August 17, 2015

Classes begin at Hinds amid excitement for fresh faces, older students

In a previous routine, Patricia Martin used to take a load off by pulling a latch on the heavy doors of an 18-wheeler. Those were fairly heavy and involved cross-country…
BY: Danny Barrett Jr.

In a previous routine, Patricia Martin used to take a load off by pulling a latch on the heavy doors of an 18-wheeler. Those were fairly heavy and involved cross-country driving.

Now, she simply stops in the Eagle’s Nest student lounge on the Raymond Campus to take a load off in between classes.

Patricia Martin, a nursing student at the Raymond campus of Hinds Community College, takes a break in between classes on Monday, Aug. 17, 2015. Monday was the first day of classes for the fall semester.

Patricia Martin, a nursing student at the Raymond campus of Hinds Community College, takes a break in between classes on Monday, Aug. 17, 2015. Monday was the first day of classes for the fall semester.

“I used to be a truck driver,” Martin said Monday as classes began for Fall 2015 at each of Hinds Community College’s six campuses. “We used to call road construction barrels ‘schneider eggs’.”

Martin, 44, a Jackson resident and Georgia native, plans to knock out required coursework this semester as she prepares to enter the nursing program, a destination she mapped upon the loss of a child.

“I lost my daughter when she was 23 from complications after her appendix ruptured,” Martin said. “If I can help care for someone as a nurse, whether it be in the ER or directly with patients, I want to do that.”

A tour of Hinds with his high school back in Chicago gave Monte Burks a taste of Hinds’ family-like, relaxed atmosphere clinched his decision to move south for college.

Monte Burks, left, a freshman from Chicago, is shown the way to the Brick Masonry class on Monday by David Hawkins, director of facilities use at the Raymond Campus of Hinds Community College. Monday was the first day of classes for the Fall 2015 semester.

Monte Burks, left, a freshman from Chicago, is shown the way to the Brick Masonry class on Monday by David Hawkins, director of facilities use at the Raymond Campus of Hinds Community College. Monday was the first day of classes for the Fall 2015 semester.

“We went here, we went to Jackson, we went to Alabama, and to Memphis,” Burks said on his way to his first brick masonry class. “I guess it’s just a little slower here, and the number of students to a class was already something I was used to.”

Finding the appropriate classroom turned into a group effort for first-year students Leslie Brunson, of Florence, Mary Graham, of Vicksburg, and Kaylan Johnson, of Jackson – all fresh out of high school.

Mary Graham, left, of Vicksburg, and Leslie Brunson, right, of Florence, consult class schedules at the Raymond Campus of Hinds Community College on Monday, the first day of classes for the Fall 2015 semester. Monday was the first day of classes for the fall semester.

Mary Graham, left, of Vicksburg, and Leslie Brunson, right, of Florence, consult class schedules at the Raymond Campus of Hinds Community College on Monday, the first day of classes for the Fall 2015 semester. Monday was the first day of classes for the fall semester.

“I’ve walked about two to three miles this morning, altogether,” Brunson said.

Hinds staffers directed waves of students to class on the Raymond Campus as the Baptist Student Union provided breakfast plates. Sophomores Michael McKnight, of Brandon, an architectural engineering student in BSU, and Jonathan Stewart, a business student from Jackson, chowed on the goodies provided as part of the organization’s Peace, Love & Pancakes drive.

“I’m seeing a lot of students back this year,” McKnight said. “It’s good, because I worked hard to help do the pancakes.”

Photo: Angie Foote

UTICA – Local high school students learned a bit about the future of technology at the September 11 “Empowering the Future of Innovative TECH Leaders,” summit on the Utica Campus.

The expo was about bringing awareness to the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs at Utica and the kinds of careers people in STEM can get.

“We are committed to moving people forward to fulfill their purpose and passion, demonstrating accountability, leadership and innovation. Tech is the future. Let this event inspire you for the future of technology,” said Jonathan Townes, Vice President Instruction, Career and Technical Education.

Townes told students workers skilled in cybersecurity are in demand because the advances in technology also lead to more online vulnerabilities.

Cybersecurity providers are the “guardians of the galaxy,” Townes said. He talked about the importance of keeping businesses and institutions safe and gave examples of the crippling effect of malware on America’s digital infrastructures in healthcare, education and business.

J.J. Townsend, Community Affairs representative and Ecosystem builder for Microsoft, was introduced by Townes as a tech activist because he works to bring access to technology to rural and underserved Mississippians. He picked up on the idea of “guardians of the galaxy,” saying, “There is a critical need for skilled people to fill these jobs in Mississippi. At Microsoft we want to empower every Mississippian by giving them access to technology.”

“It is vital for our businesses, our schools, our governments to be protected from malware,” he said. “Cybersecurity crime is not a victimless crime. It really hurts people and can put their lives in jeopardy. Recall recent cases of rural hospitals and community colleges getting hit with malware. That’s the kind of thing we are fighting every day. That’s where the opportunity for you lies.”

“The industry and the need for skilled technicians is only going to grow as we move into the future. It should excite you. The entry level roles of machine-learning engineers and research scientists start out at $100,000,” Townsend said. Then he listed four steps students needed to take:

1. Get educated.
2. Stay curious, always be looking for the next greatest thing.
3. Network – talk to professionals in the business, develop relationships, learn about opportunities for work and internships.
4. Gain experience – build a reputation for excellence.

High schools represented at the event included River City Early College High School, Warren Central, Vicksburg High School, Hazlehurst High School, Forest Hill High School and Crystal Springs High School.

Students were given swag bags from Hinds as they piled into the auditorium for the cybersecurity presentation. Afterwards students went to breakout sessions where many departments had set up booths with brochures and leaflets, tools from their profession were on display, and instructors were on hand to answer questions.

Among tech companies represented at the summit were Lobaki, the Mississippi Coding Academy, Dream Innovations Inc. and NASA Community College Aerospace Schools.

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Hinds offers affordable, comprehensive educational opportunities across six campus locations and has nearly 500 academic classes guaranteed to transfer to a university, over 65 career and technical program options and an extensive array of online courses. Applications for general admissions are currently being accepted. Prospective students are encouraged to apply and explore enrollment steps at hindscc.edu/enroll.

Our Mission: Hinds Community College is committed to moving people and communities forward by helping develop their purpose, passion and profession.

Our Vision: Hinds Community College will be a catalyst to create a competitive economy and a compelling culture for Mississippi.

Our Values: Hinds Community College aspires to the following IDEALS: Integrity, Diversity, Excellence, Accountability, Leadership, Stewardship.

To learn more, visit www.hindscc.edu or call 1.800.HindsCC.