RAYMOND – Hinds Community College sophomore Shaniyah McGraw of Braxton was the first student to haul her belongings up the steps of Picket Hall on a steamy August morning. The Hinds basketball cheerleader said she enjoyed working at a daycare during the summer but was happy to return to campus.
“I have been ready to comeback, the 18-year-old radiology student said as she held a green bottle of laundry detergent in front of the red brick residence hall. “The campus just gives you a good life experience.”
Hinds Community College sophomores and resident assistants, from left, Siera Kirkley, 19, of Jackson and Jemiriya Jordan, 19, of Meridian, welcome students to Allen-Dukes-Whitfield Hall with the residence hall’s director, Katrellis Plumpp.
On Hinds’ Raymond and Utica campuses Friday, a steady stream of cars and trucks packed full of bedding, full-length mirrors, Amazon boxes, snacks, clothing and more pulled up to residence halls for fall semester move-in day. Some vehicles held nervous freshman and moms, dads, grandparents and siblings reluctant to say goodbye but excited for their student to begin college. Other cars and trucks brought confident sophomores ready to get settled in and catch up with friends.
Hinds freshman Terrial Owens, 17, and her grandfather Dennis Owens, both of Florence, haul boxes in the heat during Aug. 8 move-in day. Owens, attending Hinds on a tennis scholarship, will live in Picket Hall on the Raymond campus.
Freshman Terrial Owens, 17, attending Hinds on a tennis scholarship, said she was nervous on the 45-minute drive to campus, but her nerves calmed after seeing a childhood friend who had just moved in.
Owens’ grandfather, Dennis Owens of Florence, was helping her with the move. As the pair pulled boxes out of the bed of his white truck, Owens said Terrial’s father had attended Hinds, too.
“She’s excited to come here and play tennis,” the elder Owens said. “She had to decide between several colleges. She won’t be too far away here.”
Hinds Raymond Campus Dean of Students Dr. TJ Walker welcomes students on move-in day for fall semester in Mayo Fieldhouse on Aug. 8, 2025.
At Mayo Fieldhouse, students lined up in the gymnasium to check into housing, get their student ids and settle any outstanding fees before moving into their campus homes for the semester. Dean of Student Services Dr. Tommy “TJ” Walker said 700 to 800 students were scheduled to check in Friday on the Raymond campus – many of them new students and athletes. Existing students would do the same on Saturday. The campus houses about 1,200 students.
“It’s been going great,” said Dr. Dominique Simmons, Hinds District Director of Housing and Residence Life. “We started centralizing moving in last summer. It’s made it much smoother.”
Hinds Community College baseball players and sophomores, from left, Ryder Molea, 18, of St. Amant, Louisiana, and Tanner Alhinai, 19, of McComb, with their friend Adelyn McGraw of Magnolia, register at Mayo Fieldhouse during move-in day on Aug. 8, 2025.
Hinds sophomore baseball shortstop Ryder Molea, 18, of St. Amant, Louisiana, said he’s excited to return for a second year. “I’m more comfortable being here this year. I know what to expect,” Molea said as he stood in line to get a new id.
Hinds Dean of Student Services for the Rankin Campus Andrew Gunn helps students move into Raymond Campus’ Allen-Dukes-Whitfield Hall for the fall semester on Aug. 8, 2025. Gunn’s advice to students: Don’t try to do it all in one day and ‘let mommas and daddies help.’
Rankin Campus Dean of Students Andrew Gunn was assisting families during move-in at Allen Dukes Whitaker Hall. As he held a full-length mirror in one hand and a bed topper in the other, Gunn offered some sage advice to students.
“It’s a big step but it doesn’t have to be a hard step,” Gunn said. “Don’t try to do it all in one day and let mommies and daddies help.”
Hinds freshman honors Kylie Smith, 18, of Jackson, gets help moving into Allen-Dukes-Whitfield from her family. Her mom and brother attended Hinds, too.
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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.