State community colleges collaborate at MCC to address paramedic shortage
Facing a critical shortage of paramedics in Mississippi, educators and workforce leaders from community colleges across the state convened at Meridian Community College to explore ways to make paramedic training more accessible and flexible for students.
This meeting, led by deans and instructors, aimed to determine how curriculum updates and new approaches could increase enrollment in paramedic programs and address barriers that prevent students from completing their training.
“As we work to meet the critical need for paramedics in Mississippi, this collaborative effort allows us to design a curriculum that is responsive and adaptable to the diverse needs of our students,” said Dr. Lori Smith, dean of Workforce Education at MCC. “By bringing together deans and instructors from across the state, we are fostering an environment that supports student success and ensures our communities have access to skilled, dedicated professionals in emergency medical services.”
Dr. Scott Kolle, director of curriculum, instruction, and assessment at the Mississippi Community College Board, emphasized the importance of this initiative. “There’s an urgent need in the industry right now for EMT paramedics, and this group is working to take down barriers and create more opportunities for students,” he said. “We typically meet every few years to revise the curriculum, but this meeting was called to address the industry’s current needs and determine how we can adapt our programs to support our presidents and communities.”
Attendees highlighted the value of in-person collaboration for tackling challenges. “You can’t do this by Zoom,” Dr. Kolle added. “A face-to-face meeting is essential for working through these issues and finding solutions.”
For more information about paramedic training programs at MCC, visit meridiancc.edu.