This fall, the Holmes Community College Career-Technical Education (CTE) Department began offering a number of new programs across the district. On the Ridgeland Campus, Holmes began offering the Drafting and Design program as part of the Engineering Technology Department. Taught by Heather Mooney, these courses include Engineering Graphics, Mechanical Design I, Construction Standards and Materials, Computer Aided Design I, Computer Aided Design II and Blueprint Reading I.
Additionally, the Ridgeland Campus will add the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC) & Refrigeration Technology program in the spring of 2022 and will offer the Massage Therapy program with a spring 2022 start date. HVAC & Refrigeration Technology is a post-secondary instructional program that prepares individuals to work in engineering departments or private firms installing, maintaining and operating small or medium air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration systems. Holmes is adding an Evening/Weekend Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) option on the Ridgeland Campus, as well.
“We are starting an evening/weekend program here in Ridgeland to start in January of 2022,” said ADN Department Chair/Assistant Director Alice Austin, PhD, RN. “The application process is open through Sept. 15 and requirements include: a 2.0 GPA, an ACT composite of 18, an ACT reading score of 18 and an ACT math score of 17 (or have completed College Algebra). Pre-requisite are Anatomy & Physiology I and II, Microbiology and Nutrition. We are excited to offer this option to our students.”
Along with the expansions to CTE programs on the Ridgeland Campus, Holmes is offering Forest Technology, Conservation Law Enforcement Technology and Business & Office Technology courses on the Goodman Campus. James Floyd is the advisor for the Forest Technology and Conservation Law enforcement programs while Ginny Ables is the instructor for the Business & Office Technology courses. The classes are taught in the Donald E. Phillips Business Building on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Conservation Law Enforcement Technology is a two-year program of study that prepares the graduate for entry-level employment as a Conservation Law Enforcement Officer (game warden) in the state of Mississippi. The program blends technical courses in forestry and academic courses in criminal justice with other academic courses, including the core.
Forest Technology is an intensive program of instruction and training to prepare individuals for service in different aspects of forest management operations. Major topics of the program include: the role of foresters in society; the identification and valuation of forest and ornamental woody species; the manipulation of forest stands to produce specific benefits; the impacts of fire, insects, and disease in forest stands; forest measurement and mapping methods; and timber harvesting and utilization systems. Forest Technology is a two-year program.
“We’re the only community college in the state that offers the degree for conservation law enforcement technology, and there are only two other colleges that currently offer degrees in Forest Technology,” Floyd explained. “We’re expanding the program to increase our footprint and better serve our clients.”
Floyd said that students who enjoy field trips, labs in the field and ones looking for a career outdoors would make great candidates for these programs.
The Business Technology program includes a basic core of courses designed to prepare a student for a variety of entry-level positions through selection of a concentration leading to a Technical Certificate, Advanced Technical Certificate or Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree.
“Because of our new technology, we are excited to be able to offer a Flexible Hybrid Zoom option for students to take classes in all BOT pathways without having to travel across campuses,” Ables said. “Being able to offer the BOT program to all locations of Holmes increases the students we can reach. It also allows our students to network across campuses enriching their college experience. We feel that this new opportunity will be useful for those interested in BOT as they work toward their career goals.
“This program is an excellent choice for a variety of students as there are multiple options for completion: one-year certification, two-year advanced certification, and an AAS degree,” she added. “For those students looking to find a career in which they can excel in medical office, business management, and at-home career roles, these programs allow for education that leads straight to the field. For those that wish to continue their education at the university level, there are transfer options post-program as well. The variety of options allows students to choose the path that best aligns with their career goals and lifestyle.”
Finally, CTE is adding a full-time Welding program at the Attala Center in Kosciusko and is set to begin in the spring of 2022.
“We are excited that welding is now offered on four of Holmes’ campuses: Ridgeland, Goodman, Grenada and now Kosciusko,” said welding instructor Nathan Hutchinson. Welders are in high demand right now and we can’t turn out students quick enough to fill the vacant job spots.”
To sign up for these classes, click on the Enroll Now tab on the Holmes website at holmescc.edu.
For more information about CTE programs, contact Jessica Leverette at jleverette or (601) 605-3386.