Coahoma Community College participated in the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) Summer Learning Lab Intensive training, held July 17–18 in Anaheim, California, where campus leaders collaborated with higher education professionals to strengthen student success through strategic financial planning and institutional innovation.
Hosted by the NACUBO in partnership with Complete College America, the two-day professional development intensive focused on aligning strategic planning, budgeting, technology, and student success initiatives through evidence-based decision-making. Participants engaged in workshops, data analysis, and collaborative planning sessions designed to produce implementation roadmaps for their institutions.
Representing Coahoma Community College were Loria Barfield, Enrollment Manager; Dorothy Smith-Conley, Chief Financial Officer; and LaMica McMillon, Head of Digital Transformation and Chief Information Officer. Throughout the intensive, the team worked alongside higher education leaders from across the country to develop strategies that strengthen institutional effectiveness, improve operational performance, and support long-term student success.
The Coahoma Community College team centered its work on aligning institutional software applications and technology systems with the College's Strategic Plan. The initiative emphasizes greater system integration, improved data sharing, streamlined business processes, and technology investments that support enrollment growth, student retention, operational efficiency, and student achievement.
"Our goal is to ensure that technological investments directly support student success while maximizing institutional resources," Barfield said. "By evaluating our current systems and identifying opportunities for greater integration, we can improve communication, enhance decision-making, and provide more seamless services for our students."
Smith-Conley said the experience reinforced the connection between financial stewardship and institutional success.
"Participating in the NACUBO Summer Learning Lab reinforces the critical connection between financial planning and student success," Smith-Conley said. "Every investment we make should advance our mission, strengthen institutional sustainability, and ensure that resources are aligned to support student achievement."
McMillon said technology plays a vital role in creating a stronger student experience.
"Innovation is most impactful when technology, data, and people work together," McMillon said. "By improving system integration and leveraging technology more strategically, we can create more efficient processes, enhance communication across campus, and provide our students with the timely support they need to succeed."
During the intensive, participants used the NACUBO Student Success Hub and their institutional Accelerator Action Plans to examine campus priorities through a strategic finance lens, identify opportunities to better align resources, and develop measurable implementation strategies.
The experience will provide the College with practical tools and a 30-, 60-, and 90-day implementation roadmap that campus leaders can use to advance continuous improvement efforts and support student achievement.
About Coahoma Community College
Founded in 1949, Coahoma Community College is a public, comprehensive, historically Black community college serving the heart of the Mississippi Delta. Coahoma offers Associate of Arts degrees, Associate of Applied Science degrees, and specialized certificates across dozens of diverse academic and career pathways. Located on a 99-acre campus in Clarksdale, Mississippi, the College is celebrating 77 years of academic excellence. In addition to its affordable tuition and generous scholarship opportunities, Coahoma has earned widespread recognition in nursing and health sciences, career-technical education, and university transfer programs. Outside of the classroom, students are involved in competitive NJCAA athletics as well as a variety of organizations and clubs, including student government, the celebrated college choir, and the renowned Marching Maroon Typhoon Band.