With the year nearing its end and some pandemic challenges still lingering, the Coahoma Community College Board of Trustees reviewed a variety of financial issues and academic successes at its monthly meeting.
The board considered financial issues first. Given the difficulties imposed by the global pandemic, the college remains in relatively strong financial health. Most of the issues involved obtaining board approval for needed expenditures, such as a new transmission for a shuttle bus. Another board task involved administering the bidding process to purchase instruction models of equipment for students to borrow, use for remote learning and then return. This model of usage will allow social distancing on campus and remote learning off campus. “This is a game changer,” remarked CCC President Dr. Valmadge Towner of the new equipment.
The board approved pursuing the repair and mechanical upgrade of multiple buildings on campus with funds appropriated to the school through the CARES Act of 2020. Those facilities include, among others, The Pinnacle (the all-purpose event center) and the George W. Moore Residence Hall.
The board approved a variety of personnel decisions, including an interim chief financial officer, two full-time and one part-time security officers, an admissions clerk, and several others including the director of the Office of Violence Against Women.
President Towner introduced leaders of the school’s academic and student-based programs, who delivered updates to the board on progress and new programs.
Larry Webster, Dean of Career and Technical Education, delivered updated and ever-climbing numbers of students who had already obtained employment in their chosen fields. He detailed updated enrollment figures and the successful completion of a scheduled audit.
Karen Woods-Done, Director of Student Engagement/Services, unveiled the school’s work with Tutor.com and programs to provide individual tutoring to students in need. She also explained that the school had recently hired mental health professionals and had launched sessions for the students on yoga, time management and effective note taking, among other skills and pursuits.
The next presentation came from Executive Director of Workforce Development Steven Jossell, who updated the board on the Delta Strong Initiative, in which four of the five counties the school serves are already participating (the exception is Tallahatchie County).
Jossell also explained how the school is working with local employers to remedy a common problem with employees. According to local businesses, attitude problems are a common issue, especially among younger employees. This problem was heightened during the pandemic, when extended unemployment benefits and stimulus checks proved a disincentive for workers. Coahoma Community College is working with students, adding employee attitudes to the essential skills taught by the school.
The dean of academics, Rolanda Brown, brought good news on the academic performance of the school’s students. Of the 364 students on academic probation in August of 2021, 84 have already achieved grades to move off of probation status. Students entering the school with low math grades and low ACT scores have access to tutoring even before entering the college.
