06/01/2026
Congratulations Minister JaWanda Huggins 👏🏾 Job well done and may God continue to shine on you 🙏🏽
MCCERS BANE, HUGGINS GRADUATE FROM MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY. Meridian Community College employees Darren Bane and JaWanda Huggins recently graduated from the Mississippi Community College Leadership Academy (MCCLA), a statewide program that helps community college employees grow as leaders.
MCCLA was developed in 2009 by the Mississippi Community College Foundation to address the projected need for upper-level leaders in the Mississippi community college system. The academy’s term is a year-long investment that begins in June and ends in May. The program includes workshops to strengthen supervisory and management skills, and participants’ work situations are used to hone new skills and tools.
Bane is MCC’s director of workforce development, and Huggins is a biological science instructor. Both are also graduates of the MCC Foundation’s Eagles Leadership Convocation, known as E.L.C.
MCCLA gave participants a closer look at the state’s community college system as well as offering opportunities to meet and learn from peers across Mississippi.
Huggins said the academy helped her see that leadership can happen in many places, including classrooms, offices, hallways, and community spaces. She said she also learned to think more about mentorship, communication, and building relationships with students.
“I hope to use what I learned to strengthen student engagement, collaboration, and innovation within MCC,” Huggins said.
Huggins, an MCC alumna, has worked at the College for 15 years. She earned an associate of arts degree in biology and university transfer from MCC, a bachelor of science degree in biology from The University of Southern Mississippi, and a master of science degree in biology from Mississippi College. This summer, she will begin the University of Idaho’s Doctor of Anatomical Sciences Program as a member of its first cohort.
Bane said he wanted to take part in the academy to better understand Mississippi’s community college system and build connections with colleagues from across the state.
“It was really valuable to hear different perspectives on leadership, student engagement and how others handle challenges on their campuses,” Bane noted.
One part of the program that stayed with Bane was a series of books by Howell Garner, a former MCCLA director and retired college president. Bane said Garner’s view of leadership and problem-solving was useful and easy to relate to.
Bane added the academy also stressed the value of relationships and servant leadership.
“Effective leadership is really about supporting, encouraging and empowering the people around you,” he said.
Bane earned a bachelor of business administration degree from Mississippi State University, and has worked at MCC since June 2015.
Both graduates said leadership programs help employees grow and bring new ideas back to campus.
“When colleges invest in leadership development, they are ultimately investing in students, employees and the future of the community,” Huggins added.
To learn more about Meridian Community College, visit meridiancc.edu. To learn more about the Mississippi Community College Leadership Academy, visit mccfms.com/mccla.
