2024 CTE Conference Program

DAY 2: TUESDAY

August 5, 2025

11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions

New Administrators Panel Discussion

SWEET GUM- EAST HALL

This session will provide new administrators an opportunity to seek answers from current administratiors on community college leadership.

Dr. Amy Whittington, Holmes CC Barry Emison ITAWAMBA COMMUNITY COLLEGE Jason Mattox, NORTHEAST MS COMMUNITY COLLEG E Rod Tolbert, JONES COLLEGE Dr. Addie Boone SOUTHWEST MS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

TRADING UP the Next Generation: How Trade Schools Can Change Lives and Close the Skills Gap in Modern Worforce Skilled trades are the backbone of our nation, yet the growing skills gap continues to challenge industries and communities alike. This session will highlight and tell the story of how skilled trades can transform not just careers—but entire lives. Led by a welder-turned-CEO, this session will offer a firsthand look at how training the next generation of skilled trades workers in industries like welding,, HVAC, trucking, medical assisting, dental assisting, cosmetology, and more is helping address the massive U.S. skills gap. Through his personal story, real-world outcomes, shared best practices, and a mission rooted in changing lives, this session will show how career and technical education can solve America’s workforce crisis—one student at a time. ELM - EAST HALL Transforming Workforce Development: Scaling Apprenticeships and Elevating Digital Credentials Industries are evolving fast, and your workforce strategies must keep pace. In this dynamic session, you'll discover how scalable apprenticeship programs transform career pathways—from teaching and healthcare to advanced manufacturing and technology. MAGNOLIA -EAST HALL

CRAFT LEARNING Dennis Williamson II

DELTA TECHNICAL COLLEGE Brian Huff, CEO