Mississippi has one of the nation’s best community college systems and Coahoma Community College numbers are also above the national average.
Speaking to faculty and staff at Coahoma Community College Monday on their first day back from the holiday break, Dr. Jennifer Latino said Coahoma College’s graduation rate is 31-percent which is higher than the national average of 22 percent and their retention rate – from freshman to sophomore – is 61-percent which is above the national average of 57-percent.
“You are out-pacing national institutions and you need to be proud of that,” said Latino, who specializes in the study of student success initiatives. “At a time when graduation rates are stagnant, you are actually seeing an increase.”
Latino said the risks that stop most students from getting a college degree are particularly acute at Coahoma.
“Financial concerns and access to resources top the list nationwide and here at Coahoma,” said Latino. “That is coupled with the pull to care for dependents – parent, child or brother or sister – and those who just take a job and enter the workforce.”
Latino said only 19-percent of Coahoma Community College students drop out of school because of academics. She said 18-percent of Coahoma students go on to a 4-year institution – a number which is also above the national average.
“Some of these things we can’t control,” said Latino. “But just about every study I have ever read points to faculty and staff involved in the lives of students, as the key factor in helping students overcome obstacles, find resources, and stay in school and graduate.”
She urged professors to spend time advising students, helping them overcome hindrances to their education and put them in touch with resources to help them succeed.
“You are doing a lot of things right,” she added. “You are making an impact on students in your community and in this state.”
Dr. Valmadge Towner, President of Coahoma Community College echoed Latino’s comments.
“It is difficult to excel for a long period and to stay at the top,” said Towner. “Alabama football, Dallas Cowboy football and New England Patriot football have all suffered this year and no longer at the top because they haven’t been innovative, they haven’t diversified and they haven’t been more efficient. They haven’t changed with the times.”
Towner urged faculty and staff to remove barriers to a students’ education one student at a time.
“If one of our students has a problem, CCC has a problem,” said Towner. “I will also go further than that, if our community has a problem, CCC has a problem.
“We have a moral obligation to help every student and every person in this community to better themselves,” said Towner.
He pointed to local school systems, health care and leadership in the community and said Coahoma Community College has the resources, staff and quality students Clarksdale and Coahoma County need to solve many of its problems.
