Holmes Community College is picking up speed in bringing higher education opportunities to Yazoo County.
Since opening in 2015, the Adult Education Center on Fifteenth Street has offered many programs to help further the education of hundreds of people in the community.
Daniel Haralson, liaison to Holmes Community College and Director of the Workforce Development Division of Yazoo County, had a lot to say about the center's benefits.
"Most of the people we deal with are locals trying to go to the Goodman branch or the Ridgeland Branch," said Haralson. "By this facility being available, a lot of individuals can still work during the day and be enrolled in class here at night while they further their education."
The Adult Education Center offers a wide variety of prerequisite courses people can take locally that will help them get closer to their desired major, such as English Composition 1 and 2, Intermediate and College Level Algebra, Human Growth and Development, CPR and First Aid, and a variety of computer literacy courses.
"Almost all of these courses are mandatory for most majors, especially the nursing field," said Haralson. "If they want to do LPN, RN, or any of that, they will have to have all of this done before they can take actual courses for the nursing major."
Haralson said they have been discussing the idea of bringing in Vocational Courses to the Yazoo City location, such as Welding, Heating and Air (HVAC), and Commercial Truck Driving.
"We have a great facility here that could accommodate those courses," said Haralson. "The area behind the main building includes a warehouse and a large parking lot. You could section those off and it would make a great place for vocational training."
Haralson explained that the demand for skilled vocational workers is higher than ever, saying that some employers will hire a skilled worker for welding at $20 an hour starting out, over hiring a person with a Bachelor's Degree.
With enrollment in the fall semester at nearly 50 students, and spring enrollment at 25 students, it seems that locals are already taking advantage of what the Adult Education Center has to offer.
Haralson says that the most beneficial thing about taking courses locally, is that classroom size is much smaller, enabling students to get more time with instructors one-on-one if they need it.
"I would recommend to anyone who's looking to take English or Math courses, to take it in the classroom, because online you don't have access to a person who can better explain things face to face," said Haralson.
Courses at the Adult Education Center vary in length depending on the courses offered. Normal academic courses like English Composition and College Algebra operate from January to May in the spring semester, and August to December in the fall semester.
When the number of enrollees permits, summer courses can be available through June and July, allowing students to be enrolled year-round.
The Yazoo City location also offers one day workshops for ServSafe and CPR for individuals who need to renew they certifications to maintain their jobs.
One upcoming program Holmes is promoting for the center is a six-week Drywall Certification Course, starting on April 14 from 6-9 p.m. The cost of the entire course will be $75 and will include classroom as well as hands-on instruction, with the added benefit of employment opportunities locally for students who successfully complete the course and receive their certification.
The Adult Education Center is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., with night classes starting at 5:30 p.m.
Students do not have to be registered directly at the Yazoo City location to take advantage of its facilities. If a student presents their current Holmes Student ID, they can access the computer lab for homework assignments or for school-related business.
"They can come in and apply for financial aid, and everything," said Haralson. "I give them the instructions on how to register, how to develop and complete a class schedule. We can even help if they need us to call another branch or fax something to help them finish up their financial aid paperwork."
Students can register from one to four classes at a time. Different classes meet each night from 5:30-6:20 p.m., with security provided.
In order to register for classes at the Adult Education Center, students must already have obtained either a High School Diploma or a G.E.D.
Any person who still needs to pursue a GED or Basic Adult Education can seek out David Parker at the Holmes G.E.D. Center on Jackson Avenue next to Sam Nicholas Baseball Field.
"If a person were to get that Diploma or GED program certificate, they could just bring it to us and we will get started immediately to get them enrolled in an area that they are interested in or that suits them," said Haralson.
Residents of Yazoo County and the surrounding areas who are interested in furthering their education are encouraged to visit the Adult Education Center for more information, or call and speak with Haralson or Kiristi Mills, office manager, at 662-746-1273.
"This facility is available," said Haralson. "I wish that everyone seeking school training would come by and leave their name and number. I will contact them and we will try to get them into a program that will help them to move forward."
