MIBEST

About

Hinds Community College offers an innovative workforce training program dedicated to preparing people who need help with foundational skills for careers by mixing career training with additional support for math, writing, and reading inside the classroom. If you have not earned your high school diploma or HSE our MIBEST program can provide you with a clear path towards higher education. Our goal is to:

  • Assist students who need to earn their GED to do so while they are also enrolled in college courses focused on preparing them for a career
  • Help students to earn one or more certifications that helps them get a better job now with a family sustaining wage
  • Allow students to earn college credit that leads to a degree in the future
Student Profiles

DeSharra Stamps

DeSharra Stamps has always understood the big picture, but occasionally the fine details have tripped her up.

Octavius McCollum

Diagnosed with autism at age 2, Octavius lacked credits to earn his high school diploma, but has found a new home in culinary arts.

Andria Smith

She left her high school education undone and it turned into 10 years of struggling. With MIBEST, she knew wasn’t going at it alone.

Wyatt Stringer

Wyatt understands how the world works and wants to build it better through his newfound skills in woodworking. He understood it a little too well in high school, though, and boredom was intense enough to delay his diploma.

Mayra Gomez

Turning her love of numbers into a career in accounting despite coming to the United States from Mexico with her parents when she was already 20.

Classes Begin Every 8 Weeks

Your Personal Navigator

The purpose of the Navigator is to help you succeed in school. They will serve as your main point of contact while you are in the program and help you:

  • Enroll in MIBEST
  • Apply for financial aid (for those who qualify)
  • Apply for an individual Training Account (for those who apply)
  • Apply for MIBEST Scholarships
  • Register for the right courses for the job you want
  • Develop plans for your academic and career goals

Your Personal Career Coach

Your Career Coach will help you get a good paying job once you earn your certificate through the program and will help you with:

  • Resume writing
  • Job search activities
  • Training services
  • Career exploration and counseling
  • Job referrals

Student First Approach

Our student-first approach give participants the skills they need to succeed in school and compete in the workforce by working on technical and basic skills education at the same time while also providing support services to students through a navigator and a job placement coordinator.

Who can participate?

MIBEST is open to anybody who wants to train for a career and needs additional help with Math, Reading and/or Writing. In order to determine if this program applies to you, you will need to take the Career Readiness Certificate and the TABE test. These tests will be administered during a MIBEST Orientation and Registration session.

How do you know if you need help with college math, reading, and writing?

  • If you have not earned your High School Diploma or GED
  • If you have your High School Diploma/GED but it has been a while since you have went to school
  • If you took the COMPASS or ACCUPLACER test and tested into developmental education courses.

If you would like to find out if you qualify for a MIBEST program, contact the MIBEST navigator at the campus you are interested in attending.

What programs are offered?

Construction and Manufacturing
Location: Raymond and Vicksburg

This program prepares students for employment in the hospitality, tourism, and restaurant industry. Students will have the opportunity to earn the ACT Career Readiness Certificate, the NCCER Core Certificate, the Manufacturing Basic Skills Certificate, CPR Certification, and two OSHA certifications. Once the first 16 weeks of coursework is completed, students will be able to specialize in Welding, Industrial Maintenance, Precision Machining, HVAC, Plumbing, and Residential Carpentry.

Hospitality and Tourism
Location: Vicksburg

This program prepares students for employment in the hospitality, tourism, and restaurant industry. Students will have the opportunity to earn entry level skills, the ACT Career Readiness Certificate, and the ServSafe Certification. After the first 16 weeks of coursework, students will be able to specialize their coursework in earning a Career Certificate in Culinary Arts Technology.

Information Technology
Location: Rankin

This program prepares students for employment in the information technology industry. Students will have the opportunity to earn the ACT Career Readiness Certificate, the IC3 Certification, the CompTIA certificate, and other industry specific certifications. After the first 16 weeks of coursework, students will be able to specialize their coursework in earning a Career Certificate in Computer Programming, Networking, or Security.

What does the program cost?

Tuition for MIBEST is the same as any other college course at Hinds Community College. Financial aid and MIBEST scholarships are available to those who qualify. The MIBEST Navigator can help you determine program cost and if you apply for scholarships.

Contact

Lauren Powers
Director of Integrated Pathways
Request More Information

MIBEST Navigators

Jackson
Lasonja Lightfoot
601-987-8150
Rankin
Amanda Reed
601-936-1824
Raymond
Chandra Frazier
601-857-3868
Utica
Alisa Hughes
601-885-7147
Vicksburg-Warren
Vanessa Shiers
601-629-6886