The Co-Lin Alumni Association recently honored five outstanding faculty and staff members during the annual fall convocation held on the Wesson Campus. Those honored from the Wesson Campus were Kelly Fenwick of Bogue Chitto, Scarlett Hart of Union Church and Chad Austin of Brandon. Amanda McKenzie of Collins was the Simpson County Center honoree, and Nancy McFarland of Natchez was recognized for the Natchez Campus.

Kelly Fenwick

Fenwick was selected as Outstanding Career-Technical Instructor for the Wesson Campus. She has been employed at the college since 2021 and serves as Program Director for Medical Radiologic Technology. Fenwick earned a bachelor’s degree from Mississippi State University, a certificate of radiologic technology from the University of Mississippi Medical Center, a technical certificate in Sonography from Hinds Allied Health Center, and a master’s degree in health sciences from UMMC. She is a member of the Mississippi Society of Radiologic Technologists and the American Society of Radiologic Technologist. Fenwick is a member of First Baptist Church of Summit where she sings in the choir and participates in mission work.

Scarlett Hart

Hart was selected as Outstanding Staff Member for the Wesson Campus. She has been employed at the college since 2016. She serves as Assistant Director of Public Relations & Marketing and Special Assistant to the President. Hart earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from The University of Southern Mississippi and a master’s degree in community development from Delta State University. She is a graduate of the Mississippi Community College Leadership Academy and Leadership Co-Lin. Her marketing campaigns and photography have earned numerous awards from the College Public Relations Association of Mississippi including the Grand Award for Electronic Media in 2019. She is married to Matthew Hart, and they have three daughters, Nora, and twins Mamie and Myla. They are members of First Baptist Church of Brookhaven where she sings on the worship team.

Chad Austin

Austin was selected as Outstanding Academic Instructor for the Wesson Campus. He has been employed at the college 2018. He serves as Assistant Band Director/Percussion Instructor and directs the basketball pep band and The Sojourners. He earned a bachelor’s degree in K-12 instrumental music education from Mississippi State University and a master’s degree in band conducting from Sam Houston State University. In 2009, Austin received the A.E. McClain Award for Mississippi’s Outstanding Young Band Director from the Mississippi Bandmasters Association. He is a past president of the Capital District Band Directors’ Association and currently serves as treasurer on the executive board of the Mississippi Indoor Association. He has served as a clinician for the Southwest Mississippi Band Directors’ Association and on adjudication panels for the Mississippi Lions All-State Band, Mississippi Indoor Association, and The Pine Belt Marching Invitational. Austin is a member of the Mississippi Bandmasters Association and the Percussive Arts Society. He and his wife Renee reside in Brandon.

Amanda McKenzie

McKenzie was selected as Outstanding Faculty/Staff Member for the Simpson County Center. She has been employed as a full-time mathematics instructor at the college since 2015. She earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Wisconsin- Green Bay and a master’s degree in applied statistics from the University of Michigan. In addition to teaching, she has also served as a Phi Theta Kappa advisor since 2016. She received the Howell Garner High Performance Award in 2017 and is a member of the Mississippi Collegiate Mathematical Association. She and her husband Eddie reside in Collins.

Nancy McFarland

McFarland was selected as Outstanding Faculty/Staff Member for the Natchez Campus. She has been employed at the college since 2000 where she currently serves as an academic counselor and Psychology instructor. McFarland earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Louisiana State University in Shreveport and a master’s degree in psychology and counseling from Texas A&M University. She is a member of the American Counseling Association, Leadership Natchez, Mississippi Counseling Association, Magnolia Region Counselors Association, and the Mississippi Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers. She completed the Mississippi Community College Leadership Academy in 2013 and is a past recipient of the Howell Garner High Performance Award. She is very active in the Natchez community where she volunteers with organizations including Natchez Junior Auxiliary, Stewpot, and Y’all Means All Natchez.