From Campus to Classroom: Stories That Shape Education
- The HBCU Brilliance Initiative, led by Christina Alexis, provides leadership development, technical assistance, and strategic investment to advance HBCUs.
- Coahoma Community College leaders, including Dr. Valmadge T. Towner and Letha Richards, showcased institutional progress and an infrastructure project to improve campus facilities.
- A cross-campus cohort and staff participation reinforced strategic planning, organizational capacity, and student success, with the Reinvestment Fund supporting implementation efforts.
Coahoma Community College was recognized during the HBCU Brilliance Initiative Graduation Ceremony held onJuly 18, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia, after being selected as one of only 11 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to receive a $40,000 grant through the HBCU Brilliance Initiative Reinvestment Fund.
The initiative was spearheaded by Christina Alexis, who leads comprehensive programs dedicated to advancing HBCUs nationwide. Through leadership development, technical assistance, and strategic investment, the initiative equips participating institutions with resources that promote institutional transformation and expand opportunities for student achievement.
The HBCU Brilliance Initiative Graduation celebrated institutions that successfully completed the program while advancing innovative strategies to strengthen campus infrastructure, student success, and long-term institutional sustainability. Coahoma Community College’s selection reflects its commitment to strategic planning, collaboration, and continuous improvement in support of its students and the communities it serves.
Representing the institution, Dr. Valmadge T. Towner, President of Coahoma Community College, and Ms. Letha Richards, Chief of Staff, delivered presentations highlighting the institution’s progress throughout the initiative. Dr. Towner provided a compelling overview of the College’s mission and institutional vision, emphasizing Coahoma’s commitment to expanding educational opportunities and strengthening outcomes for students across the Mississippi Delta. Ms. Richards presented the College’s Infrastructure Project, outlining a plan for water shut-off valves and developmental efforts designed to improve the campus and promote student success. Together, their presentations showcased key lessons learned through the HBCU Brilliance Initiative and demonstrated how the experience has strengthened Coahoma Community College’s strategic planning efforts, positioning the institution to better serve current and future generations of students.
The College’s participation in the HBCU Brilliance Initiative was also led by a dedicated cohort of institutional leaders, chosen by Dr. Towner, to collaborate and ensure that the strategic vision of the college ensued throughout the program. The cohort included Letha Richards, Chief of Staff; Dr. Gwendolyn Johnson, Director of Federal and Sponsored Programs; Karen Done, Director of Student Engagement; Dorothy Conley, Chief Financial Officer. As of result of their planning and meeting the program requirements, the initiative was successful. The team worked collectively to examine institutional priorities, explore innovative solutions, and develop strategies to strengthen organizational capacity, enhance student success, and support Coahoma Community College’s long-term strategic goals.
Joining the team at the HBCU Brilliance Initiative in Atlanta, Georgia were Dr. Tony Newson, Career and Technical Education Coordinator; Tuana Hawkins, Federal Programs Assistant; and Patrick Ray whose attendance reflected the college’s broad institutional commitment to the HBCU Brilliance Initiative. Their participation underscored the collaborative spirit that has characterized the initiative and reinforced Coahoma Community College’s shared dedication to advancing student achievement, expanding educational opportunities, and fostering institutional excellence.
The Reinvestment Fund award will further support the institution’s efforts to implement initiatives that strengthen institutional capacity, enhance educational opportunities, and advance its mission of providing accessible, high-quality education for the Mississippi Delta region.
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.
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