Pearl River Community College

Pearl River Community College and William Carey University have created new pathways to success for Hancock County students through the signing of two memorandums of agreement Friday. 

As part of the first agreement with William Carey University, Carey will provide education classes for third and fourth-year students at Pearl River’s Hancock County Center. 

“We work on a daily basis to provide educational opportunities to those we serve,” PRCC President Dr. Adam Breerwood said. “This is a great opportunity for students from Hancock County and just an opportunity to address a problem that has been taking place in the state for many years. The teacher shortage is real and we are excited to be partnering with an outstanding university like William Carey and offering the foundation we can provide to help shore up this issue for our surrounding communities.”

Those participating in the program would remain at PRCC’s campus after completion of their associates degree and finish their bachelor’s degree as WCU students. These students also have the added benefit of receiving a near 50 percent reduction in tuition price. 

“We are proud to have this partnership,” WCU Executive Vice President Dean of Education Dr. Ben Burnett said. “It certainly broadens our base of students that we can reach. Our undergraduate teacher education program at William Carey has grown tremendously; 100 percent in the last two years.  We want to continue to educate as many people as we can in teacher education in part because our schools need a large number of teachers to replace those that are retiring. This gives us one more opportunity to do that.”

Students who complete the program also agree to teach in a Hancock County school system for a minimum of three years.

“This can be such a powerful partnership for everyone,” Superintendent of Hancock County Schools and PRCC board member Allen Dedeaux said. “For our students to get this opportunity to continue their education at an affordable price is going to be a game changer. Hopefully we can continue to get great teachers from a program that put it out there for students to take advantage of. We have a lot of students with other responsibilities and jobs and with the flexibility embedded in this program, I think that’s going to be a benefit to all.”

The two institutions previously made this same agreement for Pearl River’s Poplarville campus in 2018 and now have a successful first class of graduates teaching in Pearl River County school districts. 

William Carey is already beginning the process of advising students currently attending Pearl River with the program officially anticipated to start at the PRCC Hancock Center in the fall of 2021. 

The second memorandum outlines pathways for PRCC academic and technical students to continue their education beyond Pearl River. Technical students interested in continuing their education beyond their Associate in Applied science will be able to apply some if not all of their technical and academic credits toward a Bachelor’s degree at WCU. Students can take advantage of this transfer option immediately. 

Burnett has seen the effects of this transfer option firsthand as his son graduated from both Pearl River’s Unmanned Aerial Program and William Carey with a bachelor’s degree in math and business. 

“It just gives people more options,” Burnett said. “The days are gone of someone graduating with one degree and staying in that job all their life. People don’t just change jobs, they change careers. Because of that we’ve got to give people as many options as we can. That is the beauty of what our community colleges and career technical education can do.”

This draws on the strengths of both institutions; to provide more opportunities in technical education and meet current and future workforce demands. 

Breerwood understands the importance of making students aware of these transfer opportunities and how that can affect their future and the future of others. 

“We’re going to have to continue to market all of our opportunities at our college,” Breerwood said. “There are so many opportunities available and so many routes to success. These two really need to be on the forefront because they not only address the need for people to be able to receive opportunities for outstanding professions, but it also helps us solidify and bring up the younger generation by putting more quality teachers in the classroom.”

Photo LtR: Superintendent of Hancock County Schools and PRCC board member Allen Dedeaux, PRCC President Dr. Adam Breerwood, WCU Executive Vice President Dean of Education Dr. Ben Burnett and Assistant Director of Student Services Dr. Alesia Haynes.

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Pearl River Community College offers equal education and employment opportunities.  The College does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, veteran status, or disability.  For inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies or to request accommodations, special assistance, or alternate format publication please contact Tonia M. Seal, Director of Admissions and Records/ ADA/Civil Rights Coordinator at P.O. Box 5559, Poplarville, MS 39470 or 601-403-1060 or Maghan James, Assistant Vice President of Student Services/Title IX Coordinator at P.O. Box 5805, Poplarville, MS 39470 or 601-403-1132.

Pearl River Community College’s food pantry, The Market, recently received a donation of $700 by The Rotary Club of Poplarville to continue it’s good work. 

“So many needs are met, and lives touched through The Market,” The Market Manager Tina Smith said.  “I would like to say thank you to The Poplarville Rotary Club for their generous donation. We truly appreciate their support.”

The Market first opened in 2018 and is a free food pantry for students, staff, and faculty with food insecurity. Students, both commuter and dorming, can access The Market with a current PRCC ID. It is completely free and its visitors are kept anonymous. The Market is housed within the Carol Williams Station, named after its founder. The Station houses both The Market and The Wildcat Career Closet, a place where students can get free clothing for speeches and job interviews.  The Market is open Wednesday and Thursday of every week from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. 

Rotary is a service based organization with 1.2 million members globally. The Poplarville Rotary Club was founded February 1926 and has held meetings in Crosby Hall on the Campus of Pearl River Community College since its founding. The Poplarville Club meets Wednesdays at noon in the Special Events Room in the Olivia Bender Cafeteria. 

“That Rotary Club of Poplarville is very thankful for our partnership with Pearl River Community College,” Rotary Club of Poplarville President Dalton Spiers said. “We are so excited to be able to donate back to the Carol Williams Station to assist PRCC students, faculty, and staff in their ability to access the Market Food Pantry. Rotary’s motto, Service Above Self, is demonstrated daily on the campus of PRCC as members of the Wildcat Family demonstrate Pride, Respect, Class and Character.” 

Donations can be made to The Market by contacting Tina Smith at tjsmith@prcc.edu.

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Pearl River Community College offers equal education and employment opportunities.  The College does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, veteran status, or disability.  For inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies or to request accommodations, special assistance, or alternate format publication please contact Tonia M. Seal, Director of Admissions and Records/ ADA/Civil Rights Coordinator at P.O. Box 5559, Poplarville, MS 39470 or 601-403-1060 or Maghan James, Assistant Vice President of Student Services/Title IX Coordinator at P.O. Box 5805, Poplarville, MS 39470 or 601-403-1132.

Pearl River Community College’s Business Management Technology program will be providing even more varied opportunities this spring by offering a flexible schedule including short-term coursework and a fully online degree option.  

“The changes being made to course offerings within the Business Management Technology program are going to offer our students ultimate flexibility,” Department Chair of Business Management Technology Lauren Mayeaux said. “ There will be varied terms anywhere from 4, 8, or 15 week sessions.  This will allow students to complete more credit hours within the semester while focusing on fewer classes at one time.”

The Business Management Technology program, offered at PRCC’s Poplarville and Hattiesburg locations, allows students to take advantage of both online and face-to-face instruction. This gives them the ability to build a schedule around their lives. The program provides students with the knowledge and skills that are needed to further their career in small business ownership, hospitality and retail management, accounting services, administration services, human resource management and other management organizations. Students completing the program will have the opportunity to obtain OPAC certifications in Word, Excel, QuickBooks and Proofreading. 

“The great thing about the program is flexibility,” Instructor of Business Management Technology Reginald Townsend said. “It allows students to complete their courses on their own time regardless of where they live, work, or play. 

“We meet the students where they are. Simply amazing.” 

Whether someone is a first-time college student or coming back to continue their education, this program gives them the ability to reimagine their future without rearranging their lives.

“We are really excited about offering a more flexible option,” Instructor of Business Management Technology Amy Smith said. “Students can be anywhere to learn and interact with instructors and other students. We will offer dynamic, interactive courses to prepare students for the workplace.” 

The program has already changed the lives of many students and allowed them to take hold of their futures amidst their busy lives. 

When Brittany McLaurin made the decision to go to college, she was already a wife and mother of three children. 

“I chose Pearl River Community College because I had heard excellent reviews about their business program and it was close to my home,” McLaurin said. “While in my second semester, my instructors selected me to interview for a new internship at NASA Shared Services Center. I was offered the 12 week position in the Human Resources department. This program gave me the chance to receive on the job training while working on my degree and set me on an unexpected career path.”

Upon completion of the internship McLaurin was offered a full time position as a Human Resources Assistant. 

“The program opened doors that I never imagined,” McLaurin said. “Thank you PRCC for this life changing opportunity.” 

As students excel in their class work and various projects, they learn life skills that will help them grow in business, industry and the community workforce. Courses such as QuickBooks, Entrepreneurship, Microsoft Office, Communication Essentials and Business Accounting will help students to gain skills they need to grow in an ever changing job market.   

The skills BMT graduate, Cierra Plaisance, gained during her time in the program took her farther than she could have imagined as she now works as a Flight Attendant for Frontier Airlines. 

“This program completely set me up for success, it gave me the confidence to achieve opportunities and not settle for less than where I wanted to be. Without the program, and my amazing instructors I wouldn’t be where I am today. The sky is the limit.” 

The Business Management Technology program offers a 30-hour Career Certificate, 45-hour technical certificate and a 60-hour Associate of Applied Science degree. 

For more information about the BMT program you can contact Mayeaux at 601-403-1188 or lmayeaux@prcc.edu.

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Pearl River Community College offers equal education and employment opportunities.  The College does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, veteran status, or disability.  For inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies or to request accommodations, special assistance, or alternate format publication please contact Tonia M. Seal, Director of Admissions and Records/ ADA/Civil Rights Coordinator at P.O. Box 5559, Poplarville, MS 39470 or 601-403-1060 or Maghan James, Assistant Vice President of Student Services/Title IX Coordinator at P.O. Box 5805, Poplarville, MS 39470 or 601-403-1132.

The following students graduated last week from the Certified Nurse Aide course offered by Pearl River Community College at the Lowery Woodall Advanced Technology Center in Hattiesburg. They are from left: First row - Kristi Cagins of Columbia; second row - Erma McCullough of Hattiesburg and Kimmion Prewitt of Collins; third row - Jessica Magee of Columbia and Contessa Jones of Columbia; top row - Leslie Morgan of Sumrall and Cierra Cotton of Columbia. Program instructor is Adison King. Enrollment is currently underway for January 2021 classes. For information, call 601-554-4646 or visit the Woodall Advanced Technology Center. 

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Pearl River Community College offers equal education and employment opportunities.  The College does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, veteran status, or disability.  For inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies or to request accommodations, special assistance, or alternate format publication please contact Tonia M. Seal, Director of Admissions and Records/ ADA/Civil Rights Coordinator at P.O. Box 5559, Poplarville, MS 39470 or 601-403-1060 or Maghan James, Assistant Vice President of Student Services/Title IX Coordinator at P.O. Box 5805, Poplarville, MS 39470 or 601-403-1132.

Pearl River Community College Development Foundation recently received a generous $10,000 endowment gift by The American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Mississippi, Steel Magnolias. 

The American Legion Auxiliary is the largest patriotic women’s organization in the world. With more than 800,000 members across the United States and beyond, they provide volunteer service in communities around the state and across the nation enriching the lives of veterans.

The Steel Magnolias organization is comprised of past presidents from the American Legion Auxiliary. When the group began looking for a place for their raised funds, one member had a personal connection with the institution.

“My granddaughter went to school here, graduated from the nursing program and is an RN at Memorial Hospital in Gulfport,” Past State President Phyllis Moran said. “We were very pleased with the education she got here so when it came down to deciding where we wanted to put our money, Pearl River was one of our choices.” 

The endowment of a scholarship means that the donor provides a permanent principle amount to be devoted to fund scholarships and the foundation uses the earnings from the investment toward the scholarship support. This helps ensure that the principle endowment and any funds the donor chooses to add to that gift will be retained and carry on for years to come.

The scholarship endowment will support a student who has entered the PRCC Nursing Program and is either the child or grandchild of a veteran. The student could also be a veteran. 

The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program at PRCC is designed to prepare graduates for a challenging and satisfying career as a registered nurse. The ADN program begins each fall and spring semester on the Poplarville campus. Once accepted into the ADN program, the traditional option is four semesters in length or the LPN to ADN option is one part-time semester with the remaining two semesters of the traditional program of study. The curriculum includes a balance of nursing and general educational courses. Students have the opportunity to apply nursing theory and skills in the simulation/skills lab and in a variety of healthcare agencies. Clinical settings may include hospitals located within the six counties the college serves as well as clinics, long-term care facilities, physician offices, rehabilitation centers, and K-12 schools. 

The application period for the program is July 1 to Oct. 1 for spring entrance and Dec. 1 to March 1 for fall entrance. 

Those interested in the ADN program can visit http://www.prcc.edu/academics/plans/health-nursing/adn to learn more. 

Since the Pearl River Community College Development Foundation was established in 1987, the growth and development of its scholarship program has been a highlight of the foundation's mission. The endowment of financial gifts for scholarship support is very important to the college’s continued enrollment growth and how the foundation can support PRCC students. 

“On behalf of our College Foundation Board, the college administration and Board of Trustees, and the thousands of students at Pearl River Community College, I want to express our sincere gratitude for this investment in our scholarship program by the Mississippi American Legion Auxiliary,” Executive Director of Development Foundation/Alumni Association Ernest Lovell said. “When organizations or families or individuals invest in the endowment of scholarships it means they want something that will be around for many years to come and will assist with the needs of our students. 

“It also acknowledges the trust that they have in our management and governance of the funds as we help make a student’s life-long ambitions become a reality.” 

Those interested in supporting a student through a scholarship endowment can call  Ernie Lovell 601-403-1191 or email elovell@prcc.edu.

Photo LtR: Past ALA State President and Alternate National Executive Woman Mary Smith Ried, Past ALA State President Phyllis Moran and Executive Director of Development Foundation/Alumni Services Ernest Lovell 

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Pearl River Community College offers equal education and employment opportunities.  The College does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, veteran status, or disability.  For inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies or to request accommodations, special assistance, or alternate format publication please contact Tonia M. Seal, Director of Admissions and Records/ ADA/Civil Rights Coordinator at P.O. Box 5559, Poplarville, MS 39470 or 601-403-1060 or Maghan James, Assistant Vice President of Student Services/Title IX Coordinator at P.O. Box 5805, Poplarville, MS 39470 or 601-403-1132.

Pearl River Community College received a donation of a mini excavator from Mississippi Power for its Utility Lineman Program on Tuesday.

“We are extremely appreciative of the donation from Mississippi Power,” PRCC Dean of Career and Technical Education Programs Dr. Ed Pinero said. “They’ve been a great partner and they are doing great things to support our students.”

The mini excavator will allow students to receive more hands-on experience, preparing them for their careers in the field. 

Mississippi Power Area Manager - West Coast Division Jason M. Farve started working in the power business directly out of high school. After a while, he decided to go back to school and found himself at PRCC in the Utility Lineman Program. It’s partly because of this experience that he finds these opportunities to give back so rewarding and important.

“This particular program is very near and dear to my heart,” Farve said. “It’s something I’m passionate about: Helping students directly from high school or college who want to come work for the power company. They can become a lineman or an engineer or whatever their passion is. This is a way that we can help those young students find where they want to be in their career in the future and where better than the power company. The power company is a great place to work. It’s a huge family and I’d love to see all these young men and women come and work with us.” 

The Utility Lineman Technology Program is a modular program designed to prepare the student for employment in the field of utility power transmission and distribution construction, troubleshooting, and repair.

The curriculum includes Pole and Bucket Rescue, Elevated Work Sites, Pole Climbing, Overhead Construction, Underground Construction, System Design and Operation, National Electric Safety Code, AC and DC Circuits, and Electric Power. Students may earn the following certifications: National Center for Construction Education Research (NCCER) in Core and Utility Lineworker, First Aid CPR, OSHA 10, Forklift, and Flagging. 

Upon successful completion of the program, students may earn a Technical Certificate or a two-year Associate of Applied Science Degree.

Those interested in learning more about the Utility Lineman Program can visit http://www.prcc.edu/academics/plans/agriculture/utility or email Randy Henry at rhenry@prcc.edu. 

For the latest news on Pearl River Community College, visit PRCC.edu and follow us on Twitter (@PRCC_Wildcats)  Instagram](PRCCWILDCATS) and Facebook(@PRCCMKTG).

Photo LtR: FRONT PRCC Dean of Career and Technical Education Programs Dr. Ed Pinero, Mississippi Power Scholarship Recipient Anna Necaise of Saucier, PRCC President Dr. Adam Breerwood, Mississippi Power Area Manager – West Coast Division Jason M. Farve, Mississippi Power Local Manager Byron Hill 

BACK: PRCC Utility Lineman Technology Department Chair/Instructor Randy Henry 

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Pearl River Community College offers equal education and employment opportunities.  The College does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, veteran status, or disability.  For inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies or to request accommodations, special assistance, or alternate format publication please contact Tonia M. Seal, Director of Admissions and Records/ ADA/Civil Rights Coordinator at P.O. Box 5559, Poplarville, MS 39470 or 601-403-1060 or Maghan James, Assistant Vice President of Student Services/Title IX Coordinator at P.O. Box 5805, Poplarville, MS 39470 or 601-403-1132.

Two Pearl River Community College Industrial Electronics Technology students, John Curtis Richards and Austin Nickey, were recently awarded $6,000 scholarships from the Kohler Manufacturing Machining Company in Hattiesburg.

Richards, 31, is from Petal and Nickey, 24, is from Choctaw. They are sophomore students in the program.

“I am grateful for our continued partnership with Kohler Engines,” said Dr. James David Collum, Dean of Career and Technical Education at PRCC’s Forrest County Center. “They work closely with us to help align curriculum with industry needs and assist with training students through internship opportunities.

“The Kohler Ready to Work scholarship is set up to allow two second-year students, who have successfully completed their first year in the Industrial Electronics Technology pathway, to stay in school and continue to be successful.”

Both Richards and Nickey plan to put their scholarships to good use.

“This scholarship means getting into a field I would enjoy working in and getting paid pretty decent doing it,” said Richards, who is a Petal High School graduate. “This degree is a symbol of my ability to understand what’s going on in this field.”

The same is true from Nickey, who is a Phi Theta Kappa student and a member of the National Technical Honors Society. He is a graduate of Choctaw Central High School.

“This scholarship is a sign of an opportunity and recognition that the work I have done means something,” said Nickey. “I am inspired to work even harder.”

Both plan to enter the workforce as soon as they graduate.       

Kohler Co. was founded in 1873 by John Michael Kohler and is based in Kohler, Wisconsin. 

Kohler Engines opened an engine manufacturing plant in Hattiesburg in 1997. There are now two plants – one for machining iron and aluminum components and one for warehousing and engine assembly – both located in the Hattiesburg - Forrest County Industrial Park.

Collum believes this partnership will be a benefit for PRCC students for years to come.

“With this new scholarship program, Kohler Engines will help Pearl River Community College retain students who have shown the ability to persist and be successful,” he said.

For information about the Industrial Electronics Technology program at PRCC, contact Collum at jcollum@prcc.edu or instructor Sam McNease at 601-554-5477, or email: smcnease@prcc.edu.

For the latest news on Pearl River Community College, visit PRCC.edu and follow us on Twitter (@PRCC_Wildcats), Instagram](PRCCWILDCATS) and Facebook(@PRCCMKTG).

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Pearl River Community College offers equal education and employment opportunities.  The College does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, veteran status, or disability.  For inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies or to request accommodations, special assistance, or alternate format publication please contact Tonia M. Seal, Director of Admissions and Records/ ADA/Civil Rights Coordinator at P.O. Box 5559, Poplarville, MS 39470 or 601-403-1060 or Maghan James, Assistant Vice President of Student Services/Title IX Coordinator at P.O. Box 5805, Poplarville, MS 39470 or 601-403-1132.

Pearl River Community College has received a 2020 Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Board of Trustees Award. The award was presented during the Association of Community College Trustees’ (ACCT) annual Leadership Congress, held virtually October 5-8.

The award recognizes the Board’s continued support of its PTK chapter and the opportunities for leadership and professional development it has provided for students. Only four Boards of Trustees nationwide were selected for this honor.

“The Board exemplifies the Society’s philosophy of servant leadership,” the Beta Tau Gamma chapter wrote in its nomination. “Superintendents of Education, business professionals, and even a former Secret Service officer, our board members are rooted in their communities; they represent competing needs brought together for the good of students. Those serving on our Board serve our community in numerous ways because they see volunteer work as shaping student lives.”

The PRCC Board of Trustees was nominated by PRCC’s Beta Tau Gamma PTK chapter. The Board provides $13,000 for students to travel to conferences offering professional development opportunities, and members even donate their own money to support student travel that results in personal growth and development.

The Board participates in campus organizations and supports projects and events that encourage leadership among students. It also invites PTK members to report on chapter projects and initiatives at Board meetings.

“An engaged and student-focused Board of Trustees is vital to the student success efforts of the entire institution,” PTK President and CEO Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner said. “We commend the PRCC Board of Trustees for their high commitment to the education and service initiatives shown to increase student completion and employment outcomes.”

Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. It provides opportunities for the development of leadership and service, for an intellectual climate for exchange of ideas and ideals, for lively fellowship of scholars, and for stimulation of interest in continuing academic excellence. The Society is made up of more than 3.5 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 nations, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.

For the latest news on Pearl River Community College, visit PRCC.edu and follow us on Twitter (@PRCC_Wildcats)  Instagram](PRCCWILDCATS) and Facebook(@PRCCMKTG).

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Pearl River Community College offers equal education and employment opportunities.  The College does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, veteran status, or disability.  For inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies or to request accommodations, special assistance, or alternate format publication please contact Tonia M. Seal, Director of Admissions and Records/ ADA/Civil Rights Coordinator at P.O. Box 5559, Poplarville, MS 39470 or 601-403-1060 or Maghan James, Assistant Vice President of Student Services/Title IX Coordinator at P.O. Box 5805, Poplarville, MS 39470 or 601-403-1132.

An artistic collaboration has allowed Pearl River Community College’s Wildcat Kids Club to inspire little Wildcats to stay creative with a new Wildcat Coloring Book. 

Pearl River Community College recently rejuvenated its Wildcat Kids Club. Membership is free and goes from the time the Little Wildcat is a newborn until eighth grade. The Wildcat Kids Club was created to encourage young Wildcats to strive for success and set big goals. The hope is that the Wildcat Kids Club can instill a culture of Pride, Respect, Class and Character in those Little Wildcats that will stick with them as they grow up maroon and gold.  

As part of the relaunch, the Wildcat Kids Club commissioned a new coloring book to hand out to its members and supporters.

The illustrations were done by PRCC student Skylar Boyd and PRCC Instructor of Art Matthew Gordon. 

“I think it’s important that we do this to show the community that we are involved,” Gordon said. “It’s also important to get the students involved so that they can be a part of something beyond their classes.” 

Gordon received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture from The University of Southern Mississippi and his Master of Fine Arts from Florida State University. He is currently a P.h.D. student in the College of Education at Mississippi State University. Gordon has been teaching various studio art classes for the past 12 years. He currently teaches Art Appreciation and studio art courses including Drawing, Design and Ceramics at PRCC. 

Cartoon art is not the type of art Boyd normally gravitates toward so this was somewhat of a new process for her. 

“It was very different for me,” Boyd said. “I do a lot of realistic portraits and I paint sometimes. I pulled from images I looked up and put things together to create something. It was fun.” 

Boyd graduated from Columbia High School in 2019. She is currently studying Art at PRCC and plans to transfer to the University of Southern Mississippi to major in graphic design. 

Boyd has been creating art ever since she was given finger-paints as a baby. She started taking classes at Bristles Art Studio in second grade and grew up attending art camps in Mississippi and Tennessee. She was the winner of the 2018 and 2019 Congressional Art Competition for her district, which came with the honor of displaying her art work in the United States Capital for the year. 

After the art was created, Assistant Director of Communications for Athletics Mark Franklin and Marketing and Communication Specialist Jacob Cochran compiled them to create the coloring book. 

“I’m very happy we could incorporate the art department,” Franklin said. “Any time we can collaborate with other departments of the college to reach out to the community, it’s a great opportunity. We are very thankful for Matthew and Skylar for their involvement. They did a phenomenal job and we look forward to passing these out to the Little Wildcats in our community.”

Parents or guardians wishing to sign their little Wildcat up for the Wildcat Kids Club can do so by visiting PRCCAthletics.com/Wildcat_Kids_Club.

Member perks include: invitations to free events, a monthly newsletter from Mr. W.C. Rivers about upcoming events, photo opportunities with Mr. W.C. Rivers, athletes and his friends, free admission to certain athletic events, Wildcat birthday greeting, members-only events, special on-field recognitions for academic achievements and meet-n-greets with players.  

For the latest news on Pearl River Community College, visit PRCC.edu and follow us on Twitter (@PRCC_Wildcats)  Instagram](PRCCWILDCATS) and Facebook(@PRCCMKTG).

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Pearl River Community College offers equal education and employment opportunities.  The College does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, veteran status, or disability.  For inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies or to request accommodations, special assistance, or alternate format publication please contact Tonia M. Seal, Director of Admissions and Records/ ADA/Civil Rights Coordinator at P.O. Box 5559, Poplarville, MS 39470 or 601-403-1060 or Maghan James, Assistant Vice President of Student Services/Title IX Coordinator at P.O. Box 5805, Poplarville, MS 39470 or 601-403-1132.

Pearl River Community College’s Beta Tau Gamma chapter of Phi Theta Kappa international honor society will receive an Honors in Action grant of $1,000 to enhance its 2020 Honors in Action project. 

Phi Theta Kappa and the Mellon Foundation teamed up to fund the 2020 Honors in Action grants. 

PRCC’s research project focuses partly on locating resources available to assist educators during the pandemic. 

Dr. Terri Ruckel, Dean of the Dr. William Lewis Honors Institute, and sophomore student Michelle Legg of Hattiesburg wrote the grant application. 

“We want this project to focus on the essential mental health needs for the faculty and staff of the college,” said Legg, 28, who is an English Education major. “COVID-19 has brought about big changes in how they connect with students and how their class meets up. We realize it has become one big bowl of stress for many of them.” 

According to Ruckel, the chapter is looking into the mental health effects of COVID-19 safety protocols on college personnel. 

“Beta Tau Gamma chapter is honored to have received one of these grants and will use the funds as part of an art therapy project for our faculty,” Ruckel said. 

This art therapy session, which would take place in the multi-purpose room at the Forrest County Campus, would take place at the end of the semester, right after the Thanksgiving holiday. A date and time has not been determined. 

Legg serves as the vice president for scholarships for the Beta Tau Gamma chapter. She sees this program as a teacher appreciation event and would like to have this list of resources available on the PRCC web site in the next five or six weeks. 

“Receiving this grant is not so much about winning awards, but more about giving back to and showing our faculty that we respect and care about them,” she said. 

Phi Theta Kappa’s home office praised PRCC for this project. 

“We so appreciate your willingness to go above and beyond with your Phi Theta Kappa engagement to apply for the grant and are proud of the work you do at your college and in your community with your participation in a robust Honors in Action project,” said Susan Edwards, Associate Vice President of Honors Programming and Undergraduate Research, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. 

For the latest news on Pearl River Community College, visit PRCC.edu and follow us on Twitter (@PRCC_Wildcats)  Instagram](PRCCWILDCATS) and Facebook(@PRCCMKTG).

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Pearl River Community College offers equal education and employment opportunities.  The College does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, veteran status, or disability.  For inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies or to request accommodations, special assistance, or alternate format publication please contact Tonia M. Seal, Director of Admissions and Records/ ADA/Civil Rights Coordinator at P.O. Box 5559, Poplarville, MS 39470 or 601-403-1060 or Maghan James, Assistant Vice President of Student Services/Title IX Coordinator at P.O. Box 5805, Poplarville, MS 39470 or 601-403-1132.

Pearl River Community College and Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association came together Thursday to celebrate 107 PRCC students receiving scholarships through the “Round Up for Education” program. 

“The commitment of Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association has provided numerous opportunities for our students to continue their education,” PRCC President Dr. Adam Breerwood said. “The impacts on the surrounding communities will be everlasting. For many of our students, financial hurdles create barriers to their achievement in higher education. Partnerships like these remove those barriers and make those educational goals become a reality.”

This is the eighth year for the Round Up for Education scholarship program, which is funded by members who round their bills up to the nearest dollar each month. Scholarships are available to members who round up, as well as for their spouses or dependent children who are enrolled as freshmen this fall. 

“This program was started in 2012 because we believed, and still do today, that education is the key to our financial future and to improving the quality of life of all our members in South Mississippi,” PRVEPA General Manager Randy Wallace said. “All of this is because of our membership rounding their power bill up to the nearest dollar.”

Since the Round Up program began in November 2012, more than $1.6 million has been collected and deposited in an account overseen by the PineBelt Foundation. Ten percent of each year’s funds are set aside in an endowed fund for future use. The remaining money is divided equally between the number of eligible applicants. This year that resulted in 175 scholarships, 107 being Pearl River students, worth $500 per student totaling in $53,500 in Pearl River scholarships. In the program’s eight years, 1,651 students have received scholarships.

Applications for 2021 scholarships will be available beginning in November. 

For the latest news on Pearl River Community College, visit PRCC.edu and follow us on Twitter (@PRCC_Wildcats)  Instagram](PRCCWILDCATS) and Facebook(@PRCCMKTG).

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Pearl River Community College offers equal education and employment opportunities.  The College does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, veteran status, or disability.  For inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies or to request accommodations, special assistance, or alternate format publication please contact Tonia M. Seal, Director of Admissions and Records/ ADA/Civil Rights Coordinator at P.O. Box 5559, Poplarville, MS 39470 or 601-403-1060 or Maghan James, Assistant Vice President of Student Services/Title IX Coordinator at P.O. Box 5805, Poplarville, MS 39470 or 601-403-1132.

Curtis Richards of Petal and Lyric Stewart of Canton are just two of several Pearl River Community College students doing internships this semester thanks to the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. 

They are interning at Berry Global, a plastic fabrication company located in the Hattiesburg - Forrest County Industrial Park. 

Internship programs through PRCC provide work-based learning experiences that are as beneficial for students as their classroom time. 

“These internships offer critical skills that contribute to the success of our graduates,” said Dr. James David Collum, Dean of Career and Technical Education at PRCC’s Forrest County Center.  “No lab or classroom can fully emulate the experience of participating in an internship.” 

The PRCC WIOA Internship program is funded thanks to a grant by the Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District (SMPDD). Interns are selected by instructors and paid through the grant.

“I am grateful for our industry partners for working with us and for the Twin Districts Workforce WIOA internship grant for making this life-changing opportunity available for Pearl River Community College students," said Dr. Collum. 

Richards, 31, and Stewart, 20, are sophomore students in the Electronics Technology department. Both are appreciative of their internship opportunity. 

“After graduating, I plan to get a job in my field,” said Richards. “I am excited about furthering my education all the knowledge I am gaining while working in my field.” 

The same is true for Stewart, who attended Canton Academy and plans to first join the military when she graduates before entering the workforce.  

“PRCC has been an exciting community to be a part of because of the diverse skillset that I gained while attending,” she said. 

Deloris Butler, PRCC WIN Case Manager, believes these internships are a plus all the way around for PRCC students.  

“The internship program gives students the opportunity to practice their skills in a real-world environment, build their professional network, and connect with prospective employers,” she said. 

Added Dr. Collum, “In addition to the hands-on experience and hard skills students learn at an internship, they also learn critical soft skills and the culture of work.”

For the latest news on Pearl River Community College, visit PRCC.edu and follow us on Twitter (@PRCC_Wildcats) and Facebook (@PRCCMKTG).

Pearl River Community College will hold a socially distanced Wildcat Wonderland celebration this year. 

While Pearl River’s annual event has been a regular record-breaker, PRCC’s administration had to get creative to ensure the show would go on despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Those at Pearl River want to spread cheer safely with the community and invite the public to its Poplarville campus this holiday season. 

“Things may be a little different this year, but we hope to provide an opportunity for families and friends to slow down and appreciate the joy that the Christmas season brings,” Senior Vice President for Instruction/Provost Dr. Martha Lou Smith said. “We hope the lure of the lights will draw in the community where they can drive through the campus or stop and walk around for a few minutes.”

Pearl River will be offering a free drive-thru/walk-thru Wildcat Wonderland experience with family photo opportunities throughout campus that will be open to the community Dec. 7-27 from 5-9 p.m. 

WILDCAT WONDERLAND

Wildcat Wonderland still promises to be a fun attraction for children and those young at heart alike. With white twinkling lights cascading across courtyards, garland hanging with cheer and festive wreaths and bows adorning posts and columns, the campus is set to be transformed into a magical setting for family memories. 

“While the traditional Wildcat Wonderland may not be able to take place, we are certain that PRCC can spread some Christmas cheer with our Wildcat Wonderland come-and-go experience,” Associate Vice President for Marketing & Communications Candace Harper said. “Families can enjoy a free family adventure while exploring different Christmas inspired scenes on campus. Departments rally behind the college each year to create magical moments that turn into life long memories. 

“This year may look different, but the magic is still there.”  

At the center of the Poplarville campus will be Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer, Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen, Charlie Brown, Snoopy and friends, Whoville and more. Little Wildcats can drop off their letters to Santa during the tour. Be sure to include a return address so W.C. Rivers can send your little Wildcat a surprise.

SPONSORSHIPS

Pearl River is accepting sponsorships to support this magical event. Sponsors will help the Wildcat Wonderland flourish during unprecedented times when every bit of cheer goes a long way. 

Tier One is a $250 sponsorship which includes logo placement on PRCC Wildcat Wonderland Marketing Materials as a supporter, a social media announcement of sponsorship to PRCC’s combined social media followers over 35,000 members, basic logo placement on a corrugated plastic yard sign size 24 inches wide by 18 inches high on the main strip of PRCC’s Poplarville Campus for the Wildcat Wonderland drive thru holiday display. This gives the sponsor exposure to more than 3,000 individuals based off of previous year’s data. 

Tier Two is a $500 sponsorship and includes everything offered in tier one plus a half page business ad in the college’s yearly RiverSide Magazine.

Tier Three is a $1000 sponsorship and includes the marketing material logo placement and social post from tier one and two. It additionally includes large logo placement on a 2 ½-foot by 6-foot vinyl banner (replaces the yard sign in tiers one and two), a “boosted” social media announcement of sponsorship and a full page business ad in the college’s yearly RiverSide Magazine. 

Pawpaw’s Campers & Cars and Bank Plus are currently co-sponsoring the event.  

Those interested in sponsoring the Wildcat Wonderland can email media@prcc.edu.

For the latest news on Pearl River Community College, visit PRCC.edu and follow us on Twitter (@PRCC_Wildcats)  Instagram](PRCCWILDCATS) and Facebook(@PRCCMKTG).

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Pearl River Community College offers equal education and employment opportunities.  The College does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, veteran status, or disability.  For inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies or to request accommodations, special assistance, or alternate format publication please contact Tonia M. Seal, Director of Admissions and Records/ ADA/Civil Rights Coordinator at P.O. Box 5559, Poplarville, MS 39470 or 601-403-1060 or Maghan James, Assistant Vice President of Student Services/Title IX Coordinator at P.O. Box 5805, Poplarville, MS 39470 or 601-403-1132.