By Nancy Patterson

For The Observer

Representatives from industry and faculty from Northwest Mississippi Community College’s Career and Technical Division on the Senatobia campus met Oct. 15 for the Joint Advisory Committee Meeting. 

This event pairs business and industry representataives with faculty members from corresponding programs in an effort to provide the best in education for Northwest students.

Speaking to the group of more than 100 in the Haraway Conference Center were Jim Flanagan, president/CEO, DeSoto County Economic Development Council, and Brent Warren, sales engineer for Jeffreys Manufacturing Solutions and a Northwest alumnus.

Northwest President, Dr. Gary Lee Spears, welcomed the Advisory Committee members and faculty.

“I want to thank the Advisory Committee members for their service to the college—for your service to our faculty which is passed down to our students,” he said.

Flanagan described the efforts of the DeSoto Council and the process it goes through in recruiting industrial prospects.  He expressed appreciation to the college for “providing skills needed for a trained workforce.” He also credited the college’s Workforce Development program with making his recruiting efforts easier by their response to the needs of those prospects.

Warren, a product of Northwest’s Tool and Die Technology program, reported on his Northwest experience. After completing his associate of applied science degree at Northwest,

Warren held positions with Smith and Nephew and is now in his current job with Jeffreys. He serves on several advisory committees in the West Tennessee service area.

“My message to the advisory committee is to be the eyes and ears in industry for these Northwest faculty members,” he said. “Industry is ever-changing and evolving. They (faculty) depend on you for this input to pass on the latest technology and information to the students.”

According to Doug Freeze, Career and Technical counselor, the major function of the Advisory Committee is to provide the communication link between the program area and the community, business and industry by advising and assisting in planning, implementing and evaluating the program.

After the guest speakers addressed the group, the Advisory Council members met with individual faculty for the program they represent.

For more information about Northwest’s Career and Technical offerings, contact the Dean’s Office on the Senatobia campus at (662) 562-3361.