Hinds CC recognizes Fall 2024 IDEAList employee awards

RAYMOND, Miss. – The Fall 2024 honorees in Hinds Community College’s IDEAList employee recognition program were recognized at the Feb. 5 Board of Trustees meeting.

IDEALists are nominated by anyone at Hinds. They represent Hinds’ college values of Integrity, Diversity, Excellence, Accountability, Leadership and Stewardship.

In alphabetical order, the IDEAList honorees are:

Alston Curtis of Vicksburg is Library Technical Assistant on the Vicksburg-Warren Campus, and has degrees from Hinds Community College and Belhaven University. He helps students with computers, displays, programs and other library and online resources. Curtis has been at Hinds since 2023.

Monica Davis of Lorman is the Early Childhood Education Department Chair and Curriculum Coordinator at the Utica Campus. Davis teaches core concepts, plans lessons that address early childhood education requirements, and creates a safe learning environment for children. Davis is a graduate of Copiah-Lincoln Community College and has several degrees from Alcorn State University. She has been at Hinds 22 years.

Cathy Hayden, a Florence resident, is Director of Publications. A graduate of the University of Mississippi and Spring Hill College, she was a journalist at The Clarion-Ledger for 25 years, primarily covering education, before coming to Hinds in 2007. Her duties include writing news releases, writing stories and organizing material for the On Campus employee newsletter and Hindsight magazine, and directing event coverage.

Tracey Edwards of Jackson had a 28-year career with Jackson Public Schools, leaving as Custodian Supervisor over 20 elementary schools before coming to Hinds in 2023. He was a Maintenance Technician at Nursing Allied Health before retiring in December.

Larry Kelly is the Supervisor of Housekeeping and Facilities at Eagle Ridge Conference Center. A Raymond resident and graduate of Rebul Academy, he has worked at Hinds for 28 years. His duties include setting up for college and community events as well as helping to maintain the facility while also making sure that the hotel is in order and ready for the public.

Larry Martin of Jackson is an English instructor on the Rankin Campus. A graduate of Rebul Academy, the University of Mississippi and Kansas State University, he has been a full-time employee at Hinds for nearly 27 years and was an adjunct instructor for four years before that. He teaches Intermediate English and Reading, Composition I and II, British Literature I and II, World Literature II and creative writing. He is also the advisor for the College Ink student literary publication.

Carol McLaurin is a resident of Tougaloo. A Hinds employee for nearly 32 years, she is Dean of Students at the Rankin Campus. She has several degrees from Jackson State University, in psychology and Counseling/Human Resource Education.

Willie Perkins of Jackson is a math instructor at the Utica Campus, and has been with Hinds for 14 years. He has degrees from Tougaloo College and Jackson State University. His duties include teaching math to Hinds students.

Adam Simmons, a Byram resident, is Senior Technical Support in the Information Technology Department on the Raymond Campus where he has worked for nearly six years. A Terry High School graduate, he has two Hinds degrees, in computer networking and computer programming. He manages the Support Center, on-site technicians and devices, providing IT support for all employees and students.

Mardarius Thomas of Winona is Assistant Director of Career Services on the Jackson Campus. A graduate of the University of Mississippi and Mississippi College, he has worked at Hinds for two years. He previously worked at the University of West Georgia and Christian Brothers University. His duties include building a pipeline for the employment of students, overseeing all career service functions and implementing experiential learning opportunities.

April Williams is a Human Resource Specialist on the Raymond Campus. A Jackson resident, she is a graduate of Provine High School, Hinds Community College and the University of Mississippi. She has been a science teacher, account manager and payroll processing coordinator in previous jobs. At Hinds, her duties include a variety of HR duties including part-time payroll, job postings, legal name changes for employees, tuition waivers and employment verifications.