Tiger Talk Podcast by Northeast Mississippi Community College · Michael H. Miller, Northeast Mississippi Community College, Liz Calvery

TigerTalk 375 11/26/2025

November 26, 2025·12 min·1 clip

A first-year community college instructor with a BS degree makes $39,104, while a K-12 beginner makes $41,500.

The episode begins with hosts Dr. Ricky Ford and Liz Calvary introducing the topic of legislative priorities for Mississippi community colleges. Ford explains that each June, community college presidents gather at a legislative conference to evaluate system-wide needs, with infrastructure and salary improvements being key focuses. The top priority is a 6% salary increase for all community college employees, costing $28 million across 15 colleges, aimed at making wages competitive with K-12 and IHL levels. Ford highlights a salary disparity where a first-year community college instructor with a BS degree earns $39,104 compared to $41,500 for a K-12 beginner, which hampers recruitment. The second priority is $28.5 million for basic operational costs like insurance and fuel. Third, a $5 million increase for the Career Tech Advantage Program to fund new equipment and programs for workforce development. Fourth, a $150 million request for capital improvements and renovations, with Northeast's share estimated at $6-8 million for aging buildings like Seth Pound's Auditorium. The total legislative request for FY27 is $211.5 million. The conversation then shifts to campus news, including Thanksgiving break, basketball games against Lawson State, and an Associate Degree Nursing Job Fair. Upcoming events are listed, such as an Impact Leadership Luncheon Scholarship on December 3rd, a volleyball banquet, and graduation on December 11th with about 150 participants. Ford mentions the Northeast at Ripley program offering college algebra and a Tiger Apprenticeship signing day with 30 apprentices. A visit to Northrop Grumman in Palmdale, California, resulted in donated equipment for the campus. Reminders are given for the 2026 Jeffrey Powell Mobile Learning Conference on June 8th-9th, focusing on technology and AI in education. The adult education program is noted for having over 50 students earn high school equivalency diplomas. A new Creating Community Resources webpage is introduced to help students find local support services. Ford encourages community input to list organizations offering food banks, mental health services, and other aids. The episode ends with Thanksgiving wishes and contact information for the college.

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