A native of Taylorsville, Nic Lott was the first African American student body president elected at the University of Mississippi.

He worked under former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (no relation), and U.S. Congressman J.C. Watts and interned in the White House during President George W. Bush’s administration. Lott was director of youth outreach for Haley Barbour’s 2003 gubernatorial campaign. Following Barbour’s victory, he joined Barbour’s administration as senior adviser for communications and public safety issues for the Mississippi Department of Corrections.

Lott is currently director of special compliance operations for renewal recovery in Gov. Phil Bryant’s administration.

He is on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights state Advisory Committee and the boards of Congress of Racial Equality, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mississippi, Mississippi Community Education Center, and the University of Mississippi Central Alumni Board. He also serves on a Washington Post advisory panel.