Media Advisory: Hinds CC to break ground on Rankin Campus 'The Commons' today
Residence hall, dining facility, wellness center to accommodate coming spike in health services students
Pearl, MS (03/16/2026) — Hinds Community College takes another step forward in the expansion of its Rankin Campus with the addition of The Commons, which will have a residence hall, dining facility and wellness center and allow for the potential future addition of a college volleyball program.
A groundbreaking ceremony for The Commons is today, March 16, at 11:30 a.m. at the HInds Rankin Campus, 3805 Highway 80 in Pearl. Media representatives who plan to attend are asked to RSVP to karin.meadows@hindscc.edu.
Hinds President Dr. Stephen Vacik as well as local Pearl and Rankin County officials will speak.
The Commons, along with a new Health Sciences Complex slated to open in the fall, will transform the student experience on the Rankin Campus.
The three-story residence hall will include a contemporary, student-centered 175-bed residence and food-court style dining hall including a national restaurant option that will be open to the public. It will also have a health center and gymnasium bordering Highway 80 in Pearl. The gymnasium will allow for the potential addition of a college competitive volleyball program down the road.
The new, four-story, 160,000-square-foot Health Sciences Complex facility will consolidate most of Hinds' nursing and allied health programs into one location. The expansion of health sciences training capacity at Hinds will allow the school to welcome an additional 480 students over the next three years, including 232 seats in traditional degree programs and 248 in short-term workforce training programs. The goal of the expansion -- supported by state dollars -- is to create additional pathways for Mississippians to enter critical healthcare careers with dire shortages, including Associate Degree Nursing, Practical Nursing, Health Care Assistant, Dental Assisting, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Emergency Medical Services, Physical Therapist Assistant, Respiratory Care Technology, Radiologic Technology, and Surgical Technology.
A key feature of the project is the development of a state-of-the-art stimulation center designed to replicate real-world clinical environments and enhance hands-on training. The facility will also include four new nursing skills labs equipped with hospital-grade infrastructure, advanced audiovisual technology for simulation review, and 48 hospital beds with headwall units that mirror acute-care settings.
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.
Hinds Community College
Karin Meadows 240-888-8359 karin.meadows@hindscc.eduShare this Story
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