On Jan. 28, Build Mississippi joined workforce and community college leaders from across the country to highlight how Mississippi is strengthening its talent pipeline through early exposure to Career and Technical Education (CTE). Marion County Career and Technology Center’s CTE Director, Kimberly Rawls, served as a panelist at the Workforce Development Institute in New Orleans, Louisiana, where she assisted in highlighting Mississippi’s innovative strategies for connecting students with high-demand career pathways. Fellow panelists included Brent Bean, President of Build Mississippi, and Dr. Rebecca Brown, Dean of Workforce, Economic Development, and Adult Education at Pearl River Community College. The discussion was moderated by Cathy Tyler, Director of Workforce Development, Accreditation, and Customer Service for the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER). Together, the panel showcased how Mississippi is setting a national example by creating clear, connected pathways that guide students from K–12 education into rewarding careers. From left, Cathy Tyler, Kimberly Rawls, Brent Bean and Dr. Rebecca Brown.
