Hinds CC enrollment up as students begin fall class

by Karin Meadows

Please Note: Please use this version if you plan to post or print. There are two incorrect numbers on the original version you received. In the third paragraph, 2023 should be 2024 and 7,202 should be 7,505. Thanks so much.

Raymond, MS (08/13/2025) — Greta Nalker's first day at Hinds Community College was also her first day ever to attend school with other students. The 18-year-old Raymond freshman was home schooled for 12 years.

"This is my first day in a classroom in my life," Nalker said as she stood in a Beemon Hall corridor talking with friends in between classes on Monday. "There are a lot of people."

Preliminary Hinds data shows fall enrollment has rebounded after several years of stagnant numbers during the pandemic. The number of students is up about 11 percent over fall of 2024, from 7,505 to 8,412 students, great news for the college. Hinds President Dr. Stephen Vacik said residence halls are at capacity for the first time since pre-COVID.

"Yes, good things are happening," Dr. Vacik said in his weekly message to faculty and staff.

On this steamy August morning, anxious freshman, some with maps in hand, asked for directions as they hunted for buildings, classrooms, stairs and restrooms. More relaxed sophomores reunited in the mostly shady, bricked courtyard outside McLendon Library.

Students stood in line at Cones-N-Cups to buy some liquid caffeine or a cold smoothie and enjoyed fruit-flavored freezer pops handed out by Morrison Heights College Ministry.

Freshmen Aiden Melina, 18, of Monroe, La., and Andrew Graves, 18, of Clinton, walked out of Beemon Hall together discussing what they learned in their first biology class. Even though Melina is a Hinds baseball player and Graves is baseball team manager, the pair had just met.

"It's definitely different," Melina said. "We're having to make new friends."

On the other side of the courtyard near the steps below Chick-fil-A, sophomore Ke'marion Anderson, 19, of Tchula, said he loved being back at school. He is working toward an HVAC certification and designs clothes in his free time. "I love class," Anderson said, adding that he has been getting "mentally prepared for school."

Nearby, Tommy Louie, 20, of Jackson, was performing an outdoor photo shoot of students wearing designs Anderson created - including a pair of light blue, knee length, frayed denim shorts sprinkled with rhinestones. Louie, working toward an HVAC certification and an associate of arts degree, wore a T-shirt bearing the name of Anderson's brand - RichSyko, pronounced like psycho.

"We just wanted to create our own style," said sophomore Jaydon Butler, 19, of Natchez, who was posing for Louie in front of a backdrop in the sparkly denim shorts.

Hinds freshman football player Shiloh Johnson,18, of Starkville, was wearing a T-shirt with an image he designed and his own version of denim shorts with rhinestones. He's studying business management and hopes to become an entrepreneur someday.

"I like it already here," Johnson said.

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.

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