October 21, 2025
Pearl River Community College’s partnership with Bridge to Boots took another step forward Wednesday night (Oct. 15) in a celebration to thank sponsors and donors for investing in this community workforce initiative.
The celebration, called Bridge to Brews, was held at Southern Prohibition to recognize those who understand the importance of aiding Pine Belt residents in gaining the training and certifications they need to succeed in today’s workforce.
“Thank you for believing in us, investing in us, and trusting in us. You have no idea what that means,” said Dr. Adam Breerwood, PRCC President.
Bridge to Boots is a Leadership Pine Belt project that helps PRCC workforce students overcome financial barriers to training and career opportunities.
This initiative helped launch the campaign to fund the PRCC Bridge Center, which will be the future hub for workforce training in our region.
“We are going to get this done,” said Dr. Breerwood. “While monetary contributions are so important, more important is your voice, your leadership, and spreading the word.”
If you’re interested in building an impactful business relationship that truly transforms lives and strengthens our community, we invite you to connect with PRCC Workforce Training and Development and the PRCC Development Foundation.
“The Bridge to Boots project led by members of this year’s Leadership Pinebelt Class does two really powerful things,” said Rebecca Ellis Brown, Ph.D., Dean of Workforce, Economic Development, and Adult Education at PRCC.
“First, it creates a workforce training scholarship account that fills a gap in resources available to noncredit learners who need to complete training in order to get to work in a good sustainable wage job. Second, it amplifies community awareness of PRCC’s innovative Bridge Center initiative.”
Currently, the classes meet in the Woodall Advanced Technology Center in the local industrial park. The college is working with regional, state, and federal partners to convert a local warehouse into an accessible adult and workforce education training center in the heart of downtown Hattiesburg.
“The work of the Bridge to Boots team to engage the community directly in support of the PRCC Bridge Center project takes the message further than we could easily do alone without these generous local professionals and their employers,” said Dr. Brown. “They are volunteering their time and energy to support something that could bring powerful change for generations to come by allowing people to build their futures by literally putting their boots to the ground.”
To donate to the Bridge to Boots fund that is going toward tuition scholarships, call 601-554-4646 or email: workforce@prcc.edu
For the latest news on Pearl River Community College, visit PRCC.edu and follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter (@PRCC_Wildcats), Instagram (PRCCWILDCATS), Facebook (@PRCCMKTG),and TikTok (@prcc_wildcats).
Article by Chuck Abadie.
