General Information
Growth & Development of the College
Northeast Mississippi Community College, located in Booneville, Mississippi, has a distinguished history that reflects the growth and evolution of junior colleges in the state. Our origins date back to the early 20th century when district junior colleges in Mississippi emerged from county agricultural high schools. In 1924, the Mississippi Legislature authorized post-high school courses, and by 1928, ten high schools were offering college-level programs. This burgeoning interest in higher education led to the first junior college law, which enabled the establishment of junior colleges by separate school districts or agricultural high schools that met specific criteria.
The official foundation of Northeast Mississippi Junior College was laid in 1941 with its incorporation in Prentiss County. However, construction was delayed due to World War II, and it wasn’t until September 1948 that the college began welcoming students. Initially serving Alcorn, Prentiss, Tippah, Tishomingo, and Union counties as both an agricultural high school and a junior college, the institution transitioned to focus exclusively on junior college education by the following year, leading to its rebranding as Northeast Mississippi Junior College.
A major milestone was reached on August 1, 1987, when the institution officially became Northeast Mississippi Community College. This change, initiated by the State Board of Trustees for Community and Junior Colleges and approved by our own Board of Trustees in May 1987 and reaffirmed in July 1987, was aimed at better reflecting the college’s comprehensive curricula and community-centered mission.
Over the decades, the college has seen significant growth and development. In 1965, Northeast established a Department of Career and Technical Education, underscoring its commitment to vocational training. By the 1977-78 academic year, the college began awarding the Associate of Applied Science Degree, further expanding its academic offerings.
In 1994, the college took a significant step by establishing a Skill/Tech Center as part of Mississippi’s workforce education initiative, catering to the needs of the regional workforce and employers. The fall of 2000 marked another transformative moment with the college’s entry into online education through the Mississippi Virtual Community College (MSVCC), a consortium of 15 colleges. In 2002, MSVCC and its members were accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), allowing students to earn associate degrees online.
In August 2003, the Board of Trustees approved the development of instructional centers in Corinth and New Albany. Northeast at Corinth opened on a limited basis in August 2006, with Phase I construction completed in July 2006, including a WIN Job Center. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools approved the full development of the New Albany site in February 2007, and Phase II construction at the Corinth site, which included additional classrooms, a science laboratory, and a library, was completed in January 2009 and approved by SACS in August 2009.
The college continued to enhance its facilities and programs in the following years. In 2012, the Student Services Building, T. Jack Ramsey Hall, was opened to better support students. In 2014, a new football fieldhouse was constructed, expanding our athletic facilities. The Health and Nutrition Kitchen opened in 2015, funded by a Blue Cross/Blue Shield grant, which also supported the renovation of the Burgess Fitness Center, now available free to students and employees.
The college further expanded in 2018 with the addition of Gayle Davis Hall for the diesel mechanics program and the opening of the Student Success Center. The year 2020 saw the completion of a new softball/baseball complex, and in 2021, the Ripley off-campus site was added, receiving SACSCOC approval. Additionally, the total renovation of Stringer Hall relocated the bookstore and eLearning services to the building, now named Cartwright Hall.
Bonner Arnold Coliseum underwent extensive remodeling over several years, adding a concession stand, new bathrooms, dressing rooms, workout rooms, offices, and a new floor for the basketball courts. During the COVID-19 pandemic, outdoor classrooms were introduced to support flexible learning environments. MODT grants provided for new sidewalks and walking trails around campus, enhancing accessibility.
In terms of technology, the student information system (Banner) was transitioned to cloud-based services, reflecting our commitment to modern and efficient operations. Our dedication to excellence has been recognized with the Apple Distinguished School designation in both 2019 and 2023.
Today, Northeast Mississippi Community College remains a beacon of higher education in the region, committed to delivering quality education and fostering community development through a diverse array of programs and state-of-the-art facilities.