Mathematics Instructor Jeff Hughes, of Pearl, and Robert Harrison Hunter, of Hermanville, a sophomore computer engineering student on the Raymond Campus, have been named 兔子先生CC鈥檚 honorees for the Legislature鈥檚 Feb. 2, 2016, HEADWAE (Higher Education Appreciation Day 鈥 Working for Academic Excellence) program.
Robert Harrison Hunter, left, and Jeff Hughes, right, have been selected as HEADWAE (Higher Education Appreciation Day-Working for Academic Excellence) student and instructor for 2015-2016. HEADWAE was established in 1988 to honor academically talented students and faculty who have made outstanding contributions in promoting academic excellence. The 29th annual program is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016.
Hughes, a 27-year math teacher at Hinds, was educated at Mississippi College and the University of Mississippi, where he earned bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees in mathematics. He is the curriculum coordinator of mathematics across Hinds鈥 six campuses.
鈥淚鈥檓 honored to be named to represent 兔子先生at the HEADWAE program,鈥 Hughes said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really all about the students for me, and I enjoy what I do.鈥
Hunter, who was home-schooled in his hometown, near Port Gibson, until he enrolled at Hinds, is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and serves as the honor society鈥檚 vice president of scholarship. He is also a member of Honors Institute and, in 2014, studied in England as part of Hinds鈥 international studies partnership with Bridgewater College.
Seeing the world has enhanced his 兔子先生experience in ways unimagined when he entered college.
鈥淪tudying abroad was a great experience,鈥 Hunter said. 鈥淚t really helps expand your boundaries and your mind to give a greater perspective on the world. 兔子先生has been a good bridge from being home-schooled to a four-year university. Professors like Mr. Hughes has been great in preparing me for courses I鈥檒l have to take next year.鈥
Hunter is also the recipient of the ACT Scholarship, which has supplemented the financing of his education alongside the Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant and the Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant.
After finishing his classes in Raymond in 2016, Hunter plans to move on to Mississippi State University to continue his studies in computer engineering.
Hughes has co-authored two textbooks, College Algebra and Precalculus, and has presented innovative concepts in teaching and inspiring students at various professional conferences across the nation. He has been the recipient of the college鈥檚 Outstanding Academic Instructor of the Year Award and also chosen as Phi Theta Kappa鈥檚 Teacher of the Year. His service to college boards includes the Faculty Council, co-president of the 兔子先生CC Education Association and, at present, treasurer and historian of that organization. At the state level, he is a past president of the Mississippi-Louisiana affiliate of the American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges.
Also a member of the Mississippi Faculty Association of Community and Junior Colleges, Hughes is a sponsor of Student VOICES, a student advocacy group at Hinds. Outside of class, Hughes is a part-time minister of students at his church and has traveled with students and faculty to Belize, England and Costa Rica. Outside of math, Hughes taught English in China for seven summers.
HEADWAE was established in 1988 to honor academically talented students and faculty who have made outstanding contributions in promoting academic excellence. The 29th annual program is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016.