Hinds Community College’s Vicksburg Warren campus is 40 years old and plans to keep plugging into the future, school officials said.
Vicksburg Warren School District 4 Trustee Joe Loviza said he’s pleased with the partnership between the state’s biggest community college and the school district.
“Hinds has lots of success stories that will make you realize what we really have here,” Loviza said during a ceremony at the Knights of Columbus on Fisher Ferry Road to mark the occasion. “We are so glad that the Vicksburg Warren County schools and Hinds came together. We have had a true partnership since day one. This partnership is the best in the state. They take good care of their teachers and work really well with different industries.”
Robert Pickett, who chairs Hinds’ governing board, said much the same.
“I enjoyed the years that I worked here at Hinds. The vocational center has been a valuable asset to our community and I’ve enjoyed being a part of it.
Hinds Community College President Clyde Muse praised the leaders that he has been able to work with during his time at the junior college. The school president showed his appreciation for the strides that the local campus has made over the years.
“It has really been a privilege to work with some great leaders during my 36 years at Hinds. I always enjoy being able to come to the Vicksburg campus because of the great work that has been accomplished here. These educators have worked with people to develop programs and meet the needs of this community,” Muse said.
VWSD Superintendant Chad Shealy spoke about how it feels to be a Hinds alum and how the educators deserve more credit for their dedication.
“It’s a great feeling to be a part of such a wonderful legacy,” Shealy said. “These educators has put in a lot of effort and hard work here in Vicksburg. They haven’t gotten enough pats on the back and praise for what they have done and I really appreciate their work in education.”
Shealy pointed out how he and other leaders are working to provide the best opportunities for Vicksburg graduates by partnering with Cameron to give students quality jobs straight out of high school. The Texas-based oil services company purchased the former LeTourneau Technologies fabrication yard in 2011.
“We’re trying to work with them so that they can provide jobs for our kids in the curriculum they’re providing and we’re working together to create. People could start working jobs that pay them $20 an hour right out of high school. It’s our job to create these opportunities for students to be successful.”
Hinds’ six locations in central Mississippi offer more than 170 academic, career and technical programs. Enrollment for fall 2013 was about 12,000 credit students.