(Clarksdale, Miss.) — Coahoma Community College (CCC) is proud to announce that the President Dr. Valmadge Towner is featured on the January 2026 cover of Delta Business Journal. In the in-depth profile, Dr. Towner shares thoughtful reflections on leadership,
institutional resilience, the role of community colleges in the Mississippi Delta,
and the work being done at CCC to strengthen educational and workforce pathways for
students. Readers can explore the full article online at Delta Business Journal’s website.
The article provides readers with deeper insight into Dr. Towner’s personal commitment to the Mississippi Delta. He shares his lifelong connection to the region, growing up in Marks and Clarksdale, choosing to remain and serve his home community, and focusing on opportunities that uplift students and families.
In the interview, Dr. Towner frames the current economic landscape for higher education as a time of limited resources and budgetary constraints. He explains how CCC has responded to declining state revenues with careful financial planning and cost reductions, while maintaining a robust fund balance to support academic and student services. He notes that adaptability, where staff take on multiple roles as needed and has become part of CCC’s operational culture.
A central theme of the conversation is the importance of relationships and teamwork. Dr. Towner highlights how building strong connections among faculty, staff, community partners, and regional leaders has strengthened the college’s ability to meet challenges and pursue opportunities. He underscores that CCC’s work is not done alone; it reflects the collective effort of many collaborators committed to student success.
Dr. Towner also discusses enrollment trends at CCC, celebrating a notable turnaround with a nearly 20 percent increase this year — the largest growth in the Mississippi community college system. He attributes this success in part to the affordability of CCC’s programs, which cost roughly one-third of a typical four-year college. This accessibility has allowed a wider range of students to pursue credentials that align with their personal and professional goals.
A significant portion of the profile focuses on Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. Dr. Towner emphasizes how programs in fields such as nursing, welding, HVAC, truck driving, culinary arts, electrical technology, and more serve as economic drivers not only equipping students with in-demand skills but also positively impacting families and local employers across the region.
The article provides readers with deeper insight into Dr. Towner’s personal commitment to the Mississippi Delta. He shares his lifelong connection to the region, growing up in Marks and Clarksdale, choosing to remain and serve his home community, and focusing on opportunities that uplift students and families.
To learn more about Dr. Towner’s perspectives and the full Delta Business Journal feature, visit the article online:
https://deltabusinessjournal.com/valmadge-towner/