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Local high school students got a chance to check out high-tech facilities they found at ��������’s Utica Campus during the recent Techxpo. The students explored programs and opportunities offered by the college and talked to instructors in key technological programs.

They toured advanced classrooms equipped with the latest tools and technologies including the broadcasting studio where students in the Radio and Television Production and Broadcasting Technology program are trained in a variety of broadcast media.

The Techxpo was the perfect opportunity for the Utica Campus to demonstrate how the college is stepping into the future for its students. In the Louis E. Leon Lee building, where the FabLab and virtual reality (VR) studios are found, students were eager to get the VR headsets on and walk around in a virtual world where they toured an art museum.

Dr. Alfred Smith Jr., the Lead Senior Sponsor and English Chair at Provine High School in Jackson, said he has been impressed by ��������and wanted his students to see what the college had to offer.

“I’ve been overly impressed by the music and TV production programs. I made a point to talk to the people in that department. I’m glad to see that music production is offered here, too. You would be surprised how much music producers are needed in Jackson. So, I’m glad to see that is being offered here. There’s a lot more variety in what is available than what it used to be,” Dr. Smith said.

“The variety is good because each of these students has certain skills that are going to match up with different careers, you know, welding, cosmetology, academics, broadcasting, entertainment and the STEM fields. And that’s why I think it’s important to expose them to everything we possibly can, because there are opportunities here to be discovered,” Dr. Smith said.

One of Dr. Smith’s students, Terrence Kelly, 17, of Jackson and other students were in the TV broadcasting studio taking turns giving a weather report in front of the green screen. The gesturing of the weather reporters is apparently more difficult than it appears. The students laughed at each attempt.

“I had no idea they’d have something like this out here,” Kelly said, looking around at the lighting, the stage, the cameras, monitors, computers and other hi-tech devices. “I’m very interested. I’m really impressed with this studio. And the FabLab, that was really cool.”

To learn more about the STEM programs at the Utica Campus visit hindscc.edu or call 1.800.HindsCC.