Millsaps College proudly marks the 25th anniversary of its groundbreaking Millsaps Yucatan Program, a transformative initiative that has redefined study abroad through deep cultural immersion, collaborative research and long-term community partnerships in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula.
Founded in 2000, the program began with a bold question: Could we build something lasting here? Today, the answer is clear. Over the past quarter-century, more than 500 Millsaps students, alongside scholars from around the world, have engaged in meaningful work across archaeology, biology, conservation, anthropology and cultural preservation, not as tourists, but as researchers, collaborators and guests.
There are three main facilities that encompass Millsaps’ Yucatan program. Casa Millsaps is the living-learning facility in Merida, MPARC is the research facility in Oxkutzcab and Kaxil Kiuic is a 4,500-acre biocultural reserve that serves as a sanctuary for endangered animals and plants, ancient Maya ruins.
Partners, alumni, faculty, staff and students celebrate 25 years in Yucatan.
Students and faculty have contributed to archaeological discoveries, jaguar conservation and reforestation efforts.
Additionally, Millsaps is heavily embedded and invested in the community, from hiring and training locals, to partnering with various groups to understand and preserve the local culture.
“Throughout the years we’ve partnered with the National Science Foundation, National Geographic and the Disney Conservation Fund. But this program is about more than discovery, it’s about responsibility,” said Dr. George Bey, professor of anthropology and co-founder of the Millsaps Yucatan Program. “We’re developing global citizens, students who are broad-minded, culturally aware and deeply engaged with the world around them.”
To commemorate this milestone, Millsaps recently hosted a celebratory trip to the Yucatán, bringing together partners, alumni, faculty, staff and students for a series of events culminating in a gala honoring the program’s legacy. During the celebration, the college unveiled a new logo inspired by ancient Maya symbols, each representing a core element of the program:
- OTOT (house/home): Casa Millsaps
- K’an (germination/growth): The spirit of research and discovery
- Ix (jaguar): Wildlife conservation at Kaxil Kiuic
- K’áak’ (precious/valuable): The partnerships and knowledge that give meaning to the work
“Millsaps in the Yucatán is a story of exploration, innovation and impact,” said Frank Neville, president of Millsaps College. “We are proud of our ground-breaking contributions to the study of Maya civilization, and we are pleased that we have been able to contribute to the preservation of the cultural and natural heritage of the Yucatan region through our management of the Kaxil Kuic bio reserve. None of this would have been possible without the tremendous partnership of the Yucatan community, the amazing work of our talented faculty, and the generous support of our alumni, donors, the Mexican government, CINVESTAV and the National Institute of Anthropology. As we celebrate 25 years, we are excited to build on our past successes to deepen and expand our programs in the future.”
Click here to check out our video celebrating 25 years in the Yucatán here!