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The Co-Lin Alumni Association recently honored five employees for excellence in teaching, service, and dedication to the college. Recipients from the Wesson Campus were Amber Bowman, Amy Cupit and Abby Rials. The Simpson County Center was represented by Tatiyuana James, and the Natchez Campus was represented by Leigh Anne Mason.
Amy Cupit was named Outstanding Academic Instructor of the Year for the Wesson Campus. Cupit, a mathematics instructor and Co-Lin alumna, received a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics and a Master of Science in mathematics education both from Mississippi State University. She previously taught at Enterprise Attendance Center, Loyd Star Attendance Center, Forest Hill High School and Holmes Community College before joining the Co-Lin faculty. Cupit is an active member of the Mississippi Collegiate Mathematics Association and Friendship Baptist Church. She and her husband, Brad, have two children, Kyle, and his wife Katie, and Karli; and one granddaughter, Ally.
Abby Rials was named Outstanding Career and Technical Instructor of the Year for the Wesson Campus. Rials, a Co-Lin alumna, serves as program director for the Culinary Arts Technology program and has over a decade of experience in the foodservice industry. After Co-Lin, she earned a Bachelor of Applied Science in Culinary Arts from the Mississippi University for Women. She is a member of the Mississippi Hotel and Restaurant Association, the National Restaurant Association and Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. Rials and her husband, Jake, have one daughter, Clary Jean Rials.
Amber Bowman was selected as Outstanding Staff Member of the Year for the Wesson Campus. Bowman, a Co-Lin alumna, received a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Jackson State University and a Master of Science in clinical psychology at Northwestern State University of Louisiana. She previously worked in mental health services with Region 8 Mental Health and as a mental health therapist. She currently works as an academic counselor where she serves as disabilities coordinator, ACT Coordinator, PTK: Eta Omega Co-Advisor, and military service coordinator. She is an active member and staff member of Homeseekers Bible Church and volunteers with Anchored Christian Grief Ministry. She is also a Mississippi Counseling Association member, a National Alliance on Mental Illness Mississippi board member and NAMI Four Rivers steering team member.
Leigh Anne Mason was recognized as Outstanding Faculty/Staff Member for the Natchez Campus. Mason, a Co-Lin alumna, holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Southern Mississippi and two master’s degrees, one in elementary education and one in math education, both from Alcorn State University. She had more than 15 years of experience in K-12 schools before joining Co-Lin as a mathematics instructor. Mason is a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Stanton Baptist Church and Vidalia Women’s Club. She serves on the board of the Natchez Balloon Festival and was a Leadership Natchez graduate in 2024. She has coached several teams to state and regional softball tournaments and the Little League World Series in Delaware, and she was a silver medalist in the Mississippi Senior Pickleball Tournament. She and the late Matt Mason have two children, Ashton and Shelby, and two grandchildren, Emmett and Rett.
Tatiyuana James was named Outstanding Faculty/Staff Member for the Simpson County Center. James, a Co-Lin alumna, holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a certification in management from the University of Southern Mississippi and is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration from USM. She had a career in banking before joining the staff at the Simpson County Center and is currently the business office manager. She is a member of the Society for Collegiate Leadership and Achievement. She and the late John Hall have two children, Braelyn and Madalyn.
Photo order (l-r): Amber Bowman, Amy Cupit Abby Rials, Tatiyuana James, and Leigh Anne Mason.
MageeNews.com is the online news source for Simpson and surrounding counties as well as the State of Mississippi.
