Collum named as MCC vice president for workforce solutions
Dr. Lara Collum did not set out to become a college vice president.
She wanted to be a nurse.
More than 30 years later, the Meridian Community College alumna has built a career that includes nursing practice, classroom teaching, and college leadership. Now, she will serve MCC in a new role as vice president for workforce solutions.
Dr. Collum, who is associate vice president for nursing and healthcare education, will move into the position held by Joseph Knight, who is retiring at the end of June.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve in this capacity,” Dr. Collum said. “Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to have wonderful mentors and many meaningful opportunities.”
MCC President Dr. Tom Huebner said Dr. Collum brings more than three decades of experience in nursing practice, education and administration, including 28 years at MCC.
She has served the college as an instructor, program coordinator, dean and associate vice president. In those roles, she has provided leadership for nursing and health programs while supporting faculty, curriculum development and accreditation efforts.
“Lara is an exceptional administrator and a strong advocate for MCC at the local, state, and regional levels and will be an outstanding VP for Workforce Solutions,” Dr. Huebner said. “I am excited that she has agreed to serve in this new role.”
Dr. Collum said her career path has been different from what she would have imagined.
“In some ways, it is surprising to reflect on where I am today professionally,” she said. “If you had asked me 20 years ago what my career path would look like, this is not what I would have imagined, but I am truly grateful for the journey.”
Dr. Collum is a first-generation college student and a 1993 graduate of MCC’s Associate Degree Nursing program. She earned a bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1995, a master’s degree from Alcorn State University in 2005, and a doctorate in nursing administration and education from William Carey University in 2015.
She said bedside nursing helped shape her, but education became a calling of its own.
“I loved bedside nursing, but I also love nursing education,” Dr. Collum said. “Many of our students need a pathway to be able to provide a better way of life for their family. Having a part in educating and shaping new nurses is very rewarding.”
During her time at MCC, the nursing and health education divisions have marked several milestones. Dr. Collum points to a major curriculum change in nursing, the development of a simulation lab, improved licensure pass rates and retention rates, faculty professional development and faculty coaching as examples of the work.
She said those gains belong to the faculty and staff.
“I cannot take personal credit for these successes, as they have truly been the result of teamwork,” Dr. Collum said.
Dr. Collum has also been active in professional and scholarly work. She has served as a National Council of State Boards of Nursing item writer for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX) and as a site visitor for the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. In Mississippi, she has held leadership roles, including chair of the Mississippi Council of Deans and Directors of Schools of Nursing. She also serves on the board of the Community Health Improvement Network.
As she moves into the workforce role, Dr. Collum said her goal is to build on the division’s success and keep it moving forward. She said Workforce Pell, which is set to begin in July, will create new opportunities for training programs that meet employer needs. “Through this initiative, we are committed to advancing high-quality training programs that align with employer needs and workforce demands,” she said.
Dr. Collum said she also wants to support others who will move into new leadership roles during the transition.
“One of my priorities will be mentoring and supporting these individuals as we navigate this period of change together,” she said.
Dr. Collum said the best parts of her work include supporting faculty, watching students grow, and using data to improve outcomes.
“No two days are the same for me at work,” she said. “It is always interesting.”
She said her faith, family and desire to serve guide her work.
“I want to do a good job at whatever I do,” Dr. Collum said. “I strive to be a servant leader.”
Dr. Collum and her husband, Jeff, who also works at MCC, have been married almost 30 years. They have three sons, Josh, Drake, and Eli.
She added, “My family is everything to me.”
For more information, visit meridiancc.edu/workforce.