March 31, 2026

Qualified students enrolled in East Mississippi Community College’s Adult Education Launch Pad who want to enroll in select short-term training programs at the college will receive financial assistance thanks to a grant by 2^nd Chance MS that was presented March 31 at the conclusion of a National Adult Education Honor Society induction ceremony on the college’s Golden Triangle campus.

 Zach Scruggs, executive director of 2^nd Chance MS, presented a ceremonial check in the amount of $40,000 to EMCC President Dr. Scott Alsobrooks during the event also attended by Bronwyn Robertson, assistant director for WIOA Compliance for the Mississippi Community College Board’s Office of Adult Education, 2^nd Chance MS Program Director Sarah Lomenick, EMCC Adult Education Director Tshurah Dismuke, and faculty and staff with the college’s Adult Education department.

The grant will be used to fund short-term workforce training for qualified Adult Education students and can be used to help cover the cost of tuition and classroom supplies.

During the event, Scruggs spoke to the Adult Education students and congratulated them on their induction into the honor society.

“The way I look at it, we have the easy job of providing support to adult students who have the courage to go back to school to get the education and training they need to get a stable job,” Scruggs said. “If there is a barrier that can be removed that is otherwise keeping these hardworking students from getting where they need to go, then we are always glad to help.”

Located in Oxford, 2^nd Chance MS is a nonprofit organization devoted to promoting and funding initiatives related to adult education and workforce training.

“I want to congratulate you and I want you to think about what that next step is going to be because this is a journey,” Alsobrooks told the inductees. “It is not a sprint. It is a marathon. There are a lot of steps on this ladder that you can take and most of those next steps can be taken right here at East Mississippi Community College.

“I also want to thank Zach Scruggs and 2^nd Chance Mississippi for their help with this program. Without this funding, it would be more complicated for us to help these students get what they need to stay in school and earn the credentials they need to get where they want to go.”

Twelve students were inducted into the National Adult Education Honor Society during the event held in the private dining room in the student union. Chosen by Adult Education staff and instructors, the students honored demonstrated a willingness to attend class regularly, work harmoniously with teachers and fellow students, complete homework assignments and come to class prepared.

The inductees are Marlena Brown, Renette Brown, Patricia Byrd, Emmett Calmes, Brittany Ettinger, Sylvester Harris, Kaparche Johnson, Jakiyah Kelley, Eli Loredo, Delilah Lowery, Courtney Mast and Melissa Williams. Each student was presented with a lapel pin and a NAEHS certificate. They will also receive a letter of recommendation for employment and another letter of recommendation for financial assistance.

“This occasion represents not only academic success, but commitment, resilience and the pursuit of excellence,” Dismuke said. “To our inductees, this recognition is well deserved and we are proud of each of you.”

The guest speaker for the induction was Trinity Smith, an EMCC Adult Education graduate and NAEHS inductee who is now enrolled in the college’s Surgical Technology program. Smith told the inductees she was offered encouragement she needed to succeed by Adult Education faculty and staff.

“Our dreams may have been delayed but most certainly not denied,” Smith said. “Everything is possible with the right attitude and willingness to learn.”

Robertson praised the Adult Education faculty and staff and congratulated the inductees.

“They go out of their way to help their students,” Robertson said of the Adult Education employees. “Through this partnership with 2^nd Chance alone, they are going out of their way to provide resources and services for you to continue your journey. Congratulations to you.”

EMCC and 2^nd Chance of MS have partnered on projects since 2019, when EMCC received a $50,000 check from 2nd Chance MS to support the Adult Education SOAR Program, which is focused on helping High School Equivalency students succeed by mitigating barriers to their success. The students are provided help with things like transportation and meals, and they are provided tangible work skills and a National Career-Readiness Certificate through the ACT WorkKeys.

In 2023, 2^nd Chance MS presented EMCC’s Adult Education department a $10,000 grant to implement the “Launching our Services to You” program, in which Adult Education employees host events in the communities the college serves to provide information about available services.

“I would like to thank Tshurah and all the Adult Education faculty for all they do,” Alsobrooks said. “They do a great job helping the students they serve. Hopefully, we will be able to get some of those students to stay at EMCC and enroll in another one of our programs so we can help them achieve more educational goals.”

The Adult Education Launch Pad at EMCC has locations at the college’s Golden Triangle and Scooba campuses, as well as in Columbus, Macon, Starkville and West Point. To learn more about available services, click on the Adult Basic Education tab on EMCC’s website at www.eastms.edu or call 662.243.1985.