdoor recreation and life skills, SR1 seeks to prepare students for college and beyond. Partners like Millsaps College, which hosts SR1’s summer programs, allow students to gain experience on college campuses before going out on their own.

SR1 services are free, and programs take place during non-school hours including after school, on weekends and during summer. Students can be recommended for SR1 by parents, teachers or counselors. Once a student enters the program, SR1 is committed to seeing their journey through to graduation. 

Cross-Generational Impact

For many students who participate in SR1, going to college may not have previously been an option. Hutton, who was the first in her family to attend college, has worked with many students in the same situation.

“It doesn’t matter where you live, it doesn’t matter if you’re the first in your family to go to college,” Hutton says. “We know this program can offer something beneficial for everyone.”

Hutton recalls the first class of sixth graders she worked with when she was hired in 2011 who are now college graduates. Many of those students came back to work for SR1 as mentors and educators. Yet the impact doesn’t stop at students; one parent from this group was inspired by her son to complete her high school education and attend college herself.

“Not only are we impacting individuals, but we’re impacting families. And when you’re able to impact families, you impact communities,” Hutton says.

Healthier Communities

Hutton believes that focusing on health, another key component of SR1’s mission, is essential to building a strong community. SR1 offers cooking classes that teach parents and students ways to cook healthier meals with ingredients they have on hand. Hutton says that it is not enough for communities to be food secure, they also need to be nutrition secure.

In addition, a program for beginning farmers helps teach local farmers ways to provide healthier food for their communities. Last year, SR1 donated 500 pounds of organically grown collard greens to the Jackson community, a number they hope to double this year.

Lasting Results

As demand for STEM-related jobs increases in Mississippi and beyond, SR1 continues to encourage students not just in engineering or technology, but other STEM-adjacent fields like nursing.

The efforts are paying off. SR1 has a 100% graduation rate among its students and received a Hugh I. Peck Memorial Research Award from Mississippi State University in 2016.

For Hutton, the opportunity to make a difference in her community through SR1 is what keeps her in her home state. “What I think about a lot is how can I bless families to make an impact for generations that I won’t even see,” Hutton says. “That’s what drives me.”