Guillot, Hall named Miss and Mr. MUW

Mississippi University for Women seniors Ciara Guillot and Zander Hall have been named Miss and Mr. MUW for the 2026-27 academic year.

Miss and Mr. MUW honors are presented as part of the Hall of Fame, which recognizes students from the graduating class. Honorees, including Miss and Mr. MUW, are elected by their peers.

Guillot is an Associate of Science in Nursing major. Being recognized as Miss MUW is an honor for her, and she does not take it lightly.

“Being named Miss MUW means having the opportunity to show up, advocate for and serve the students, faculty and staff at The W, as well as members of the surrounding community. This role gives me the opportunity to make a meaningful impact both on and off campus while representing a university that has given so much to me,” she said.

The reputation of The W’s nursing program and the affordability drew her to campus. Being an out-of-state transfer student, however, Guillot was incredibly nervous about attending a new school. Those fears were quelled when she attended orientation.

“My favorite memory from my time at The W is my orientation day. I was welcomed with open arms and immediately felt like I belonged,” Guillot said.

She took to campus life with ease, getting involved in several organizations and leadership roles including immediate past president of the Young Black Leaders Association, president of the Omicron Epsilon Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Orientation Leader, participating in the Women’s College as both a scholar and mentor, mentor within the nursing program and participating in Blue Crew as a Blue Basics mentor.

After graduating, Guillot plans to further her education and earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Hall is an elementary education major.

“Being named Mr. MUW means that I have made a lasting impression on this wonderful university. I ran for this position to hopefully be able to give back to the institution that has given so much to me in the four years I have been here,” Hall said.

Hall has been heavily involved on campus in his four years at the university.

This includes being a resident adviser; orientation leader; Student Government Association (SGA) senator, vice president and president; The Brotherhood of Beta Kappa Tau (BKT); Student Programming Board; Red Cross; and the Multicultural Organization.

Through this involvement, he has met countless people across campus.

“I think the thing that stands out the most to me at The W are the people I have met. I know for a fact that the friends I have met here will be friends forever, no matter how far apart life takes us. Not only friends though, the mentors and instructors that I have had a chance to work with. I owe it all to them. They saw the potential in me and pushed me and believed in me,” he said.

Hall plans to attend to graduate school. He feels that The W has more than prepared him to accomplish this and any other goals he sets his sights on.

“I used to hear people say, ‘The W is for special people,’ and I would like to disagree. I think The W is for everyone, but it makes you into a special person,” he said.

A change in the voting

Prior to this term, Miss and Mr. MUW were announced in the spring to coincide with Magnolia Chain and spring commencement. However, SGA voted in the spring to move the voting to the fall to increase engagement and extend recognition of the winners to be in effect for a full academic year instead of close to graduation.

According to Dean of Students Dr. Matthew Miles, the shift led to an increase in voter participation and the number of applicants.

The shift also allows for the elected students to serve as ambassadors for the university.

“The students will be able to assist campus-related marketing such as going to speak at local schools, participating in speaking engagements where student voices can be added, serving at events to introduce guests and students, walk campus with Ody, to name a few,” Miles said.