Hannah Cranfield of Vicksburg was thinking of going into a medical field but then discovered Hinds Community College’s computer coding and programming option.
Hannah Cranfield of Vicksburg graduated from Hinds Community College on Friday, July 31. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
Hinds teaches the program at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer Research and Development Center in Vicksburg.
Draped with honor cords, Cranfield, 21, said she “did very well” in the program. “I tried this and I actually liked it so I stuck with it,” she said.
On Friday, July 31, Cranfield was among more than 600 students participating in a drive-through graduation ceremony over a four-day period. His next stop is the University of Southern Mississippi as a film major.
Because of social distancing restrictions with the COVID-19 pandemic, Hinds was unable to have traditional ceremonies inside. The spring and summer ceremonies were combined and turned into a drive-through event, over three days at Eagle Ridge Conference Center in Raymond July 29-31 and a fourth day at the Utica Campus on Aug. 1.
Each graduate was greeted by the new college president, Dr. Stephen Vacik, who took office on July 1, and cheered on by members of the Executive Leadership Team, all of whom wore masks.
Nile Owusu of Jackson received a degree in Automotive Technology as part of his long-range plan to excel in the military.
Nile Owusu of Jackson received a degree in Automotive Technology as part of his long-range plan to excel in the military. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
“I like doing things with my hands,” he said. “It worked out pretty good. It’s not a hard program as long as you do what you’re supposed to be doing and as long as you do your responsibilities.”
Ebony Yarbor, 38 of Jackson is hoping to get a job teaching with her degree in culinary arts.
Ebony Yarbor, 38 of Jackson hopes to get a job teaching with her degree in culinary arts. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
“I want to teach students how to grow food and how to eat properly. What you put in your body is what you are,” she said. “I was facing health issues and obesity. I thought, ‘Let me go and look into how to properly eat, more nutritionally. Maybe I can learn it, save myself and use those skills to help somebody else.’ ”
Jennifer Moore, 46, of Lena received a degree in banking and financing
She said she plans “to enjoy a minute off and then enroll in the spring for a bachelor’s degree at Mississippi State University. I always dreamed of having a degree and regretted that I didn’t finish.”
She said her workplace is paying for her studies. “It doesn’t matter how old I am. I was determined to have it,” she said. “I was a late bloomer.”
Jennifer Moore of Lena plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree at Mississippi State University. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
As Mississippi’s largest community college, Hinds Community College is a comprehensive institution offering quality, affordable educational opportunities with academic programs of study leading to seamless university transfer and career and technical programs teaching job-ready skills. With six locations in central Mississippi, Hinds enrolls about 12,000 students each fall semester. To learn more, visit www.hindscc.edu or call 1.800.HindsCC.