Delta State University (DSU) and Coahoma Community College (CCC) recently named Jen Waller, a Delta State Alumni and Clarksdale native, as the new director of the Coahoma County Higher Education Center (CCHEC) in Clarksdale.
The CCHEC was designed to enhance the outreach capabilities of Delta State and Coahoma Community College. The partnership between the two institutions will allow the region to expand educational opportunity for the people of Coahoma County, and the surrounding communities, by offering junior and senior level coursework as well as personal enrichment classes. The central location of the CCHEC will give the people of Coahoma County an advantage by giving them an opportunity to increase their education with a minimum of travel. Both institutions want to offer programmatic coursework at the CCHEC that will target high needs within the region. These may include, but are not limited to education and teacher preparation, healthcare, business development and hospitality management. Personal enrichment programs (i.e. non-degree coursework) will include, but are not limited to the culinary arts, performing arts, and mental and physical enrichment opportunities.
“As we expand the work of the Center, we are pleased to have Jen leading and coordinating the efforts of the partners,” said Dr. John M. Hilpert, President of Delta State University. “She is an experienced professional with vision and enthusiasm.”
Waller returns to the Delta after a 10-year stint in Washington, D.C., where she served in a variety of public service roles. For the last 18 months, from January 2009 to October 2010, Waller served at the U.S. Department of Education (DoED) under Secretary Arne Duncan. During the first 10 months, she worked as the Deputy White House Liaison, a role that called on her to assist the White House in the hiring of all new political appointees within the DoED. Then in late November 2009, Waller was tapped to serve as the project manager for the National Teacher Recruitment Campaign, which launched in late September.
Waller received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Delta State University in 1997. She began her career as an educator, teaching at Lee Academy and also in the Clarksdale Municipal School District. In June 2000, Waller moved to Washington, D.C., to work as communications coordinator for the Southern Governors Association (SGA). This position at SGA opened the door to a new career in the political field which included service in the Ronnie Musgrove For Governor gubernatorial campaign in 2003 and then in the Congressional offices of U.S. Representative Marion Berry of Arkansas, United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu of Louisiana, and U.S. Representative Rahm Emanuel of Illinois.
Waller joined the Delta State staff on November 1. The CCHEC is hosting a holiday open house at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 2, at the Cutrer Mansion. The public is invited.
For more information about the CCHEC, contact Waller at 662-645-3555.
