[dropcap]J[/dropcap]ackson State University President Carolyn W. Meyers wowed a group of potential enrollees while celebrating the long-term relationship with President Clyde Muse of Hinds Community College, which makes up nearly 40 percent of JSU’s transfer student population.
In the first of several upcoming trips to two-year institutions, Meyers told gatherers at the Raymond campus Monday, Oct. 20, that her visit is important because she gets to experience first-hand from students and faculty that the JSU-HCC partnership is working.
Calling Muse her hero, Meyers commended the HCC chief executive for his loyalty and for significantly growing the community college.
“What made us friends is that we share a commitment to giving students the best educational experience possible – no modifiers, no qualifiers. Our goal is not focused on students just being good enough but rather being the best. We are dream-makers,” said Meyers, reeling off a number of successes at JSU from record enrollment to technological advancements to academic enrichment initiatives.
Muse reflected on the beginning of Meyers’ tenure in 2011, when they both began talking about a partnership that has paid off for a number of students and employees. Citing Meyers’ background in mechanical engineering, he said the collaboration between the two institutions provides great opportunities, particularly for those interested in technical fields.
“Dr. Meyers has grown enrollment to well over 9,000 students since she’s been in Mississippi. … Our common goal is to do the best we can for them. We look forward to more years of progress.”
Later, Meyers participated in an informal Q&A by convening in a circle and answering questions from prospective Tigers as well as from HCC alums sharing their experiences of transferring to JSU.
Tershuna Bass, a social work graduate at JSU, finished at HCC in May. The native of Raymond said,
HCC prepared me to find my niche at Jackson State. In the future, I plan to get my master’s degree from JSU and then start my career by opening a shelter for the homeless.”
Furthermore, she said she would not have been able to attend JSU without the Phi Theta Kappa (Honor Society) scholarship. Bass described Meyers as approachable and said meeting her was “simply amazing.”
Dr. Theresa Hamilton, academic vice president for the district and Hinds’ Raymond campus, said, “In the last four or five years we have really stepped up the partnership with JSU. It’s all about students. Our job at HCC is to prepare them to do well at JSU, and we see this as a role for JSU to welcome them in two ways – with scholarships, particularly through Phi Theta Kappa, and helping our student-leaders get involved in campus activities. It’s about academic, leadership and personal growth.”
Along with opportunities for students, the partnership between the institutions allows 15 HCC employees to enroll annually at JSU. Hamilton said the joint effort is so popular that “it creates a little drama over who gets selected to be on the list. That’s a good sign,” she said.
Dr. Priscilla Slade, JSU’s special assistant to the provost for community colleges and international programs, said, “We have partnered to provide HCC students a seamless transition to a four-year institution. This allows us to increase the level of degree attainment for Mississippians. Hinds is the largest community college in the state. It’s important that students know that their presidents support this partnership. Also, it’s important for young men and women at Hinds to meet Dr. Meyers and realize that she is student-centric because thoughts and attitudes of leadership permeate throughout an organization. Students should know they have a leader in Dr. Meyers who is concerned about their lives and successes.”
Another student also aims to benefit from the partnership.
Elijah Middleton, an HCC sophomore studying vocal performance, said he’s choosing JSU because “it has outstanding musical and educational programs.”
The Prentiss native said, “Meyers is an outstanding person. She’s genuine, and I love what she’s doing for JSU. I’m excited about coming to Jackson State.” Repeating a refrain often cited by Meyers, Middleton said, “It’s a great day to be a tiger.”
