January 22, 2024
Rebecca Brown, Pearl River Community College’s Dean of Workforce, Economic Development and Adult Education, has been selected as one of 35 Distinguished Leading Business Women in Mississippi for 2023.
The list is selected by the Mississippi Business Journal and sponsored by The State Chamber of Commerce Mississippi Economic Council.
“It’s humbling to be included in Mississippi Business Journal’s list of so many highly successful women,” said Brown. “Chelsey Everett with the Area Development Partnership is also named from this area, and anyone who has worked with her can tell you she is one of the most talented and hard-working leaders out there.
“I am honored to get to stand next to her with this group of distinguished women.”
Brown has served several positions at PRCC. She has more than 15 years of experience in workforce development, working previously as Community and Economic Development Coordinator for PRCC and as Workforce Director of the Twin Districts Workforce Area/Southern MS Planning & Development District where she launched the Twin Districts Industry Advisory Council.
She is a Certified Training and Development Professional and earned her M.B.A. from Mississippi State University and a B.S. from The University of Southern Mississippi. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Human Capital Development.
Dr. Martha Lou Smith, Senior Vice President for Instruction/Provost, said Brown is a leader in her field.
“Her efforts might be directed at bettering Mississippi, but she is aware of the person as an individual,” said Dr. Smith. “She genuinely cares about people. While knowledgeable about workforce topics, her logical way of approaching a task makes her a great asset to the college and to the state.”
Brown serves on the Area Development Partnership’s Racial Equity Task Force and as a board member of the Twin Districts Workforce Development Area. She has previously served on the board of United Way of Southeast Mississippi and as co-Chair of the Leadership Pine Belt Steering Committee.
Through collaboration with local economic developers, industry partners, Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District, local elected officials, and a dynamic workforce team at PRCC, Brown has led efforts to create the Pine Belt Works Manufacturing program, the Youth Spark WIOA youth program, and to develop PRCC’s future Bridge Center.
The Bridge Center, to be located in the heart of Hattiesburg, will deliver strategic training solutions that increase access for youth and young adults to good-paying careers in local jobs.
What excites me about my current position at PRCC?
“I love the collaborative discovery of good ideas to achieve good things,” said Brown.
“I get to work with incredibly innovative and committed team members who strive every day for meaningful change that will help our students and local businesses. Our jobs aren’t easy, but they are undeniably rewarding and fun.”
Brown is a native of Collins. She and her daughter, Sophia, 15, currently live in Petal.
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Article by Chuck Abadie.
