Growth is major factor in the future of Hinds Community College, and the system of schools is making it a mission to serve students.

“A comprehensive community college is one that serves a lot of different needs,” president Clyde Muse said.

For 39 years, Muse has been the president of Hinds Community College and its six locations in five counties in Mississippi.

“I’ve been enjoying being president at Hinds. I’m beginning my 39th year. We opened our session the other day, and I said I believe I know how to do this convocation,” Muse said.

The community college is the fourth largest institution of higher education in Mississippi, he said, with a total of 19,000 students including high school students who are taking career and technical courses and short-term business training courses. About 12,000 of those students are attending for college credit.

Hinds students can attend class at any of the campus locations. Muse said the school was founded to offer courses that were affordable and close to home.

“And that’s what we continue to try to do,” Muse said.

Locally, there are 3,000 students at the Vicksburg-Warren Campus. He said this campus is larger than some other community colleges’ total enrollment.

“Your community college continues to grow and develop,” Muse said. “In fact, the fastest growing unit of the college now is this unit here in Vicksburg. It is growing by leaps and bounds. In fact, we’ve run out of space.”

He said the college has been in contact with the community and the Warren County Board of Supervisors about the need for another building on the campus. A deed for a $10 million building of classrooms and labs has been presented to the supervisors. At this time there is no need for additional property, but he said eventually the school would look at expanding its location.

In addition to facilities, Muse said Hinds is constantly working to modernize the school’s curriculum to keep up with an ever-evolving workforce. A one-year welding certification program has been added to the roster, which he said offers classes at all times of day and night to accommodate students looking to fill a multitude of welding job openings in Louisiana.

“I never did think I’d see somebody line up to go to school at midnight, and that’s what’s happening. The classes are full,” Muse said.