RAYMOND – Jeremiah Jennings will return to Hinds Community College this summer to continue working toward an associate degree in logistics technology. He’s completed about 70 percent of the required courses and is ready to finish up.
Jeremiah Jennings of Jackson registers for summer classes at a Hinds Community College ‘one-stop’ pop-up for admissions; registration and financial aid on the Jackson campus. Jennings; a nontraditional student; enrolled in summer logistics technology courses.
Jennings recently took advantage of a morning pop-up enrollment center on the Jackson Campus aimed at making registration, admissions and applying for financial aid seamless – and quick. Standing near a sign that read, “Get your acceptance letter on the spot,” Jennings said he appreciated the speedy process. He was out the door and headed to work at a Jackson mattress company in under 30 minutes.
Bundling the traditionally separate processes under one event is new for Hinds, Emily Mitchell, Hinds Executive Director of Strategic Communications & Recruitment, said, but it makes sense. Instead of only bussing in high school students to recruitment events, Hinds is focused on making it convenient for traditional and nontraditional students to learn about Hinds programs, enroll, register for classes and apply for financial aid – all at once.
“This campus is so diverse and we really wanted to cast a wider net,” Mitchell said.
Hinds CC Electro-Mechanical Technology Instructor James Ross shows Hinds student Kaleb Hajj of Florence how to store energy from a solar panel during a pop-up registration event on the Vicksburg-Warren Campus.
Hinds also recently hosted the pop-up on the Vicksburg-Warren Campus. The event was held during lunch time in hopes that high school students would attend. Several Porter’s Chapel Academy seniors arrived to register for classes and fill out financial aid forms for the fall or to tour the campus.
“We are trying to make sure our efforts are intentional and strategic,” Mitchell said at the event.
In Vicksburg, Hinds student Kaleb Hajj of Florence leaned into a solar power trainer, fiddling with wires as he learned how to convert sunlight into DC electricity and store the energy in a battery.
Hinds students Lakendric Ross, left, of Vicksburg and Kaleb Hinds of Florence attend a Vicksburg-Warren Campus admissions and registration pop-up event to share their classroom experience with potential enrollees.
Rather than telling potential students about Hinds’ Electro-Mechanical Technology program, Instructor James Ross said he preferred his students demonstrate skills they learn in the classroom.
“It only makes sense to let the students run the show for this,” said Ross. “I’m just sitting back, helping out when they need it.”
Porter’s Chapel senior Morris Bailey Jr. of Vicksburg will join Hinds CC’s Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning, & Refrigeration Technology program in the fall.
Nearby, Porter’s Chapel senior Morris Bailey Jr. of Vicksburg was waiting to apply for the Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology program and register for fall classes. He said he became interested in HVAC sysems during a recent school trip to the Hinds Raymond Campus.
“I think they have a good program and I am interested in being an HVAC electrician,” Bailey said.
Hinds CC students Lauren Carson, left, Orlandria (Grace) O’Leary and Ae’Ryle Jones staff a table at the Vicksburg-Warren Campus pop-up admissions and registration event.
On the Jackson campus, Lawanda McGhee of Jackson registered her daughter, a Murrah High School senior who has already completed several Hinds dual enrollment classes, for summer classes. The student was on a dance department field trip at the Mississippi Museum of Art, McGhee said, and could not attend the event.
In addition to making it easy to register for classes, Hinds is attractive because the community college works to make higher education affordable for families, McGhee said.
“I got a message about the free books,” said McGhee, referring to Hinds’ Books on Us program for students enrolling in summer 2025 classes. Current students, new students, university students home for the summer, transfers and dual enrolled high school students are all eligible for the free books, including eBooks.
McGhee said her daughter wants to be a nurse and also plans to attend Hinds in the fall. “She wants to go to Alcorn State but if she is doing well here, she might just stay. It’s a strong nursing program,” McGhee said.
Forest Hills High School seniors Jacarius Hardee, left, and Devin Anderson, both of Jackson with the goodie bags they received after registering for fall classes at Hinds Community College during a pop-up admissions, registration and financial aid application event on the Jackson Campus on April 4.
Forest Hill High School seniors Jacarius Hardee and Devin Anderson, both of Jackson, said it was senior skip day for them, but instead of partying with classmates they decided to register for fall classes. Hardee enrolled in the Electrical Technology program, which teaches students to install, maintain and repair electrical systems in residential, commercial and industrial settings. Anderson said he plans to study business.
“Some of my family members are in electrical and I already have a little bit of experience,” Hardee said. “I feel like that’s the best for me.”
From right, Murrah High School seniors Mariah Taylor and Saige Smith, both of Jackson, receive details about the admissions and financial aid process at a Hinds Community College Jackson Campus pop-up event on April 4.
Jackson residents Mariah Taylor and Saige Smith, seniors at Murrah High School, completed the admissions process, were accepted and were headed to talk to an academic advisor about the Hinds pre-nursing program before registering for fall classes. Both plan to live in residence halls on the Raymond Campus.
“I just feel like community college is a good place to start instead of going to a university freshman year and not liking it,” Taylor said.
Hinds student Roman Tuminello of Vickburg talks to student recruits about the school’s Electro-Mechanical Technology program at the Vicksburg–Warren Campus.
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With six campuses in central Mississippi, 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.
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.