Above: Dr. MaryAnn Sison (left), instructor at the Jackson County Campus, and Perkinston Campus sophomore Jaycie Yott represented MGCCC at the annual HEADWAE program in Jackson on February 2.

Instructor Dr. MaryAnn Sison and student Jaycie Yott were selected to represent Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College at the annual Higher Education Appreciation Day-Working for Academic Excellence (HEADWAE) program in Jackson on February 2. The day’s activities included an awards luncheon and visit to the state Capitol.

Sison, an instructor at the Jackson County Campus since 2003, teaches U.S. and world history and leadership. She is the Phi Theta Kappa sponsor at the campus and also teaches Honors classes.

“It is wonderful to have the support and recognition of the MGCCC administration,” Sison said. “I’m very proud to represent the college as part of the HEADWAE program.”

A sophomore at the Perkinston Campus, Yott is planning on majoring in electrical engineering after she graduates from MGCCC. She is the Phi Theta Kappa president at the campus and is a member of the Honors College. She is also vice president of the Campus Activity Board and vice president of the Dog Pound, a support group for the athletic department. She is also a member of the Reflections Team, the Student Government Association, the Multicultural Club and a leader at the Barn. She earned her Girl Scout Gold Award in 2013.

“It is such a great honor to be chosen as the MGCCC student honoree for HEADWAE,” Yott said. “It is an honor to be recognized for all of the hard work and dedication to my academics and this school. I truly enjoyed the tour of the Capitol as well. I had the honor of listening to the governor speak and meeting some of our state legislators and dedicated corporate sponsorship representatives.”

Each February, the state Legislature, along with the Mississippi Association of Colleges, recognizes an outstanding faculty member and student from each of the state’s community colleges and universities during the HEADWAE program.