New president at EMCC

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- East Mississippi Community College’s new president has a vision for the future.

It involves getting people jobs, helping students graduate from college, and helping the community.

Dr. Scott Alsobrooks is making the rounds at the community college he now leads.

Coming to EMCC is an exciting move for the south Mississippi native.

“The people are just, you know, what makes it good. And uh, that’s a marvelous asset to have and we’ll get to work, and find students that are ready the you know get enrolled, and get into a program. And learn and go to work,” said Alsobrooks.

The first generation college graduate believes building ties to areas industries is critical to the Mayhew campus and the Golden Triangle.

Alsobrooks hope’s EMCC partnership in the Communiversity will help businesses find an educated workforce to grow the state’s economy.

“Our goal is to put the proper programs in there that match up with the local industries, there’s gonna be a pipeline for them. You know, to produce students that are prepared for entry-level jobs, and-and that’s our goal to get people in there and get em training,”said Alsobrooks.

Knowing state funding will be a challenge in the coming years, he believes when more people find jobs, those numbers will improve.

“We’re gonna have to have some equitable funding, so you know that’s something we’re gonna have to continue to work on and partnering with out legislative members in this area,” said Alsobrooks.

He believes many of the schools programs will help grow student enrollment, which could also financially help both EMCC campuses.

Alsobrooks has spent 15 years in the community college system.

Before taking this job, he was the vice president of workforce and economic development as Pearl River Community College.