BY ALEXUS HUNTER | APR 2, 2024
(Clarksdale, Mississippi) — Coahoma Community College was notified in early March that the institution stood out among a competitive pool and became a finalist for receiving a $50,000 Incentive Grant from the Education Design Lab for Rural College Practitioners.
The Education Design Lab works with colleges across the United States to improve educational efforts. Some of the areas of emphasis have entailed micro-pathways and micro-credentialing.
The purpose of the grant is to provide short-term programs for students through synchronous and asynchronous modes while supporting deeper learning of rural education and workforce.
Coahoma Community College will mirror the platform of the Education Design Lab by possibly offering short-term courses through Coursera and Workforce Development.
Various leaders from the college came together to secure the grant: Gwendolyn Johnson, Title III Director; Cynthia Roberson, Research Assessment and Strategic Initiatives Director; Dr. Larry Webster, Dean of the Career and Technical Education Division; Steven Jossell, Executive Director of Workforce Development; and Dr. Ouida McAfee, Director of Teaching and Learning.
Due to the efforts of the team, Coahoma Community College went from semi-finalist to finalist by going through an intense interview led by the Education Design Lab. The five-member leadership team answered questions about the direction of the grant, Workforce Development, Career and Technical Education, data collection, and challenges the institution faced. Later this month, a few of the team members will be traveling to Motlow State Community College to discuss the impact of rural colleges and data tracking.
Dr. Towner was briefed about the grant and offered the team congratulations as they begin to implement the initiatives of the grant to offer classes that will lead to short-term credentialing and skill enhancement. Coahoma Community College will mirror the platform of the Education Design Lab by possibly offering short-term courses through CourseEra and Workforce Development.
For Media Inquiries, Contact:
Alexus Hunter
Chief Communications Officer
(662) 621-4061
