Hinds alumnus Dr. Ginger Turner Robbins (1989) considers herself “a Hinds kid,” having grown up around educators on the Raymond Campus.
“I grew up here on the campus while my mom taught here for 39 years,” said Robbins, whose mother, Jane Kelly, taught generations of psychology students during her time at Hinds before her daughter began a career in education that included eight years at the college. “Hinds has definitely shaped the direction of my life,” she said.
She was a member of Hinds Connection, which she credits with being the catalyst for her career in education at a time when she was unsure what to study in college.
“Hinds Connection provided me with opportunities to see behind the scenes of higher education – from processing scholarship applications to serving at Board of Trustee meetings,” she said. “Members of Connection represent the college well to prospective students, parents, community leaders and elected officials. That training I received decades ago applies to my role today because it helped me learn to build relationships with others, find common ground amidst differing opinions and collaborate to achieve mutually beneficial goals.”
The Raymond native says her return to Hinds this semester as Director of Governmental Affairs resembles a homecoming.
“I feel like I grew up together with several people on the Executive Leadership Team (ELT). Ten to 15 years ago, Dr. Keri Cole (1998), Sherry Bellmon and I were all just beginning our careers in higher education. To be able to roll up my sleeves with them again is like a reunion, of sorts.”
She arrives at Hinds from Northwest Mississippi Community College in Senatobia, where she was District Dean of Enrollment Services. She worked at Hinds from 2004-2011, serving in a variety of roles, including Registrar/Director of Admissions and Records. She has also worked at Mississippi College, from 2011-2016, as Registrar, and Make-A-Wish Mississippi, from 2018-2020, as Donor Relations Coordinator.
She assumed her current duties working with area elected officials and community leaders after Colleen Hartfield retired in December.
“Hinds moves people and communities forward,” she said. “In my new role, I will build relationships with our local, state and national leaders, and tell the story of how Hinds is creating a compelling culture in Mississippi.”
She holds degrees from Hinds, Mississippi State University, the University of South Alabama and a doctorate in Human Capital Development from the University of Southern Mississippi.