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Holmes awards degree through Complete2Compete initiative
Holmes Community College awarded Marsha Credit of Jackson an Associate of Arts degree through the Complete2Compete (C2C) program. Credit is the first Holmes student to receive a degree through C2C since the program's launch in August. Credit completed her program of study in elementary education on the Ridgeland Campus.
C2C is designed to assist adult learners (21 years of age or older) in Mississippi who have completed some college credit but did not graduate to return to college and complete the remaining requirements necessary to earn their degree. Completing an application through the Mississippi C2C website will allow interested candidates to determine how close they are to completing their degree.
"I received an email about the program that included Holmes Trek Coordinator Vic Parker's information so I reached out to him," Credit said. "He was so excited that I did, and I truly appreciate all of his help. I've already recommended the Complete2Compete program to a few friends because of how it helped me reach my goal and get my degree."
Credit, 44, will attend Jackson State University in the spring of 2018 to continue working toward her bachelor degree in elementary education. From Natchez originally, she taught second grade at Emmanuel Christian School, a private academy operated by her uncle.
"When I taught years ago, a degree was not required at that school, but that is not the case anymore, so I knew I needed my degree," Credit said. "I am so excited to finally complete my degree at Holmes and can't wait to continue my studies at JSU."
Credit has three daughters ages 13, 20 and 23, and she has been an active member of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) for a number of years. She now even serves as PTA president.
"I love my children and love teaching and mentoring other children," Credit said. "I'm ready to finish my bachelor's degree, too, so I can begin teaching again. I also want to start a tutoring/mentoring program to help those children who do not have all the resources they need to complete their schoolwork. That way, they can have an easier time with school and succeed early on. Trust me, the older you get, the harder it gets to finish that degree!"
Parker, Ridgeland's Trek coordinator and C2C coach, beams as he speaks about Credit's success.
"As a Complete2Compete coach, in my perspective Marsha is exactly the type of adult learner this statewide initiative is designed to assist," said Parker. "Each time we spoke, when I would coach her through enrollment, registration or application processes, I could sense the excitement she had in anticipation of being awarded her degree. When you are able to assist a student in completing their goal and you know it has a deep importance to them, their energy and excitement becomes contagious as you attempt to continue reaching other adult learners."
Holmes President Dr. Jim Haffey had the opportunity to present Credit with her diploma and congratulate her in person.
"I'm so proud of Ms. Credit and it brings me joy to see the Complete 2 Compete program help students achieve their goals," Dr. Haffey said. "As Mr. Parker said, this initiative was designed to help people like her, and I wish her all the best as she continues her studies to become an educator."
Holmes Community College offers a wide range of two-year associate degree programs, certificate programs and occupational skills training with flexible scheduling including day, evening, short-term, hybrid and online classes.
For more information about enrolling at Holmes, visit www.holmescc.edu.
For more information about Holmes C2C and the Trek Center, visit http://holmescc.edu/c2c/.
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IN THIS PHOTO:
Pictured is (center) Marsha Credit of Jackson receiving her diploma from Holmes Community College. Credit is the first student to be awarded a degree through the Complete2Compete (C2C) program at Holmes. Pictured with Credit are (left to right) Ridgeland Trek Coordinator/C2C Coach Vic Parker, Director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness/C2C Leader Stephanie Diffey, Holmes President Dr. Jim Haffey and Goodman/Grenada Trek Coordinator/C2C Coach Jonathan Wright.
