FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, November 30, 2005

GOVERNOR BARBOUR APPOINTS DICKENS TO STATE BOARD FOR COMMUNITY AND JUNIOR COLLEGES

(Jackson, Miss.)—Governor Haley Barbour today announced the appointment of Patricia R. Dickens, of Natchez, to the Mississippi State Board for Community and Junior Colleges, which serves as a coordinating board that authorizes disbursements of state appropriated funds to the 15 community and junior colleges throughout the state.

Dickens will replace Patricia Randall, of McComb, who has resigned from the board to take a position in the education field; law prohibits any board member from being engaged in the educational profession.

“I am proud that Patricia accepted this position to serve on the Board for Community and Junior Colleges,” Governor Barbour said. “Her years of educational experience make her well-qualified to fill this role. I feel confident Patricia will be a great asset and will serve the citizens of Mississippi well.”

Dickens is retired, with over 20 years of education experience. Her career includes working as a counselor at the Adams County Christian School, where she was responsible for financial aid workshops, coordinating annual career days with colleges and universities, and conducting study skills. Dickens also worked as a project associate at St. Louis Community College, where she developed and implemented a state-funded vocational assessment and exploration project and as counseling supervisor at Vocational Counseling and Rehabilitation Services. She is a former member of the Missouri, Mississippi, and American Associations for Counseling and Development, and is a National Board Certified Counselor.

Dickens earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Missouri. She is married to George M. Dickens, Sr. They have three children and seven grandchildren.