RAYMOND – Seven instructors from Hinds Community College Vicksburg-Warren Campus earned credentials from the college during the spring and summer semesters.

Those instructors include:

• Kody Britt, of Vicksburg, an instructor of Precision Machine Tool technology, who earned an Associate in Applied Science in the field and graduated magna cum laude
• Craig Davis, of Raymond, an instructor of electrical technology, who earned an Associate in Applied Science in the field
• Tabatha Lelonek, of Vicksburg, a receptionist at the Vicksburg WIN Job Center housed on campus, who earned an associate in arts in business and office technology and graduated magna cum laude
• Ricky Nelson, of Utica, a welding instructor, who earned an associate in applied science in the field
• Scott Welch, of Edwards, an industrial mechanics and maintenance instructor, who earned an associate in applied science in the field and graduated magna cum laude
• Angela Wilkinson, of Vicksburg, an administrative assistant, who earned an associate in applied science in criminal justice and graduated cum laude
• Joseph Wisnoski, of Clinton, a law and public safety instructor, who earned an associate in applied science in criminal justice and graduated cum laude

For Kody Britt, it meant coming to Hinds for the second time, as he was a student in the program in 2016.

“You can never have enough certificates and degrees, especially when you’re teaching at both the secondary and post-secondary levels, Britt said.

As is the case with many adult students at Hinds, Davis had returned to school to further his education and professional resume. He also been able to teach what he had done professionally for 20 years.

“It has been a great experience, coming to school being more mature and knowing what I want in life,” Davis said.

Welch took a similar road back to school after working in the field for years, then teaching in the emergent Industrial Mechanics and Maintenance field.

“I had started as a student at Hinds in 1974,” he said. “When I became an instructor for Hinds Community College I determined it to be a great opportunity to finish my associate degree. Here I am, 46 years after beginning this journey, and now it is complete.”

Lelonek began at Hinds in 2017 as an adult education student as she rebuilt her life through turbulent personal struggles — first a serious car accident, then drug addiction. She became a student-worker in 2019 and is now a full-time employee.

“I love my Hinds family, and that’s what it truly is here on the Vicksburg campus, a family,” Lelonek said.

Wilkinson’s credential made two in less than two years after returning to school after more than 30 years in 2018 to knock out her core academic courses.

“I am looking into pursuing a bachelor’s degree in emergency management,” Wilkinson said.