Coahoma Community College News May 22, 2017 CCC MI-BEST celebrates first graduates They enrolled at Coahoma Community College with their hopes set on earning their GED. But in just 16 months, they've been able to achieve much more. Charles Williams (Tunica, MS), Anthony Wilson and Troy Mays (both of Gunnison, MS), were among the hundreds of CCC graduates recognized during last week's commencement exercise for earning a Career Certificate in the Industrial Maintenance Career and Technical Education program. The trio enrolled in CCC by way of the Mississippi Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (MI-BEST) program, which offers individuals the opportunity to earn their GED while taking college courses and earning stackable credentials. In addition to earning their GED, they've now received a certification that will give them a competitive edge when applying for jobs. Nekedra Blockett, CCC MI-BEST navigator, said the group were the first in the program to successfully complete a course of study. "These were three of my students that started out with me when the program was introduced in Jan. 2016," Blockett said. "I am proud that they hung in there, even when times were hard, and did not give up. They are the epitome of what MI-BEST was designed to achieve." Blockett said all of the students now plan to continue pursuing an associate's degree from CCC. "The end results seemed so far when we first initiated this program, but seeing their success has made me more eager to push forward and encourage other students that the sky is the limit." In addition to the graduates, the program is also celebrating its latest GED success story. Ky'Juan Wade (Cleveland, MS) recently earned his GED and was presented a $200 incentive, courtesy of MI-BEST. He attended GED classes, under the direction of CCC GED Instructor Chris Parks, at CCC's Cleveland, MS site. Wade is currently enrolled in CCC's Welding program and plans to continue his education in the fall. "The saying 'it's never too late to get your education' is true," said Blockett. "We are thankful for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and the Mississippi Community College Board for making this program possible to our students and the community." CCC's MI-BEST program is now accepting applications for the Fall 2017 semester. For questions of more information, contact Blockett at (662) 621-4301 or by email at nblockett@coahomcc.edu<mailto:nblockett@coahomcc.edu> SANDRA M. PHOENIX HBCU Library Alliance Executive Director Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library 111 James P. Brawley Drive SW Atlanta, GA 30314 404-978-2118 (office) 404-702-5854 (cell) http://www.hbculibraries.org/ sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org%3cmailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org>> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance1/ and Twitter https://twitter.com/HBCULibAlliance Check out "PULSE!" The HBCU Library Alliance's News Source! - https://hbculibraryalliance.wordpress.com/