'Big Ideas' Mobile Learning Lab to help guide careers for area high school sophomores
TUPELO – A mobile learning lab will help guide the careers of more than 3,300 10th graders this fall in an initiative sponsored by the Toyota Wellspring Education Fund at the CREATE Foundation, Toyota Mississippi and the Tennessee Valley Authority.
Big Ideas, a Minnesota-based nonprofit, came to Northeast Mississippi to develop partnerships and work with local school districts before the 2025-2026 school year implementation. On Wednesday, local school district leaders, industry partners and community members had the opportunity to see the Big Ideas Mobile Learning Lab complete with nine modules.
'We need to be finding new ways to reach more students and expose them to high-quality, in-demand career opportunities locally,' said Mike Staten, CEO of BNA Bank and a Toyota Wellspring Education Fund committee member. 'There has historically been a stigma around skilled trades, but the reality is many of these opportunities provide high paying opportunities with career advancement that can lead to lifelong careers.'
Staten was among the people who charged the Toyota Wellspring Education Fund team with finding authentic, hands-on learning experiences for high school students. They found that in Big Ideas, whose mission is "to inform, inspire and connect curious learners" ages 13 to adult with career paths and professionals in skilled trades.
"TVA has always supported workforce development, along with CDF and all of our local partners. This aligns with our mission," said Amy Tate, senior state director, government and community relations for Tennessee Valley Authority. "As we move to attract business and industry to the area, we need a great workforce, and we want to help these students learn about these skill trades, get trained up, do anything we can do to put them in the pipeline and make it easier for us to have a robust workforce."
In October, Big Ideas will visit all the high schools in Pontotoc, Union and Lee counties, then visit the high schools in Chickasaw, Clay, Itawamba and Tippah counties in November. Big Ideas complements the Imagine the Possibilities career expo, and students will be exposed to a variety of skilled trades and career opportunities related to those careers.
David Rumbarger, president and CEO of the Community Development Foundation, said ITP was an enhancement of what ICC, Ole Miss, Mississippi State were doing with career preparation.
"We still need to get into the high schools because, just like me when I was in high school, I didn't think what to do until I was almost out of high school and even into college," he said. "Exposure to career paths, exposure to career opportunities to go through an environment specifically focused on career preparation and training will give this region ahead of many other regions in the country that are just taking the product of education and coming out and trying to educate them on career opportunities. That's too late ... this gives them a vision of what they can do in this region as a career."
Several high school students from the Boys and Girls Club of North Mississippi on Wednesday got a preview of the lab and the modules, similar to how sophomores will get to interact with these modules later this year.
The other module options include the following:
• Augmented Miller Welding (AR)
• CAT Excavation (AR)
• Industrial Coating - Paint (VR/AR)
• Transfr VR (META headsets) (VR)
• Crane (VR)
• Safety (Harnesses) *Hands-on
• Cargo Securement (Rachet Straps)
• Tire Maintenance
'Providing an immersive learning experience for our students is a key priority for Toyota Mississippi as we collaborate with our partners to create innovative workforce readiness opportunities,' said Tiffannie Hedin, corporate communications manager for Toyota Mississippi, who also is a TWEF committee member and CREATE board member. 'We are so proud to support the Big Ideas project to expand access across our region enabling more students to engage and be inspired to choose a career path that's right for them regardless of the sector or path. Preparing our youth for careers post high school is vital to the success of our community and economic development, and this project is perfectly aligned to that goal.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Washington Post
17 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Not just Mamdani: Centrist Democrats can win on affordability, too
Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nevada) still remembers her best tip ever, when she was a college student waiting tables outside Minneapolis for the local NHL team's holiday party. 'Nobody can party like hockey players,' Rosen said, recalling how they showed off their sport's hard-hitting nature by pulling out their fake teeth. 'They drank and spent so much money.' More than 45 years later, Rosen — who moved to Nevada after graduating from the University of Minnesota — has emerged as the biggest Democratic booster of a signature economic proposal from President Donald Trump. She co-sponsored a bill with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) to fulfill Trump's 2024 campaign promise for 'no taxes on tips,' the type of issue she experienced firsthand when the Minnesota North Stars left her a nearly $300 tip. A version of that legislation is tucked into the massive tax and immigration bill that Republicans are trying to pass on a party-line vote in the coming days. While every Democrat in Congress, including Rosen, opposes that broad legislation — largely because of its cuts to Medicaid — the Cruz bill won a unanimous vote last month in the Senate. If the massive legislation fails, Rosen will push her allies in the House to move a stand-alone tip bill to the president's desk. Her effort, fresh off a successful reelection bid in 2024, serves as a model for Democrats searching for a moderate approach to winning in swing districts and battleground states. Democrats are deep into internal battles drawn over generational and ideological fault lines and are debating how to use modern communications to get out their message. Many on the left see a model for winning in Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist poised to win the Democratic New York mayoral primary after running an online savvy campaign touting progressive ideas to fight inflation. Some centrist Democrats have pushed back against Mamdani for his far-left proposals, including free bus service and government-owned grocery stores. But similarities in the 33-year-old's mayoral bid and the 67-year-old senator's approach show the path to winning coalitions. Nevada was the only state that had twice voted against Trump but flipped to him last year — from a roughly 2.5 percentage point defeat in 2016 and 2020 to a more than 3 percentage point victory in 2024. But Rosen beat Trump-endorsed Republican Sam Brown by nearly 1.7 percentage points by embracing an aggressive approach to fighting inflation while positioning herself as an authentic voice, someone who didn't run her first political campaign until her late 50s. Rosen has held victory parties at Caesars Palace to remind folks that she was a cocktail waitress there. She gives off the political vibe of an encouraging aunt rather than career politician. 'It was really important to me to be present to people, for people, to listen to their stories,' she said in a recent interview. 'My motto is agree where you can, fight where you must.' In five presidential battleground states that hosted key Senate races, Democrats won four. Rosen was running her second statewide race ever, while Sens. Ruben Gallego (D-Arizona) and Elissa Slotkin (D-Michigan) were running their first and Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin) was running her third. Incumbent Bob Casey, who lost in Pennsylvania, was running his eighth statewide bid in three decades. Two figures from opposite ends of the Democratic ideology spectrum recently noted Mamdani, a state lawmaker since 2021, offered a fresh alternative to former governor Andrew M. Cuomo, 67, with personal scandal baggage. 'The people are clearly asking for generational change,' Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York), a liberal icon, told reporters. 'They are looking for a new generation of leadership,' Slotkin said during a policy address touting her centrist vision. Republicans take a different view of Rosen's and Slotkin's victories, blaming their big-money donors for not believing in the GOP nominees until it was too late. 'Many didn't believe we had a chance to win. And the money was late breaking there. But I think had we had the resources earlier, Sam Brown would have won,' Sen. Steve Daines (Montana), who chaired the National Republican Senatorial Committee last year, said in a brief interview. Rosen raised about $50 million for her campaign, more than twice as much as Brown's, and outside political groups favored Rosen by an edge of about $55 million to $45 million, according to Open Secrets. Rosen received 4,000 fewer votes than Kamala Harris did at the top of the Democratic ticket, while Brown fell about 75,000 votes shy of Trump's tally. Rosen did have better appeal than Harris in what Nevadans call 'the rurals,' lightly populated conservative areas far from the Las Vegas Strip. Humboldt County, in the northernmost stretch of the state, favored Trump by more than 4,400 votes while Brown won by 3,662 votes. Rosen believes that national Democrats face higher hurdles in rural areas where they never campaign and end up branded with 'all that noise' from conservative media outlets. She overcame some of that as an incumbent senator with time to visit those parts of the state. 'You can't be everywhere. But in Nevada and some other states, people can really get to know you. So it is absolutely an advantage,' Rosen said. Rosen instantly knew the moment Trump started talking about 'no taxes on tips' that it would resonate in a state where roughly 1 in 4 workers are in the hospitality industry. They probably either receive tips or have close friends and family working for tips. That industry got crushed during the pandemic, and now inflation has prompted another decline in tourist visits to Las Vegas. 'It's such a variable job. You don't know what your tips are going to be day in and day out. One day good, one day not so good,' Rosen said. While Harris also supported eliminating taxes on tips, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (Nevada) was the only other Democrat to join Rosen in co-sponsoring Cruz's bill. Culinary Workers Union Local 226, Nevada's largest union, also endorsed the proposal. Some Democrats on Capitol Hill have been hesitant to embrace the no-tax-on-tips policy, worried it is unfair to workers who receive a regular hourly wage. Critics of the proposal say the biggest beneficiaries of such a policy are staff at high-end restaurants who are already making high salaries, not the lowest-paid workers in the service industry. It could create a rush on employers shifting their workers into a tipped-wage system, leading to customers facing tip requests in places that rarely used to have them. But Rosen knew that Nevada, with the lowest percentage of college graduates of any battleground state, would embrace a proposal that appealed to its working-class image. 'We're always trying to find ways to put more money back into people's pockets,' the onetime culinary union member said. Without a deeply partisan background, she doesn't hesitate to break from her party's orthodoxy on issues including crime and border security. Rosen used her financial edge to start airing ads at least six months ahead of the election that ref far-left ideas such as defunding the police and open borders. 'I work with both parties on things like helping veterans exposed to burn pits and stood up to my own party to support police officers and get more funding for border security,' she said in one ad. Many of these positions run counter to the ideas embraced by Mamdani, Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont). But some Democrats point to issues Mamdani highlighted as appealing to most voters, allowing swing-district candidates to graft their own policy prescriptions into what fits their voters. 'It's not the left versus the middle — to win, it must be both. Mamdani's focus helps preview many of the issues liberals and moderates can embrace: affordability, quality of life and opposing slashing health care,' Steve Israel, the former New York Democratic congressman who ran the party's House campaign operation for four years, wrote in his Substack after the mayoral primary. For Rosen, that lesson goes all the way back to the time a bunch of professional hockey players got rowdy and left her a massive pile of cash. Rosen, who can't remember if she reported that tip on her taxes, moved away a few years later, and the North Stars became the Dallas Stars. But she always remember that lesson, one that resonates with a huge amount of voters in Nevada. 'Your tips were everything,' she said.
Miami Herald
2 hours ago
- Miami Herald
HBCU experiences record-breaking application surge
Edward Waters University, the first Historically Black College or University (HBCU) established in Florida, has officially broken its all-time record for student applications. The Jacksonville-based HBCU has received nearly 11,500 applications for the Fall 2025 term-more than at any other time in its 158-year history. Steady Growth in Interest and Enrollment Compared to this time last year, applications are up by 6.2%. Additionally, the university has seen a 17.6% increase in enrollment deposits from new students. These numbers show strong momentum and clear intent to enroll. More importantly, they reflect Edward Waters' growing reputation not just among HBCUs, but across the national higher education landscape. Factors Behind the Surge Several key factors are driving this growth. Innovative academic programs, strategic outreach, and effective institutional leadership all contribute to Edward Waters' upward trajectory. The university has become a competitive destination in the HBCU space, offering both undergraduate degrees and an expanding selection of graduate programs. Leadership Celebrates Milestone "This historic milestone speaks volumes about the growing momentum, relevance, and reputation of Edward Waters University across the state, nation, and globe," said Dr. A. Zachary Faison, Jr., President and CEO of Edward Waters University. "We are thrilled to see this record level of interest and are committed to building on this foundation by continuing to provide an accessible, rigorous, and mission-driven education to all students who choose to join us." Graduate Programs Signal Strategic Growth The university's expansion into graduate-level education marks a significant step forward. This move aligns with a broader trend among HBCUs to serve a more diverse and advanced student population. By broadening its academic offerings, Edward Waters is opening doors for students seeking both career-focused and research-driven degrees. Dr. Jennifer Price, Vice President of Enrollment Management and Strategic Matriculant Services, credited the university's success to the enrollment team. "This is more than just a numbers game-it's about the work we've put in to tell the Edward Waters story," she said. "Our team has worked strategically and collaboratively to ensure we are attracting and enrolling students who are ready to thrive, persist, and graduate. We're incredibly excited about what this means for the future of our institution." Looking Ahead to Fall 2025 Registration for the Fall 2025 semester is still open. Classes will begin on August 4, with regular registration ending August 15. As Edward Waters prepares to welcome a new class, it remains committed to its mission of delivering high-quality, values-based education within the HBCU tradition. The post HBCU experiences record-breaking application surge appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Hamilton Spectator
2 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Hudson's Bay landlords don't want Liu to move in, but retailer still has a shot
TORONTO - A group of Hudson's Bay's landlords don't want to transfer more than two dozen leases to British Columbia billionaire Ruby Liu, but the department store still has a chance to get its way. The Bay, which filed for creditor protection in March, ran a process over the last several months to find buyers for leases belonging to it and Saks Canada. It agreed to sell up to 28 spaces to Liu. Three leases were transferred to her without any hiccups because they're in B.C. malls she owns, but another 25 are at properties held by a who's who of Canadian commercial real estate firms. Landlords for 23 of those sites oppose the transfer. Several have said in court they've been 'very troubled' with their interactions with Liu and have had 'no productive discussions, no meaningful disclosure.' Liu insists if the court hands her the leases, landlords will warm to her and her plan to open a new department store in their properties. While the disagreement could serve as a roadblock to the Bay closing on its agreement with Liu, lawyers not involved in the case say the retailer has another route it can take to get a deal done. That route lies in changes to the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act — Canada's main insolvency law — made in 2009, said Jeff Lee, a Saskatoon-based partner at MLT Aikins LLP. The changes laid out three criteria courts must consider when asked to assign leases to a new tenant. The first is whether or not the sale has the support of the monitor, a court-appointed, independent third party which helps guide businesses through creditor protection. In the Bay's case, the monitor is Alvarez & Marsal. It has yet to reveal whether it supports the Liu deal and did not respond to requests for comment. 'Before any court application is brought forward, typically the company will test that out with them,' Lee said. 'They're not going to just sort of fly in blind and hope for the best.' The second aspect for the court to mull is whether the proposed new tenant is suitable. Lee said that's determined by looking at whether they can perform the duties of the tenant and pay rent. Liu, who made her money in Chinese real estate, appears to have deep pockets but her experience comes from being a landlord rather than a tenant. The final aspect the court will consider is whether a transfer of a lease to Liu is 'appropriate.' Lee said people should think of it as asking this question: 'Is what's proposed for this post-assignment lease relationship what people signed up for, or are they seeking to rewrite the lease or change the playing field so radically that it's not appropriate?' That's where much of the tension could lie in the Bay case. 'You can't go into CCAA as a tenant and then force your landlords to renegotiate their leases as a result,' said Peter Tolensky, a Vancouver-based partner at Lawson Lundell LLP. The Canadian Press obtained a document last week that Liu's lawyer sent landlords outlining her plans. It says she will take on the leases on an 'as is, where is' basis but doesn't mention the dining, entertainment, children's and fitness experiences she's told media she'd like to include in her department stores. It's unclear whether the leases allow for uses other than a Bay-like department store. A court faced with a request to reassign leases will weigh this context and think about whether 'the landlord's world is being turned upside down by having this new tenant,' said Geoffrey Dabbs, a B.C.-based founding partner at Gehlen Dabbs Cash. 'The more it's a minor inconvenience for the landlord, the more likely the judge will order it,' he said. While the Bay hasn't said whether it will seek an assignment, it's likely because any company in creditor protection has a duty to show the court it's doing its best to pay back companies and people it owes money to, Dabbs said. The Bay has a 26-page list of creditors, with some lenders owed more than $100 million each. Liquidation sales and a deal to sell the Bay trademarks to Canadian Tire for $30 million have put a dent in what's owed but selling leases to Liu would also help. Anyone who made an offer for leases had to make a deposit of 10 per cent of their estimated purchase price. Court documents show Liu made a deposit of $9.4 million, in addition to $6 million for the three approved leases, which would equate to a purchase price of $100 million for 28 leases. When a deal like this is reached, Dabbs said a company typically seeks landlord consent because commercial leases tend to have provisions stopping anyone from transferring a lease without a property owner agreeing. It's not uncommon for landlords to object because any leases that can't be sold and aren't assigned get turned back over to property owners who can choose how to fill them and under what terms. 'Remember, these are anchor leases, so they're probably very favourable to the Bay or to the tenant in a lot of respects,' said Tolensky, alluding to the fact that anchor tenants are often given attractive rents or terms. Thus, it's more advantageous for landlords to get their properties back, said Monica Beffa, founder of an Oakville, Ont., law firm. If they do, they can then charge higher rents, develop them for entirely new uses such as residential units or break them up into smaller parcels that can be rented by a wide array of tenants. If they don't and a court assigns the leases to Liu, landlords will likely be watching her closely to ensure she doesn't violate any terms of the agreement. 'The landlord may be cranky, if the tenant breaches, but put it this way, they don't want to rely on that,' Dabbs said. 'If they don't want this lease being assigned, they will fight it right up front.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 28, 2025.
