High school counselors serving in Coahoma’s five-county district acquainted themselves with key staffers at a luncheon recently held on campus.
With Dean of Academic Affairs Dr. Rolonda Brown highlighting the event, the representatives from secondary schools, including Coahoma County Sr. High, Clarksdale High, Rosa Fort High, Tunica Academy, Lee Academy, West Tallahatchie High, and McEvans High, were offered the opportunity to discuss concerns with personnel from the Health Sciences, Career and Technical Education, and Student Engagement divisions.
Director of Educational Outreach William Wade brought opening statements to start the program, remarking, “Thank you for joining us today. I see that we have started the meeting and greeting of some people that we don’t know and some people we are familiar with. This is what we wanted this luncheon to do, continue to create synergy around success in our five communities that we serve.”
He then introduced the Coahoma Community College Choir, which performed a hugely applauded concert rendition of “Wade in the Water.”
Just before one-on-one discussions and lunch took place, Dr. Rolonda Brown spoke on a planned-out directive from CCC president Dr. Valmadge T. Towner. The College's executive team eyes a new objective, to develop connections with high schools belonging to Coahoma’s five-county district in which the counties of Coahoma, Quitman, Bolivar, Tallahatchie, and Tunica sit.
“We are very excited about being here today,” Brown said to begin her keynote talk in the Magnolia Room.
She prefaced the talk informing the audience that the two top ingredients indicating a successful or lasting relationship are quality time and communication, providing a complete definition for both.
“The two indicators say to the partners in the relationship that they are important; I wish I had read that a few years ago,” she humored.
“Quality time is defined as time spent in giving another person one’s undivided attention in order to strengthen a relationship,” she continued. “Our president is very serious about us spending time with each school district. So much so, he had all of the deans as well as some of the directors of the College to visit every high school in our five-county area.”
Brown further explained that in November, each high school in Coahoma’s district was invited to the CCC campus to see the marching band perform, hear the choir, and meet with Academic and Career-Tech instructors. She also announced a newly entered project where CCC representatives are visiting high schools to meet with their juniors and seniors.
“In the month of October, we visited every school district, not just high school; we sat with every superintendent represented in our five-county area. Why? Because quality time and communication says to the partners that they are important, the relationship is a serious one, and we care about the outcome of this relationship,” said Brown, who closed out the address confirming changes made on the state level to dual enrollment stipulations.
She noted that high school students taking at least six hours of the cataloged college courses with a minimum 3.0 GPA are allowed to join any CCC clubs and organizations, with an exception to Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
Conversations to clear up concerns and the announcement of awards for achievements related to proficient passing rates and increased enrollment of students dually taking college courses would follow.
Wishing attendees a happy February, President Towner delivered amicable remarks to conclude activities.
“Thank you, counselors and other colleagues, from our various high schools throughout our five-county assigned area by the state of Mississippi, for taking time out of your schedule to come here and be with us during a day in which I’m certain you’re busy,” said Towner.
“I really wish I could give each of you a pair of boxing gloves because we’re here hopefully to join together, not compete with each other, but to join forces and fight. ‘Fight what?’ Not political parties, not racists, but to fight ignorance.”