Leadership

As the President of Northeast MS Community College, Dr. Ricky G. Ford is one of the prime catalysts in the college's technology movement. President Ford oversaw the introduction of the iPad into the learning environment while serving as the college's Executive Vice President.

Since becoming president in 2015, he has led the change from traditional lecture-based classes to ones filled with enthusiasm and interest from the students. He allows the Northeast faculty flexibility in their work environments to try new technology to improve the experience for the college's students, and his forward-thinking outlook continues to push the boundaries of infusing technology across campus.  Dr Ford is infamous for asking a single question, "What's next?"

Mr. Chris Murphy serves as the college's Vice President of Finance and is the person who makes sure the college's choices in technology give Northeast its best return on investment. In addition to making sure the college's technology purchases benefit not only the college but its students, Mr. Murphy has seen the benefits of technology in the classroom as it pertains to saving students money.

Since Northeast's 1:1 iPad initiative and OER adoptions, Northeast has saved its students over eight million dollars. Mr. Murphy was also instrumental in helping the college earn an Exemplary Practice Award from the Community College Business Officers for Northeast's work with iPad and OER.

Dr. Michelle Baragona serves as the college's Vice President of instruction and sees first hand the success that students have in the classroom when it comes to technology. She oversees the daily operations of the college's 226 full-time faculty and 87 adjuncts while facilitating training, curriculum assessment, and content delivery through a variety of methods.

In addition to being a champion for the cause, Dr. Baragona was the Division Head of Mathematics and Sciences at Northeast before moving to her current position. In that role, she oversaw the transition from traditional textbooks to OER and also the iPad 1:1 initiative. In the classroom, Dr. Baragona's science classes were some of the first on campus to use the iPad and augmented reality to help facilitate learning.  She continues to support faculty in developing their skills with using technology in the context of teaching and learning.

Dr. Carlena Benjamin serves as the Instructional Technology Specialist at Northeast and facilitates various support services on campus such as the 1:1 iPad program for students, leased iPad coordination for faculty and staff, technology workshops and support for faculty and students, and coordination of the Mobile Learning Conference each summer. 

Dr. Benjamin has 20 years of experience in teaching Biology and is an Apple Distinguished Educator. She has skilled knowledge of using technology in education and implementing advanced instructional strategies that allow students to take control of their own learning in a personalized, motivating, and self-directing way.