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Copiah-Lincoln Community College’s Adult Education department recently earned top awards from the Mississippi Association of Adult and Community Education (MAACE). Co-Lin Lead Instructor/Mentor Makita Jackson was selected as the JoAnn Tisdale Teacher of the Year, recent graduate Brandon O’Quinn was selected as Student of the Year, and Data Manager Danielle White was selected as Support Staff of the Year.
The awards were presented during the 2024 annual adult education conference at the Sheraton Refuge and Conference Center Flowood. The conference theme was The Greatest Show: Celebrating 90 Years of Adult Literacy in Mississippi.
Jackson began working in the Adult Education department at Co-Lin in 2020 as a Smart Start Instructor and testing proctor. After about a year, she transitioned into the role of general Adult Education instructor. She says the most enjoyable part of the job is the students.
“Getting to know our students and working with them to achieve their goals is very rewarding,” said Jackson. “I feel very honored to have been chosen for the award. I know there are a lot of hardworking and kind instructors in our state, so I’m humbled by this recognition.”
O’Quinn was selected as one of three MAACE students of the year. He began Co-Lin adult education classes in 2022 and graduated with his High School Equivalency diploma in 2023. After graduation, O’Quinn entered and completed the police academy and is currently employed as an officer with the Wesson Police Department.
White began working at the college in 2011 at the Thames Center before moving to the Foundation and Alumni Affairs Office as secretary. She served in this role until 2017 when she moved upstairs in the Mutton Building to the Adult Education department.
“I love working in Adult Education because of the impact we all have on our students and the huge impact they have on us,” said White. “I cried when I received the award! I never thought that I would get an award like this, because I just do my work and continue to learn each day. I am very humbled.”
