College unveils state-of-the-art educational hub in Southaven
From Memphis Business Journal
Story Highlights
- Northwest Mississippi Community College opens multimillion-dollar Ranger Center in Southaven.
- The 42,000-square-foot facility houses nursing programs and expands academic offerings.
- Ranger Center accommodates 200-300 additional nursing students at DeSoto campus.
Senatobia-based Northwest Mississippi Community College has opened a new multimillion-dollar building in DeSoto County.
The Ranger Center is a 42,000-square-foot facility with spaces for instruction and meeting and study areas. It opened on June 26 and is located at 1210 Church Road in Southaven.
The project received $7 million in funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA); $3 million from the State of Mississippi; and $1 million from the DeSoto County Board of Supervisors. Northwest noted the contributions of Southaven-based construction firm Murphy & Sons Inc. and Memphis-based Allen & Hoshall Inc. on the project.
“This facility is a dream realized — not only for our college but for our entire community,” Northwest president Michael Heindl, Ph.D., said in a news release. “The Ranger Center offers flexibility, innovation, and access. It’s a modern educational hub where students will gain the skills they need to succeed, and it’s happening right here in DeSoto County.”
Northwest had 1,250 students at its DeSoto campus last fall. The institution is the No. 2 largest local college or university based on fall 2024 enrollment of over 7,800 students across its campuses, according to MBJ research. That trailed only the University of Memphis.
One new aspect of the Ranger Center is its entrance on Church Road. Northwest highlighted how it will increase the campus’s visibility from the main road. The building also has a regional testing center with 31 stations and three flexible classrooms with 96 seats.
The building was intended to help expand academic programs. It primarily houses the college’s registered nurse program, as well as a practical nurse program. Northwest also plans to offer new career workforce training and career-technical education (CTE) programs.
Keith Reed, Ed.S., who is dean of Northwest DeSoto Center, said with the opening of the Ranger Center, the college expects to accommodate 200 to 300 additional nursing students. Associate in nursing classes began last spring, and new CTE programs, such as commercial/residential electrical, are planned for future semesters.
“By combining the new lab space with our existing [licensed practical nurse] program, we’re also creating room in the main building for future growth in other medical programs,” Reed said in a statement.
