Middleton chosen to lead Co-Lin as ninth president

Dr. Dewayne Middleton has formally been named as Copiah-Lincoln Community College’s new president, and will take office this summer.

Middleton, who will serve as the regional institution’s ninth president, succeeds Dr. Jane Hulon Sims, who announced her retirement in February from the school’s leadership role effective Friday, June 30.

Melton King, who serves as chairman of Co-Lin’s Board of Trustees, issued a statement Thursday, April 6 on behalf of the oversight panel in announcing the selection.

“Dr. Middleton currently serves as the executive vice president of the college, and beginning July 1, he will assume the role of president from Dr. Sims,” King said.

Middleton said he was honored and grateful for the board’s vote of confidence and was looking forward to serving a place that is close to his heart.

“Co-Lin has been part of my life for nearly 30 years, first as a student-athlete and then the place I was fortunate to build my career,” Middleton said. “I look forward to the opportunity to continue to strengthen our institution as we work to offer the highest quality education to our students and communities.”

Middleton’s community college leadership experience has involved areas such as student services, classroom instruction, federal programs, academics, athletics and administration.

In 2021, he was named as Co-Lin’s executive vice president charged with overseeing all institution vice presidents and operations.

He previously served as vice president of Co-Lin’s Simpson County Center for seven years.

He also previously worked as dean of student services at the Simpson County Center, an academic advisor-instructor, the Upward Bound program coordinator and assistant men’s and women’s basketball coach.

Middleton holds an associate degree from Co-Lin and played for the Wolf Pack men’s basketball team.

He also holds a bachelor’s degree from Hattiesburg’s University of Southern Mississippi in coaching and sports administration; a master’s degree from Lorman’s Alcorn State University in secondary education, and a doctorate from Starkville’s Mississippi State University in community college leadership.

Middleton was also an adjunct graduate professor at Alcorn State.

His career accolades include being named as a “Who’s Who Among Executives and Professionals” member as well as a recipient of Co-Lin’s “High Performance Award” and the “Outstanding Co-Lin Faculty-Staff” presentation.

Additionally, Middleton was selected an “Emerging Leader of Mississippi,” and completed the Mississippi State University Education Policy Fellowship program, Mississippi Community College Leadership Academy, and Mississippi Development Authority Aspire program.

He serves on the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Substantive Change Committee Review Team, the SACSCOC On-Site Committee Review Team and the Mississippi Community College Board Review Team for OCR and ADA compliance.

He is a member of the Mississippi ACT Council, Southeastern Association of Collegiate Registrars and Academic Officers, Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges Student Affairs Association, Mississippi Scholars Steering Committee, Simpson County Leadership, Omega Psi Pi Fraternity Inc., and the Simpson County Tourism Council.

In the community involvement, Middleton is part of the Five County Head Start board of directors, Magee Hospital HealthTrust board of directors, Peoples Bank CDFI advisory board, Simpson County Economic Development board of directors, Southern Pine Electric Power advisory board and Simpson General Hospital board of directors.

He also spends time as a volunteer coach for youth baseball, football and basketball.

He is married to Sirkersia (Tan) Middleton and the couple has two daughters — Mikaylin and Soumya — and a son — Kendal.

They attend St. John Church of God in Christ.

Copiah-Lincoln Community College was established in 1928 and presently serves seven counties in Southwest Mississippi — Franklin, Adams, Copiah, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lincoln and Simpson.

Franklin County became part of the school’s district in 1948.

The institution operates three campus facilities in Wesson, Natchez and Mendenhall.

Co-Lin is accredited by the Southern Association of College and Schools Commission on Colleges.