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NATCHEZ – Copiah-Lincoln Community College’s Natchez Campus is proud to announce a new partnership with Mississippi Action for Progress, Inc. (MAP) through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will connect Early Childhood Education students with hands-on internship opportunities in the Natchez area.

This partnership with MAP’s Head Start program will allow Co-Lin students to complete online coursework within the Early Childhood Education program and gain vital in-person experience, equipping them with the skills and training needed to thrive in their future careers.

The Head Start program, managed by MAP, is renowned for its positive impact on child development and early learning. By providing essential services in education, health, and family engagement, Head Start offers a comprehensive approach to supporting children and families in Mississippi. Through this new MOU, Co-Lin students will benefit from internships where they can develop practical skills under the mentorship of experienced professionals within MAP’s programs, bridging the gap between online learning and real-world practice.

Dr. Carrie Ford Campbell, District Manager West at MAP, highlighted the significance of this partnership.

“By partnering together, Mississippi Action for Progress, Inc. Head Start/Early Head Start and Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Natchez, will provide students an opportunity to complete their student teaching onsite at the Thompson Head Start Center in Natchez,” said Dr. Campbell. “This collaboration strengthens our Head Start program’s ability to help students and children thrive and supports families in building an educational and economically mobile future.”

Co-Lin Early Childhood Education Program Coordinator Felisha Hampton expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration.

“This partnership is invaluable for our students,” Hampton said. “Head Start’s mission aligns seamlessly with our goal of preparing future educators who are both knowledgeable and compassionate. By gaining experience in Head Start classrooms, our students will be well-prepared to support the growth and development of young learners.”

Tiffany Woods, a Natchez native and Director of Career-Technical Education at the Natchez Campus, served as one of the composers of the MOU.

“With this collaboration, we’re giving our students a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in an environment that focuses on early childhood development, a critical stage in education,” said Woods. “We look forward to seeing the positive impact this will have not only on our students but on the community as a whole.”

For more information on Co-Lin’s Early Childhood Education program, visit https://www.colin.edu/programs-of-study/career-technical/human-sciences/early-childhood-education-w/.