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Holmes Community College representatives attended the 2026 College Public Relations Association of Mississippi (CPRAM) Annual Conference May 18-20 at Northwest Mississippi Community College in Senatobia, earning multiple awards in the community college division for excellence in marketing, communications and public relations.
The annual CPRAM Conference brings together public relations and marketing professionals from two- and four-year colleges and universities across Mississippi for professional development, networking and recognition of outstanding work in communications, advertising, graphic design, social media and media relations.
Holmes attendees included District Director of Communications and Associate Athletic Director for External Relations Steve Diffey, Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Lindy McCain, Alumni Coordinator and Goodman Campus Public Relations Specialist Katherine Ellard, Goodman Recruiter Nikki Boutwell, Grenada Recruiter and Public Relations Specialist Haley DeNoon, Ridgeland Recruiter Amanda Lindsey, Multimedia Specialist Stephanie Wood, Ridgeland Public Relations Specialist and Journalism Instructor Mary Margaret Busby, Graphic Designer Maggie Robinson, and Ridgeland Student Activities Director and Student Support Services Coordinator Jordan Heflin.
Leading the honors for the college, Wood received the Grande Award for for “Media Guide Cover.” The Grande Award is one of the conference’s top overall honors, recognizing the absolute highest level of excellence in design and communications. Wood also won first place in the single piece of artwork sports category for the same entry.
Additionally, Wood partnered with Ellard to earn first place in the newsletter category for “PawPrints Newsletter.” Wood also secured first place in the viewbook/admissions and recruitment piece category for “Holmes At-A-Glance” and took home second-place honors in the advertisement category for “100-Year Ad,” environmental designs/exhibitions for “Coliseum Renovation” and digital art/photo illustration for “You’re A Bulldog – Northpark Mall Video Ad.”
Former Holmes employee Jill Sowell received first place in the single piece of artwork category for “Freshman Friday Marketing.”
Robinson earned first place in the social media sports post category for “Thursday Night Lights are Back” and second place in the social media non-sports account category for the Holmes CC Instagram account.
Busby won first place in the news story category for “Holmes Launches Hotel and Restaurant Management Technology.”
CPRAM recognizes outstanding achievement in public relations, marketing and communications among Mississippi’s community colleges, junior colleges and universities through annual competitions, workshops and professional development opportunities.
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IN THIS PHOTO: Pictured are (front row, left to right) Jordan Heflin, Maggie Robinson, Stephanie Wood, Mary Margaret Busby, Amanda Lindsey, Haley DeNoon, (back row, left to right) Nikki Boutwell, Steve Diffey and Dr. Lindy McCain. Not pictured: Katherine Ellard.
