JACKSON, Miss. — June 29, 2026 – AccelerateMS is proud to recognize four outstanding educators as the inaugural recipients of the Career Coach Catalyst Award: Iris Andrews of Northeast Jones High School, Lorene Haymer of Holmes County Central High School, Keyshon Hinton of Richton High School, and Karen Walden of Falkner High School. The award […]
JACKSON, Miss. June 15, 2026 – Major industrial investments across Mississippi require a larger pipeline of skilled workers prepared for high-demand technical careers. Building that pipeline begins in high school. To help meet growing workforce demands, Mississippi is strengthening career and technical education programs at 25 high schools and school districts statewide, equipping students with the skills and credentials […]
Workforce professionals, career coaches, educators and community leaders from across Mississippi gathered for two days of collaboration, professional development and strategic planning during Catalyst 2026. Hosted in partnership with GEAR UP Mississippi and the Research and Curriculum Unit (RCU) at Mississippi State University, the conference provided attendees with opportunities to learn from industry experts, explore […]
WorkFuture Institute to provide support, assist with strategy for Mississippi Postsecondary Attainment Council JACKSON, Miss. – June 5, 2026 — The Mississippi Business Alliance (MSBA) Foundation has entered into a formal partnership with AccelerateMS, the state’s Office of Workforce Development, to support the work of the newly established Mississippi Postsecondary Attainment Council (M-PAC) through MSBA’s […]
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – June 1, 2026 – Coahoma County High School has been recognized as one of Mississippi’s top school-community partnerships for its collaboration with Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center (NWMRMC) over the last year. The high school was among 47 school-community partnership programs that were honored for producing outstanding results for students in K-12 public schools throughout Mississippi by […]
PASCAGOULA, Miss. – May 28, 2026 – At Ingalls Shipbuilding, where heat and physical demands are part of the job, a collaboration is taking shape — one focused on protecting the people who build Mississippi’s ships. Mississippi State University’s Athlete Engineering Institute (AEI), Ingalls Shipbuilding, AccelerateMS and NextFlex are working together to develop practical technologies that reduce heat stress and improve […]
BELDEN, Miss. – May 27, 2026 – At first glance, the robotics laboratory inside Itawamba Community College’s (ICC) Belden Center resembles a small-scale manufacturing facility, complete with conveyor systems, industrial robotic arms, and automated training cells. Last week, instructors stepped into the role of students during a four-day FANUC Certified Education Robotics Training course aimed […]
JACKSON, Miss. – Mississippi is taking a defining step in Artificial Intelligence education. The state has released the Mississippi Statewide AI Framework, which establishes statewide AI priorities and provides a structured, stage-by-stage map of the AI skills learners need from K-12 through career leadership. The framework is grounded in a clear conviction: the purpose of AI […]
SUMMIT, Miss. – May 15, 2026 – Southwest Mississippi Community College is expanding workforce development training across the region with the launch of a new mobile training lab for industrial maintenance, bringing hands-on technical education directly to employers and communities while helping meet growing workforce demands in industrial maintenance and manufacturing. The trailer is equipped […]
JACKSON, Miss. – May 14, 2026 – AccelerateMS, Mississippi’s leading office for workforce development strategy and coordination, welcomes three new members across the organization: Wayne Dang, systems administrator; Jolene Milligan, administrative assistant; and Dr. Shari Watkins, career development manager. Dang brings extensive experience in network infrastructure, cybersecurity, systems administration, and technical support. He most recently served as IT network/cybersecurity manager […]