Hinds CC graduates a study in contrasts

PEARL, Miss., (VDN) — The life stories and paths to Hinds Community College for Deb Randall Cox and Nwal Said couldn’t be more different, but both walked across the stage Dec. 10 having achieved a goal before moving on to their next step.

Cox, 68, of Flowood is a retired Marine who recently started a drone business. He came to Hinds for one semester to get a certificate and FAA license as a drone pilot. He plans to return for a degree and for an airplane pilot’s license.

Said, 27, is also ambitious. A Louisiana resident, she studied in the paralegal program while also taking nursing program prerequisites. After graduation she plans to work in the paralegal field and apply to the nursing program at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in the fall. She also wants to study law. She was the featured speaker at the 2 p.m. Dec. 10 ceremony.

“Each of us has our own story, but today those stories unite,” Said said to classmates. “Whether we were full-time students balancing work and family or returning learners pursuing a long-awaited dream – we all share the same pride and joy of this accomplishment. Today is not just about one of us; it’s about all of us.”

Said, who earned a two-year Associate degree, came to Hinds with a High School Equivalency certificate instead of a traditional diploma. She said she questioned whether she could achieve her goals. 

“I am so grateful that I chose Hinds Community College. Hinds gave me more than an education; it gave me confidence and hope. The faculty and students treated me with kindness and respect, and I truly felt that I belonged here. Hinds became more than a college to me. It became a home, a place where I could grow, dream and believe in myself,” she said.

Said, who said she is a Muslim Yemeni woman born in the United States, said not everyone has the opportunity for an education as do people in the U.S. “For that, we should always be thankful,” she said.

Cox, who earned a college career certificate, said his familiarity with drones goes back to the first Gulf War in 1990-1991. A Vietnam veteran, he was called back into service because the military was short of trained snipers.

After having a liver transplant, he was receiving Supplemental Security Income until he became old enough to switch to Social Security, which enabled him to work and earn money again.

He saw a documentary on today’s drones and what they can do. “I said, that’s interesting.’” The next day, a former military buddy called him up and asked if he wanted to work with him flying drones.

Cox decided he wanted to get into the drone business mapping farms and fields. He spent a semester at Hinds, which enabled him to get his FAA license.

“I am coming back. I’m going to skip a semester or two and get my business really up and running and finish up with an Associate degree. And I’m going to get into the private pilot program and go ahead and get my pilot’s license,” he said.

Cox said he decided to go through the graduation ceremony because “I’ve earned the certificate and it’s good for the program. The program needs to be out there.”

Cox’s final project for Hinds’ drone program was a presentation he created that could be used as a marketing and recruiting tool. He said he believes in the program enough that he wanted to give something back. 

Said and Cox were among more than 900 students earning nearly 1,300 credentials graduating from Hinds in four different ceremonies.

Isaiah Harrison, 19, of Puckett said the invocation and benediction. Harrison has been taking general studies courses in preparation for pursuing a bachelor’s degree in social work at Mississippi College.

Among the graduates, 466 students are graduating with honors, including 239 cum laude, or 3.2 to 3.59 grade point average; 166 magna cum laude, or 3.6-3.99 GPA and 63 summa cum laude, a perfect 4.0 GPA.

With six campuses in central Mississippi, Hinds Community College is a comprehensive institution offering quality, affordable educational opportunities with academic programs of study leading to seamless university transfer and career and technical programs teaching job-ready skills.

Our Mission: Hinds Community College is committed to moving people and communities forward by helping develop their purpose, passion and profession. 

Our Vision: Hinds Community College will be a catalyst to create a competitive economy and a compelling culture for Mississippi. 

Our Values: Hinds Community College aspires to the following IDEALS: Integrity, Diversity, Excellence, Accountability, Leadership, Stewardship. 

To learn more, visit www.hindscc.edu or call 1.800.HindsCC.