Dr. Anika Floyd began her tenure as the new vice president of Copiah-Lincoln Community College Simpson Center on June 1, after accepting the position this past April.
She took over when Dr. Dewayne Middleton left to begin his new post as executive vice president on Co-Lin’s main campus in Wesson.
She vacates the position of director of Student Services, which she says is difficult as her main love is assisting students. However, Dr. Floyd recognizes that serving in this new capacity will allow her the opportunity to brainstorm, create and hopefully offer more programs to better serve the students and residents of Simpson County and the surrounding areas. She says she is excited at the prospect to present these ideas to her superiors on the Wesson Campus.
Even before applying for the position Dr. Floyd said she did what she always does before a big decision: she goes to the Lord in prayer. She stated, “I love what I do; I love working closely with the students. I love being able to go into the community.” In the end she applied realizing that whether she got the position or not, she wins. “Whether I stay in my same position doing what I love or am vice president, I win.” Co-Lin will always be her Promised Land this side of heaven, she said. “This may be an opportunity to expand and do a little bit more…to move out of my current element to work with a different group of individuals that will allow me to impact the community and lives on an even greater scale,” Dr. Floyd explained.
Co-Lin Simpson Center already has several programs in place that Dr. Floyd wants to enhance and expand. “This new position will allow me to implement some things, try a few things different, attract people to the campus, and create awareness for the campus.”
She patterned some of her ideas after other colleges’ procedures, especially marketing Co-Lin to the community at large. The first Super Saturday scheduled for June 25, 10 a.m. to 12 noon will offer an opportunity for anyone to visit and speak with staff members about how Co-Lin can better serve them. “I always reflect back on a sermon that Pastor (Darnell) Moffett preached about doing our part. We just have to do our part and they will come. May not be a herd all at once but it’s just like coming to Christ – if I could just reach one. If I could help one then I think Super Saturday will catch on. I just have to do my part.”
While trying to develop different promotions and strategies to target and inform the community of all Co-Lin Simpson Center has to offer, Dr. Floyd also wants to use the resources at her disposal to the best of her ability. She wants to be a good steward. As an example she has coined the phrase “Next Level” to target those who may already be employed but seeking to further their career. Using the Nursing Program as an example Dr. Floyd explained. “If you are ready to go the next level whether CNA to LPN, or LPN to RN, we can help!”
Dr. Floyd has many things on her proverbial plate that involve students and the community, developing relationships with businesses in the community, partnering with organizations and agencies to assist students from their early days at Co-Lin to graduation. A strong relationship already exists with the Simpson County School District and she is already in conversations to expand programs and availability. “I’m excited about the consolidation personally not just for Co-Lin but I think it’s going to be great for the community.”
She also plans to reach out to area faith based organizations. “Before the end of the summer I plan to invite churches, pastors and their secretaries to the campus with a twofold purpose – to get the word out to their congregations and to see how Co-Lin can better serve their members. We don’t want to just be takers we want to serve.”
Dr. Floyd has short term goals but hopes once she is in the job for a time to develop long term goals to fit the Simpson County Campus.
She will fulfill duties of both the vice president and director of Student Services until the latter is hired and begins employment. Dr. Floyd is also in the process of developing an administrative team and believes it and advanced planning will assist in a smooth transition. In addition she will use July to orient new staff and her administrative team. “Right now I should be thinking about January, but I can’t. I’m thinking about right now, today. By August, we’ll be at a good point…We won’t be where we need to be but we’ll be at a good point to have a great start to the semester. That’s my goal.” In person classes begin Monday, August 15.
