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President’s Report 2020-21
TABLE OF CONTENTS 04. 06. 10. 19. 23.
President’s Message
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Financial & Enrollment Reports
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‘TIGER PRIDE WEEK’ ACTIVITIES REDEEM WELCOME WEEK CANCELLATION Making a return to some sense of normalcy, students got to explore a few of the facets that make those who have walked the halls of Coahoma Community College proud to be Tiger alums.
Board of Trustees Mission & Goals New Board Memebers Webster Named CTE Dean
OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING The Coahoma Community College Office of Communications and Marketing, is a unit of the Office of the President that provides leadership and support to the College in the areas of strategic communications, media relations, publications, marketing, special events, graphic design, and photography. The office is the official and first source of news and information about the College. Its mission is to represent and promote the college and its faculty, students, and programs to a variety of constituents, including employees, alumni, the media, government officials, businesses, students and their families.
NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT Coahoma Community College is an equal opportunity institution in accordance with civil rights and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or other factors prohibited by law in any of its educational programs, activities and employment opportunities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Michael Houston, Director of Human Resources/Coordinator for 504/ADA, Title IX Compliance Officer, Office #A100, Vivian M. Presley Administration Building, 3240 Friars Point Road, Clarksdale, Mississippi 38614, Phone: (662) 621-4853, email: mhouston@coahomacc.edu.
21. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT LAUNCHES OFF-SITE WELDING CLASSES
Fresh fumes in the Quitman County Career Empowerment Center contain the aroma of a new start for welding class participants who participated in free training courses on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings.
25. LADY TIGERS WIN BIG The Coahoma Lady Tigers are double winners for the 2020-2021 season, grabbing both the MACCC North Co-Division and Co-Conference Champion titles. The Lady Tigers ended their season with a 12-2 record and had an eleven-game winning streak.
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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE LOOKING AND MOVING FORWARD If I had to summarize this past year, I would say amid multiple crises, our people stepped up and sacrificed together to protect Coahoma Community College and to ensure its continuity. I could not be more proud of the work of our dedicated students, faculty, and staff members, who reimagined processes and embraced practices to ensure our success across the institution. Additionally, I could not be more grateful to our trustees for their steady stewardship and support. Success, however, is never final. There is no question that higher education as we know it—including intercollegiate athletics—and health care are changing rapidly. As in other areas, the pandemic and intersecting crises have been accelerators of change. The exciting aspect of rapid transformation is that it provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a better normal. We owe it to those who have suffered and those whose legacy our success has been created to learn and apply the many lessons of this watershed time in history. Within this report, we highlight what building a new normal looks like here at Coahoma Community College—a place where, historically, we do not flinch in times of hardship. We emerge from this year determined to drive positive change on all levels. We are working together to deliver what our students and their families expect and deserve, create and share actionable knowledge, care for our community, and decisively develop solutions to many of the problems that we can impact change. We are TIGERS, and this is what we do.
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President’s Report 2020-21
Valmadge T. Towner, Ph.D. 5th President
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VISION | LEADERSHIP | PURPOSE
REV. DENNIS HAWKINS Chairman
BENNIE BROWN Vice-Chairman
LOIS MCMURCHY
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President’s Report 2020-21
DEVONA JONES CHAMBERS Secretary
DAVID WILLIAMS
ATTORNY CYNTHIA MITCHELL
DEVOYCE C. MORRIS
REV. ALVIS PRYOR, JR.
ATTORNEY STEPHEN BRANDON Board Attorney
DR. MARY F. DEAR-MOTON
BOARD OF TRUSTEES T
he Board of Trustees is the governing body of Coahoma Community College. Their role in governance encompasses many duties and responsibilities. The Board is responsible for strategic planning and oversight of the President, who is responsible for carrying out the plans of the Board of Trustees.
Under the leadership of the board chair, the trustees offer advice and counsel to the President. As the final authority for college business, trustees make all legal and fiduciary decisions, although they delegate some specific powers and duties to others. The Board of Trustees is responsible for developing and approving the institution’s mission, strategic goals and objectives, and establishing policies related to programs and services. Another duty of trustees is the approval of Coahoma’s annual budget and to set significant program fees.
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ABOUT COAHOMA The ninety-nine acre campus lies in an agrarian setting along Clarksdale-Friars Point Road near the Mississippi River, which forms the western boundary of Coahoma County. Bordered on the east by a quiet and picturesque lake, the school site is conducive to wholesome recreation as well as to serious study. LOCATION Coahoma Community College, located in Coahoma County, Mississippi, about four miles north of the city of Clarksdale, is easily accessible from four major highways: U.S. 61, U.S. 49, Miss. 6, and Miss. 1. ACCREDITATION Coahoma Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award Associate of Arts Degree, Associate of Applied Science Degree and Certificates. Contact the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Coahoma Community College. 8
President’s Report 2020-21
EXECUTIVE TEAM JERONE SHAW Chief of Staff
DR. ROLONDA BROWN Dean - Academic Affairs
DEBORAH VALENTINE Chief Financial Officer
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DR. LARRY WEBSTER Dean - Career/Tech Ed.
MARGARET DIXON Director - Research and Assessment
DR. CHEQUITIA DIXON Dean - Health Sciences
ROBERT STALDER Chief Information Officer
STEVEN JOSSELL Executive Director Workforce Development
MICHAEL HOUSTON Director- Employee Services
KAREN WOODS-DONE Director - Student Engagement
MARRIEL C. HARDY Chief Communications Officer & Branding Identity
he Executive Team is chaired by the College President, who is responsible for the oversight of the institution. The group oversees operations of the entire campus and establishes the mission, vision, and strategic goals and directions of the college.
The Executive Team approves policy as recommended by its members or the Academic Council; deliberates on issues that affect student life, the operations of the campus, and the long-term sustainability of the college; and provides advice and counsel to the President. Executive Team members are appointed by the President. www.coahomacc.edu
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MISSION STATEMENT Coahoma Community College is a two-year, accredited, public, comprehensive institution of higher learning committed to serving as a catalyst for community and economic development in the rural, Northwest Mississippi Delta region and beyond. The college provides accessible, diverse, quality, equitable educational opportunities and support services that foster holistic growth in a student-centered learning environment. The college is committed to preparing students for college or university transfer and entry into a skilled workforce
INSTITUTIONAL GOALS 1. Provide academic transfer programs that parallel with the first two years of college/university programs. 2. Provide career and technical education programs that prepare students to enter the job market or transfer to a college or university. 3. Meet the needs of area businesses and industries by providing workforce training programs. 4. Empower students with the necessary tools to maximize their potential by providing a network of support services and activities. 5. Utilize emerging instructional technology by providing innovative learning opportunities for students. 6. Address community and economic development needs within the service area by developing and sustaining partnerships with public and private agencies. 7. Initiate new programs or complement existing programs by securing and sustaining federal, state, and local funding. 8. Support cultural enrichment programs and activities. 9. Ensure institutional effectiveness by planning, assessing, and evaluating all activities and programs. 10. Promote and support a culture of health and wellness on campus that extends to the surrounding communities and schools.
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President’s Report 2020-21
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RENOVATIONS AND PLANS FOR NEW FACILITIES IN THE WORKS The Coahoma Community College campus underwent modernization and renovations over the year. A new Student Activity and Family Enhancement Center and Student Services facility is in the works while the longstanding Curry Hall is nearing remodel completion. According to Jerone Shaw, who oversees the Physical Plant department, Coahoma Community College seeks to replace the entire roof of Whiteside Hall as the storm that ripped through Clarksdale on April 12 damaged part of it. Along with new roofing, Whiteside’s science laboratories will be updated. A newly designed student-centered facility has already been named the Student Activity and Family Enhancement Center. The recreational space and other campus projects will likely be completed by next fall. The 10,000 square-foot building will be built northeast of the James E. Miller Stadium. The cleared area on the west side of the Safe House is reserved for a Student Services building. It will spread to roughly 5,000 square feet and house more offices, a conference room, a computer lab, and a classroom.
COAHOMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE LAYS OUT COVID-19 SAFETY MEASURES FOR CAMPUS COMMUNITY As the coronavirus pandemic spilled over into the summer season, Coahoma Community College made sure to outline specific precautionary measures to be taken as the coronavirus spread continued. To promote and maintain a COVID-free campus environment, guidelines were set for the campus community, which aligned with those set by the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning, Mississippi’s reopening model, the Mississippi Department of Public Health, and orders and ordinances of Coahoma County. The guidelines are consistent with recommendations from the federal government and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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DEGREE-PARALLEL MAJORS ADDED TO ACADEMIC OFFERINGS The Division of Academic Affairs has recently extended its program offerings to include healthcare marketing and art education. Radio, television, and film is also a new major offered by the institution. Radio, television, and film majors can complete their undergraduate degrees through the University of Southern Mississippi’s Media and Entertainment Arts (Film) program or study mass communication or journalism at one of Mississippi’s public universities to become a radio broadcaster. A healthcare marketing major may consider serving a hospital or healthcare organization as a marketing manager or communications specialist. As a marketing analyst in the healthcare field, which is another career option, one conducts research to pinpoint ways and develop strategies to attract and engage consumers. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT COAHOMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE PROGRAMS, VISIT: WWW.COAHOMACC.EDU/PROGRAMS-OF-STUDY
NURSING INSTRUCTOR DR. JACQUELYN BROWNLOW BECOMES PRESIDENT OF MOADN BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jacquelyn Brownlow, DNP, RN, was recently named president of the Mississippi Organization for Associate Degree Nursing board of directors. Brownlow joined the CCC faculty as a full-time Associate Degree Nursing instructor in 2012. The MOADN primarily works toward retaining the Registered Nurse title and the range of practice for the ADN graduate. The organization is also involved with nursing issues to ensure quality health care for Mississippi consumers. It aids in seamlessly transitioning nursing students from the ADN program to the BSN program. ADN programs provide adult learners, minorities, and residents with access to a career in health care. Brownlow entered the nursing profession as a Licensed Practical Nurse after studying at Mississippi Delta Community College. She then attended Holmes Community College for an associate degree in nursing. She received a bachelor’s in nursing and a master’s with an emphasis in nursing education from Delta State University. In 2013, Brownlow earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. She teaches her students to overcome barriers with prayer, hard work, and faith.
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MIAL AWARDS COAHOMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE-SPONSORED EVENT, TENNESSEE WILLIAMS FESTIVAL In 2020, the Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters recognized the annually-held Mississippi Delta Tennessee Williams Festival. The festival, which has achieved a considerably long run, is the 2020 recipient of the Special Achievement Award. The MIAL annually selects from the categories of classical music composition, fiction, non-fiction, youth literature, visual art, classical, photography, contemporary music composition, and poetry. The Mississippi Delta Tennessee Williams Festival is named for the wide-acclaimed playwright Tennessee Williams. Held over the course of three days every October, it offers audience members entertainment with porch plays featuring student and professional actors and a literary conference on the Coahoma Community College campus.
THREE DORMITORY MANAGERS JOIN STUDENT ENGAGEMENT STAFF
Pioneers Panny Mayfield and New Orleans native Kenny Holditch organized the festival for 25 years before passing the torch to Jen Waller and Karen Kohlhaas. Mayfield and Holditch birthed the idea of holding the event in 1992.
The Housing Department of the Division of Student Engagement welcomed three dormitory managers over the past year. Shemika Wortham serves as the new supervisor of Martin Hall. Ronald Miller, who joined the staff in the spring, is the assistant director of Housing and the manager of the all-male dorm, Friends Hall. James Winters was hired as the manager of Moore Hall.
The MIAL selects outstanding awardees in eight categories. 2020 winners chosen include Ann Abadie (The Noel Polk Lifetime Achievement Award), Stacey Johnson (Visual Arts), Angie Thomas (Youth Literature), Fiction (Minrose Gwin), Poetry (C.T. Salazar), Will Jacks (Photography), Non-fiction (Margaret McMullen), Steve Rouse (Classical Music), and Bark, a husband-wife duo, won the contemporary music category for their album “Terminal Everything.”
Shemika Wortham, a native of Lyon, Mississippi, is the proud mother of three beautiful daughters whom she regards as her motivation, primary sources of inspiration, and biggest supporters. She aims to serve as an excellent example for them daily.
The Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters has given the 2020 Special Achievement Award to the Mississippi Delta Tennessee Williams Festival, which has achieved a considerably long run. Panny Mayfield and Kenny Holditch birthed the idea of holding the event in 1992.
Ronald Miller, a native of Clarksdale, Mississippi, is the proud father of one daughter and one son. He received an associate degree in criminal justice from Coahoma Community College and a bachelor’s degree from Mississippi Valley State University in 2002. James Winters, who is also from Clarksdale, is the father of one adult son, Jamal McGregory. He strongly believes teamwork makes the dream work.
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President’s Report 2020-21
Tennessee Williams was born Thomas Lanier III in Columbus, Mississippi, in 1911. He is well-known for his Pulitzer Prize-winning play “A Streetcar Named Desire,” which was written in 1947. The Mississippi Delta Tennessee Williams Festival is sponsored by Coahoma Community College and supported by the Mississippi Arts Commission, the Mississippi Humanities Council, Visit Clarksdale, and Clarksdale Revitalization.
SHARE YOUR NEWS! KEEP US UP-TO-DATE WITH ALL OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS: COAHOMACC.EDU/COMMUNICATIONS/SHARE-YOUR-NEWS
ALUMNI JOIN HISTORICAL SPRINGTIME FIGHT AGAINST RACIAL INEQUITY Coahoma Community College alumni spent part of the spring season taking a stand against social injustice. Recent graduates, including former SGA president Yasmine Harper ‘19, Tevin Boyd ‘20, Brianna James, Karinton Johnson ‘19, Terrell George, Jerome Washington, and Christopher Body, participated in an empowerment rally held in Clarksdale in early June. The rally was organized in the wake of the wrongful killings of George Floyd, Breanna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. The CCC graduates joined a national fight for racial equality that spilled over into Australia, the UK, France, Ireland, and New Zealand. Some non-Americans were protesting police brutality in their own country, while others stood in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. At the Delta Blues Stage during the June 6 rally, Boyd spoke with conviction before an audience of protester, saying, “It’s no reason why $12.49 million is invested in jails, and no small businesses are being profited…This doesn’t stop today; this is only something that we have to keep going. When it’s time to make real change, I still need to see you all standing together.”
STUDENT ENGAGEMENT CONNECTS WITH INCOMING STUDENTS IN VIRTUAL ORIENTATION For first-year students of Coahoma Community College, this year’s virtual New Student Orientation symbolized a fresh start and the beginning ofa newchapter. Although the 2020 Virtual Orientation was viewed live on Facebook due to COVID-19 limitations, the Division of Student Engagement organized an event that maintained the same high-spirited, energetic feeling of an in-person orientation. The NSO lineup included a tour of Tiger Territory and greetings from CCC President Dr. Valmadge T. Towner and Clarksdale Mayor Chuck Espy. LaShasa Griffin, the assistant director of Student Engagement, moderated a live Q&A Tiger Talk. Students also met key personnel that provided indepth information and real-time assistance. www.coahomacc.edu
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SOPHOMORE VICTORIA SAMUEL ENSURES PATHWAY TO STRONG FINISH to my friends or peers,” said Samuel, who is studying Early Childhood Development. “I’m staying protected by leaving 6 feet between myself and others, washing my hands, and sanitizing daily.”
VVictoria Samuel is on track to graduate from Coahoma Community College in December. The ongoing coronavirus spread has put somewhat of a damper on her last hurrah in Tiger Nation, but she’s trying to make the new normal as comfortable as possible. She stays in the loop primarily through social media. “I’m adapting pretty well. It’s a struggle sometimes,” she expressed. She took online classes during the summer and made time for friends to balance things out. With long-term goals in mind, the Clarksdale, Mississippi, native and Clarksdale High graduate takes the necessary steps to maintain her health. “I just wear a mask and don’t get so close 16
President’s Report 2020-21
half are in-person.
Samuel decided that the hybrid instructional format would be the best option for her. Half of her courses are entirely online, and
Planning for a dynamic finish at Coahoma, she has come up with a technique for productivity. “I give every assignment a particular day, so when the due date comes, it will be already completed,” Samuel explained. This fall, she is prepared to reach out to her instructors by email if she needs clarity on anything. Her hope is to complete her last semester as a Tiger with an overall 3.0 GPA or higher. She plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree at a university then gain employment as a daycare professional or preschool teacher. Her formula for a stress-free semester includes finishing assignments through the week and recharging on the weekends.
COAHOMA MAKES HUNDRED-SEVEN’S 20 TOP HBCU ART PROGRAMS The Hundred-Seven has selected Coahoma Community College as one of 20 top art programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Coahoma is listed among well-known institutions, including Morgan State University and Howard University. The Hundred-Seven website, named for 107 higher learning institutions the U.S. Department of Education has classified as HBCUs, was created to positively promote historically black institutions. It features HBCUs and their alumni for outstanding achievements. Based in the Barron-Miller Center for Fine Arts on the College’s main campus, Coahoma’s art curriculum is a flexible range building artistically versatile students. These sub-categories include 3-D design, ceramics, painting, and drawing.
‘TIGER PRIDE WEEK’ ACTIVITIES REDEEM WELCOME WEEK CANCELLATION Students got to explore a few of the facets that make those who have walked the halls of Coahoma Community College proud to be Tiger alums. What dents daily ment,
currently fosters Tiger pride is a spirit of unity that binds stuinto a family in the middle of a coronavirus pandemic. Though temperature checks are mandated and masks, a requirethe rare campus culture of the College shines through.
Students escaped isolation during Tiger Pride Week, a series of student activities hosted by the Student Government Association. A drive-in screening of a thriller near the Fit for Life Walking Trail sent students into relaxation mode and took their minds off deadlines. A mixed batch of talents showcased the following evening at “Open Mic Nite” offered up awe-inspiring moments.
HEALTH SCIENCES RECOGNIZES RESPIRATORY CARE WEEK Respiratory Care Week was instituted by former President Ronald Reagan in November 1982 to honor dedicated, highly qualified respiratory therapists in the health care field. Observed during October 25-31, 2020, the Respiratory Care program of Coahoma Community College took the opportunity to recognize its graduates employed in the field and on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic. The apt theme attached to Respiratory Care Week 2020 was “Together We Save Lives.” Respiratory therapists have an integral role on healthcare teams, contributing largely to patients’ confidence in the ability to breathe.
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STAFFERS WORK TOWARD PREVENTING ON-CAMPUS COVID-19 TRANSMISSION WITH CONTACT TRACING COURSE As the coronavirus prevailed as a health crisis in the U.S., a team of Coahoma Community College staff members is committing to preventing transmission within the campus community with an online contact tracing course. According to former Educational Outreach Director Letha Richards, who has completed the online course offered by Johns Hopkins University, the factors involved in the COVID-19 contact tracing process consists of identifying the person with the COVID-19 case, then identifying those who may have had: (1) physical contact (2) those who came into close contact of 6 feet with the case, and (3) those who were more than 6 feet away and in the same room as the infected person for an extended period of time and working with them to stop further spread. “One thing to note is that for people with the COVID-19 disease, the infectious period begins two days before the start of signs and symptoms of the disease,” said Richards. “The first couple of days are key because a person with COVID–19 will infect 2 to 3 people, and this can create a tsunami of cases like what we are seeing now.” In the course led by an associate scientist in the university’s Epidemiology department, Richards was enlightened on how the coronaviruses work, how they are transmitted from person to person, and conducting an effective contact tracing session with the person who primarily caused the spread. She has some background in public health and has taught biology. “One thing to note is that for people with the COVID-19 disease, the infectious period begins two days before the start of signs and symptoms of disease. So, if a person first notices their symptoms on August 1, that person was infectious two days prior and can infect two to three more people, and they will infect two to three more people, and so on. That is why it is so important to contact trace,” said Richards. The class taught about isolation and quarantine, potential boundaries to intervention, and how to resolve such situations, the signs, and symptoms of the virus, and establishing rapport with cases. It also uses examples to teach the ethical principles surrounding contact tracing. Additionally, the epidemic’s need for contact tracers has created job positions with a high school diploma or an equivalent level of education. Other team members charged with learning contact tracing include Karen Done, director of Student Engagement; Karmesha Duke, the campus nurse; Beverly Overton, dean of Health Sciences; and the director of Institutional Research, Margaret Dixon. “I knew that if I were going to be a person responsible for keeping the campus safe, I needed to learn as much as possible as fast as possible,” said Richards, who enjoyed gaining insight into the contagious disease. The course offers certification upon completion. 18
President’s Report 2020-21
BOARD OF TRUSTEES BRINGS ON NEW MEMBERS
LOIS MCMURCHY
DEVOYCE C. MORRIS
DR. MARY F. DEAR-MOTON
The Coahoma Community College Board of Trustees welcomed appointees Dr. Mary F. Dear-Moton, of Coahoma County, and DeVoyce C. Morris, of Mound Bayou. Both are alumnae who have devoted a great deal of their time to education and the community. Also joining is Lois McMurchy, former Executive Director of the CCC Workforce Development Center. She is a member of the Clarksdale Rotary club, the Cleveland and Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce, and the Industrial Development Foundation Board of Directors. Dear-Moton (’77) studied business while attending Coahoma. Upon graduating, she began working for Coahoma Opportunities, Inc., a non-profit community service agency she now heads as director. She then enrolled at Jackson State University, where she received a bachelor’s in Social Work and a master’s in Sociology with an emphasis in alcohol and drug counseling. In 2007, her education climaxed with a doctoral degree in Higher Education. Her thesis and dissertation titled “Effectiveness of Developing an Entrepreneurship for Community College Students in the Mississippi Delta” have been published. Dear-Moton believes that with patience, dedication, and hard work, every individual can make a difference. She is a Sunshine Baptist Church member and the mother of four, Amanda, Garret, Charles, and Jasmine. Morris, a retired principal of A. W. James Elementary School, Morris began her career teaching English at South Shore High School in Chicago then returned to Mississippi to become the first teacher of gifted education in the North Bolivar School District. Mississippi’s Second Congressional District once named her Teacher of the Year. She is a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and also has membership in the NAACP, the Shelby Chamber of Commerce, the board of the Delta Arts Alliance, and other organizations. She is the founder and organizer of Ladies Night Out, an annual event promoting health education and awareness of breast cancer, Sudden Infant Death, Sudden Unexplained Infant Death, and domestic violence. www.coahomacc.edu
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WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT HELPS REFINE LOCAL BUSINESS WITH TRAINING Clarksdale’s Image Industries conducted a four-week training on organizational leadership with Tammy Graves, who joined Workforce Development Center personnel in April 2021. An eight-week Essential Skills training preceded the leadership class. The staff dove into practical leadership tools used to build a high-performing team. Incorporating the basics of teamwork, effective communication, reliability, problem-solving, planning, and organization into the curriculum contributed to the company’s overarching goals, satisfied customers, quality products, and a reputation of excellence. The Workforce Development Center coordinates with businesses and industries to provide a training curriculum tailored to the company’s needs. Its vast range of services and offerings includes on-the-job skill development, preemployment skills, and time management.
COAHOMA RECEIVES NOD IN PRELIMINARY REACCREDITATION REVIEW
While accreditation evaluations are voluntary, Coahoma Community College meets all comprehensive standards set by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges accredits degree-granting higher education institutions in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. SACSCOC is one of the six most widely accepted accrediting bodies in the United States. The College successfully aced its review of the 17 core requirements, earning 100 percent approval in an examination of integrity, institutional mission, degree-granting authority, coursework for degrees, continuous operation, governing board characteristics, the chief executive officer, full-time faculty, institutional planning, student achievement, program content, program length, general education core requirements, library and learning information/resources, student support services, financial resources, and financial documents.
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COLLISION REPAIR STUDENTS PREPARE VEHICLE FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE When the National Emergency Management Association approached instructor Etavious Johnson with a community service project, he and his students excitedly delivered. A rescue vehicle designed for military use required a makeover. Gaining more hands-on practice, Collision Repair students gave it a black and white touch-up, preparing it for a final send-off to Tallahatchie County. The program’s curriculum focuses on cosmetics, structural repairs, glass replacement, welding, and replacement of hardware and trim items.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT LAUNCHES OFF-SITE WELDING CLASS Fresh fumes in the Quitman County Career Empowerment Center contained the aroma of a new start for welding class participants who participated in free training courses on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings. With Terry Wright as the instructor, participants of the welding class held in Marks, Mississippi, were at an advantage before entering the workforce. Wright, a Marks native, is the plant manager of ACI Building Systems in Batesville, Mississippi, and can give members of the class a job right away. Those who enter the class with no income but exhibit the drive and potential can begin working in production line positions at the manufacturing company to provide for themselves
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COAHOMA SECURES $30,000 ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY GRANT The Women’s Foundation of Mississippi awarded Coahoma Community College an Access to Opportunity grant. The one-year grant, specifically for women students of the College, amounted to $30,000 and will financially respond to urgent needs uncovered by the ongoing pandemic. The grant will uniquely meet needs not met due to low income, public assistance, and other similar means. Mothers attending college may be facing family-related challenges that result in them indefinitely postponing their college education. However, the Access to Opportunity grant can save them from abandoning their pathway to a supportive career.
EARN YOUR STRIPES HIGH SCHOOL DAY TOUR ORGANIZED TO REACH FIVE-COUNTY SERVICE AREA For high schoolers located in Clarksdale and surrounding areas, the road did not end at completing a secondary education as the road to living in their purpose awaits at CCC. There are skills to master and knowledge to be explored. That’s where Coahoma stepped in, displaying its offerings! Coahoma organized its annual High School Day to present potential students with a nearby resource to continue their education, but the event evolved into a tour this year. The Admissions team took High School Day to several area schools in-person and virtually. 22
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JEROME PETTY LANDS 2021 HUMANITIES TEACHER OF THE YEAR Benoit, Mississippi, native Jerome Petty serves Coahoma Community College as an adjunct Public Speaking instructor. He has built 21 years of experience educating a varied age range of students in Mississippi and Arkansas. Having dedicated much of his life to advancing the youth, Petty was honored as Coahoma’s 2021 Humanities Teacher of the Year.
MICHAEL BOOKER RECOGNIZED BY GEORGIA MAGAZINE AS A 2020 RISING STAR Michael Booker, a 2012 graduate of the College’s Culinary Arts program and new girl dad, says fatherhood made him want to dedicate even more energy to honing his craft in the kitchen. Lately, a lot more effort is going into bringing his plans to fruition. The CCC grad was recognized by Georgia magazine as a 2020 Rising Star. Booker can recall his enthusiasm in cooking courses while a student earning an associate degree at Coahoma and describes one of his former instructors, Chef Rhymes, as phenomenal. He was also honored to have the chance to assist with catering for the College’s events & banquets.
HARRIS, COLE FRONT 2021 CLASS AS VALEDICTORIAN AND SALUTATORIAN Valedictorian Kadesia Harris and salutatorian Richard Cole, both of Clarksdale, Mississippi, will lead the graduating class of 2021 at Coahoma Community College’s 69th Commencement. The ceremony will be held at the James E. Miller Stadium at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 8, 2021. Kadesia Harris is the daughter of Willie and Jennifer Harris. Having majored in pre-nursing, the Honors College member now anticipates study in the College’s Practical Nursing program. Richard Cole is the son of Carol Brooks and Arthur Cole. The 2021 graduate is proud to be finishing up his studies at the top of his class. Outside of academics, Cole has served as the manager for the CCC men’s basketball team. Tenacity, hard work, as well as staff members eagerly assisting him in selecting suitable classes put his chance of graduating early in reach.
WEBSTER NAMED DEAN OF DIVISION OF CAREER-TECH Coahoma Community College recently announced Greenville, Mississippi, native Larry Webster Jr., Ph.D., would assume the role of dean of the Division of Career and Technical Education. Succeeding longtime dean and recent retiree Anne Shelton Clark, Webster seeks to ensure all sights in his division are set on a shared vision that meets students’ needs. Through this vision, he hopes to unlock limitless paths to personal, professional, and institutional growth. He also seeks to develop the external relationships essential to the ultimate advancement of Career-Tech programs. Webster received his bachelor’s in sociology from Mississippi Valley State University, both a master’s in community development and a Master of Education in social science from Delta State University, and a doctorate in human capital development from the University of Southern Mississippi. He credits his parents Leo and Joyce Jennings, and grandmother Almeta Rhodes for preparing him for entrance into a fresh stage of his career. “They instilled in me at an early age the importance of having a good work ethic and setting goals,” he said. Past supervisors, including Dr. Glenn Boyce, Joan Rowe, Dr. Deborah Moore, Sherrie Cheek, Dr. Jim Haffey, Dr. Amy Whittington, and Dr. Valeria Williams, have also played a part in sculpting him for his current role.
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TARAJI P. HENSON-FOUNDED NONPROFIT OFFERING GROUP THERAPY TO STUDENTS The College has partnered with the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation to offer students free group therapy sessions. BLHF is a nonprofit founded by actress Taraji Henson in 2018. Henson’s organization, named for her late father, whose service in the Vietnam War affected his mental health, seeks to dissolve stigmas surrounding mental health. Joining the fight in combating recidivism, the Henson Foundation also backs organizations offering released offenders mental health support. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which offers 24-hour assistance, at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
WADE TAPPED TO FILL ROLE OF EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH DIRECTOR
Chicago native William Wade, Ed.S., takes his place on the Coahoma Community College campus as the newly appointed director of Educational Outreach. Wade (‘89) is delighted to be returning to the prosperous grounds where he served in the capacity of Student Government Association president. While his expertise took him to various states across the nation, many of his family members remain Mississippians, making the Magnolia State a second home for him and his siblings. 24
President’s Report 2020-21
EDUCATIONAL TALENT SEARCH PROGRAM CONVENES THROUGH SUMMER MONTHS
Youth initiatives looking to occupy students’ summer breaks with learning exploration were back in session after a hiatus due to health concerns. One of which was Coahoma Community College’s Educational Talent Search Program. Students grade 8th-12th assembled for a Summer Enrichment Program which ran until June 26 on the CCC campus. ETS staff focused on different grade levels of approximately 25 participants each week.
LADY TIGERS END PHENOMENAL SEASON WITH NORTH DIVISION AND CO-CONFERENCE CHAMPION TITLES
The Coahoma Lady Tigers are double winners for the season, grabbing both the MACCC North Co-Division title alongside Co-Conference Champions. The Lady Tigers ended their season with a 12-2 record and had an eleven-game winning streak. Head coach Stephanie Murphy is thrilled that the team’s hard work paid off. “It’s just a blessing, that’s the best way I can describe it, to be living in this reality with our girls is an unbelievable feeling,” said Murphy. Their season-high game occurred on March 13, 2021, when they defeated Northeast Mississippi Community College 83-60. On March 8, 2021, Coahoma took the North Division’s lead by defeating former leaders Itawamba Community College 56-46 and never looked back as they stormed to the top by consistent wins. Murphy expressed that her team understood how important each win was to remain on top. “I felt like we worked extremely hard to get to this point throughout the season. We worked during the snow break and had to overcome Covid-19 back in October, so we are so excited to finish on an elevengame winning streak.”
GRADUATES STRUT THE STAGE IN 69TH COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
Taking a wondrous glide from one side of the graduation stage to the other could be viewed as a divine strut on clouds. The tradition usually held by learning institutions caps a grand achievement in one’s academic career. This year’s commencement exercises held on the field of James E. Miller Stadium amid breezy winds epitomized the tradition. For an estimated 340 graduates, the day commemorated the act of Coahoma Community College, flinging them into extraordinary pursuits. Vice-Chair of the CCC Board of Trustees, Rev. Bennie Brown, helped bring the graduation to a close by offering a congratulatory message to the 2021 class on the board’s behalf. “Although the last year and a half has been stormy—we all have experienced something that happens only once in a lifetime—but I want you to know it’s fairing off,” said Brown, taking the last three words from meteorologists. “As you move forward from this day, take these three little words with you.” www.coahomacc.edu 25
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COAHOMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE Office of the President
Office Address : 3240 Friars Point Rd | Clarksdale, MS 38614 Phone Number : 662.621.4101 Email : president@coahomacc.edu Website : www.coahomacc.edu Coahoma Community College is an equal opportunity institution in accordance with civil rights and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, disability, age, or other factors prohibited by law in any of its educational programs, activities and employment opportunities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Michael Houston, Director of Human Resources/Coordinator for 504/ADA, Title IX Compliance Officer. Office #A100, Vivian M. Presley Administration Building, (662) 621-4853 or mhouston@coahomacc.edu.