Dr. Carmen J. Walters has been named vice president of the Jackson County Campus of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. She assumed the position on October 15.
“MGCCC is an outstanding institution, and Jackson County is a great place to live and work,” Walters said. “I look forward to making a positive contribution to the college and the community.”
She said that her goal is to support the strategic initiatives outlined in Strategic Plan 2020 for the college and the Jackson County Campus. “I want to increase enrollment and forge strong relationships with the high schools in the county,” she said. “I also want to expand on the already-incredible Estuarine Education Center and make it a premier center not only in the state but in the Southeast.”
Walters, who worked at Delgado Community College in New Orleans for 18 years, has experience in almost every aspect of community college management, from counselor and grant specialist to serving as assistant vice chancellor of human resources, her most recent position. Her years of community college leadership and executive-level experience have made her well-versed in community college business, academic and student affairs, workforce development, policy and procedures, program and curriculum development, faculty and staff development, compliance, conflict resolution, and strategic and facilities planning. She also has an extensive background in teaching accounting, computer literacy and business, and has made numerous presentations at state and national conferences, such as the National Tech Prep Network Annual Conference (2000), Jefferson Workforce 2000 Summit and the Tech Prep Educators Conference (2003).
Walters received her Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and business administration from Southern University in New Orleans in 1984, a Master of Arts degree in postsecondary counseling from Xavier University in New Orleans in 1990 and a doctorate of philosophy in Community College Leadership from Mississippi State University in 2009.
In 2002, she was listed on the list of “People to Watch” by New Orleans Publishing Group, won the Chancellor’s Cabinet Award of Excellence in 2004 and 2005, and the Delgado Community College Dolphin Award in 2003, 2004 and 2005.
“We are excited to have Dr. Walters leading our efforts in Jackson County,” said Dr. Mary S. Graham, MGCCC president. “She has a wealth of experience in higher education and workforce training, which will be great assets to the college, Jackson County and South Mississippi.”
Congratulations !!! Vice President Dr. Carmen J. Walters , I know you will be as dedicated to the mission of Jackson County Campus College as you were to Delgado Community College New Orleans,La. The college has gained a leader who leads by example. I wish you much success in the future in your new position . Kimberly Randolph, New Orleans, La.