New Program Helps Mississippi Community College Students Succeed

Hinds Community College's Learning Circle provides dinner, childcare, and other support services to students pursuing associate degrees or career certifications.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 5:47am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A blurred, impressionistic photograph showing the silhouette of a mother and child against a backdrop of a college campus, with soft pools of warm light and color creating an atmospheric, dreamlike scene.A new program at Hinds Community College in Mississippi is helping student-parents balance their education and family responsibilities.Jackson Today

A new program at Hinds Community College in Jackson, Mississippi is offering a range of support services to help community college students, especially parents, succeed in their studies. The Learning Circle provides dinner, childcare, computer lab access, and assistance applying for government aid on Tuesday nights to remove barriers that often prevent adult learners from completing their degrees or certifications.

Why it matters

Mississippi has one of the lowest rates of higher education attainment in the country, with less than 50% of residents aged 25-64 holding a degree or certification. Programs like the Learning Circle aim to increase access to postsecondary education and improve the state's workforce by supporting non-traditional students who face significant challenges in pursuing their academic and career goals.

The details

The Learning Circle program started in January 2026 and currently has 30 students enrolled. It provides dinner and licensed childcare on Tuesday nights so that parents can attend their classes. The program also offers computer lab access, help with financial aid applications, and eligibility screening for government assistance like SNAP benefits, tax credits, and energy assistance. Students enrolled in Hinds Community College's childcare department help watch the children during the Tuesday night sessions.

  • The Learning Circle program launched in January 2026.
  • The program currently has 30 students enrolled.

The players

Hinds Community College

A community college system with six campuses located in rural Jackson, Mississippi.

Tiffany Moore

The dean overseeing the Learning Circle program at Hinds Community College.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“They go to class at 6. We're asking them to come a little early in case they need any help because we do offer a wrap-around service for financial aid. If they need to use the computers, we have the lab open for them as well.”

— Tiffany Moore, Dean, Hinds Community College

“The night programs make them feel like they accomplish their goals. They're working adults, most of the time they're worried about 'who can babysit so I can go back to school?' In the child care area, we do offer tutoring for them as well.”

— Tiffany Moore, Dean, Hinds Community College

What’s next

If the Learning Circle pilot program is successful, Hinds Community College plans to expand it to include all six of its campuses across Mississippi.

The takeaway

Programs like the Learning Circle at Hinds Community College are critical for improving access to higher education and workforce development in states like Mississippi, where attainment rates remain low. By addressing the unique challenges faced by non-traditional students, especially parents, these initiatives can help more residents gain the skills and credentials needed to build successful careers.