Pearl River Community College

Pearl River recently premiered the school’s new motivational podcastand YouTube show The Wildcat Way Show. 

The show, co-hosted by PRCC Marketing and Communication Specialist Kari Eve Valence and PRCC Public Relations Specialist Kendale Lumpkins, re-affirms the school’s mantra of the Wildcat Way: Pride, Respect, Class and Character. It is meant to serve as a way to share the uplifting, hardworking and motivational stories of the Wildcat Community. 

“Last year I told my team to ‘Dream Big’, that we want to create ways to reach beyond our comfort zone and share the great things that PRCC has to offer with the entire world,” Associate Vice President of Marketing and Communication Candace Harper said. “The Wildcat Way Show allows us to reach a variety of different groups through a multi-level, multimedia solution. Through the use of our Podcast, YouTube channel, website and social media outlets we are able to captivate a wide target audience through our marketing channels. Our whole goal of marketing is to ‘get the right message to the right person at the right time.’ I am very proud of the professionalism and commitment the entire Marketing Team has committed to making this show a reality. They make PRCC proud.” 

Episodes of the show are released every Tuesday at 10 a.m. on the show’s YouTube channel and Apple Podcast store. Each week they will be broaching a new topic that they hope will inspire and motivate the Wildcat Family. The latest episode covered “tough talks” during which the hosts offered advice and guidance on how to best delve into difficult conversations with friends, family or co-workers.

“We started The Wildcat Way Show to motivate, uplift and inspire,” Marketing and Communication Specialist and TWWS host Kari Eve Valence said. “We want to share our own personal life experiences, our different backgrounds and upbringings, and show how through an open mind and an open-heart, people of all walks of life can unite as one. We hope this show will serve as a way to encourage people to live their lives The Wildcat Way, with pride, respect, class and character.”

Before joining the Wildcat Family Valence was a columnist for the New Orleans Times Picayune and NOLA.com. 

For years prior Valence worked at WLOX News in Biloxi, MS as a Multi-Media Journalist and Producer where she covered breaking news stories, anchored the “Around the Region'' daily news segment, and wrote in-depth pieces for air, website, and social media spots. She got her “big break” while working at WDSU in New Orleans, LA while completing her Bachelors Degree in English from the University of New Orleans.

Following Hurricane Katrina Valence took a year off of school, where she was studying Political Science at Rhodes College in Memphis, TN, and enrolled in Americorps NCCC*, the National Civilian Community Corp. Through this program Valence traveled across the country to address critical needs in education, disaster relief, public safety, and the environment. She worked disaster relief in both Mississippi and Louisiana where she assisted with developing emergency plans of action with FEMA, manned Red Cross stations, and both demolished and rebuilt ravaged homes, schools, and businesses across our coastline, partnered with Teach for America tutoring children with Autism in Philadelphia, New York City and Baltimore, and constructed homes with Habitat for Humanity in Connecticut after a devastating complex fire left hundreds of families homeless.

Valence is originally from Buras, LA in southern Plaquemines Parish (home of the Wildcats) where she graduated from Buras High School. She reigned as the 61st Plaquemines Parish Fair & Orange Festival Queen and now lives in Poplarville with her husband Jonah, their son Little Jonah, and their baby daughter Gentry.

Lumpkins is a long time member of the Wildcat Family. Along with being a PRCC Public Relations Specialist, he also serves as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Ambassador. 

“It is my hope that The Wildcat Way Show will be a source of inspiration and hope, not only for Pearl River students and staff, but to the community at large, to navigate through challenging times of their lives,” he said.

Lumpkins is the author of a book “Wrecked, But Not Totaled” where he challenges individuals that want to change the trajectory of their lives. He is also an inspirational speaker and has traveled South Mississippi encouraging audiences to be the best version of themselves. 

“Despite how hard we strive, we always miss a step here or there,” Lumpkins wrote in his book. “Sometimes, our mistakes wreck so much havoc it's hard to get up and start again. If you’ve ever made a mistake, fallen short, felt disappointed, and wanted to give up, this book is not for you. I wrote this book to encourage those of you who have made bad decisions. This book is for people who haven’t always been proud of who they are. This book is for people like me. Your current condition does not determine your future position! Your bad choices may have bent your life out of shape, but you are not totaled. You are still here. You still have purpose.” 

For the last several years Lumpkins has worked as a Safety and Environmental Lead for Shell Oil Company. He is passionate about the safety and health of the people, assets, and the environment. Lumpkins has always been passionate about helping people and is determined to use his communication skills to encourage and inspire the next generation. 

Lumpkins attended PRCC in 2004 and embraced “The Wildcat Way” while serving as the SGA President, River Navigator, and freshmen class favorite. He also spent six months participating in the Disney College Program at Walt Disney World where he had the unique opportunity to meet people from around the world, network and learn new skills. 

Lumpkins was raised in Columbia, MS and is a graduate of Mississippi College where he majored in Communications and minored in Marketing. He now resides in Sumrall with his wife Kim and their three children; Alana, Mekhi, and Kimbrie.

Both co-hosts hope that their experiences will allow them to make a difference in the lives of students and the Wildcat Community at large through The Wildcat Way Show. 

“If we are able to help just one person be the best version of themselves then we’ve done our part in making the world a better place,” Lumpkins said. 

Episodes of The Wildcat Way Show premiere each Tuesday at 10 a.m. on Youtube and Apple Podcast. Be sure to follow The Wildcat Way Show on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and subscribe to the Youtube Channel for all the latest updates. 

For the latest news on Pearl River Community College, visit PRCC.edu and follow us on Twitter (@PRCC_Wildcats)  Instagram](PRCCWILDCATS) and Facebook(@PRCCMKTG).

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Pearl River Community College offers equal education and employment opportunities.  The College does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, veteran status, or disability.  For inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies or to request accommodations, special assistance, or alternate format publication please contact Tonia M. Seal, Director of Admissions and Records/ ADA/Civil Rights Coordinator at P.O. Box 5559, Poplarville, MS 39470 or 601-403-1060 or Maghan James, Assistant Vice President of Student Services/Title IX Coordinator at P.O. Box 5805, Poplarville, MS 39470 or 601-403-1132.