The DeSoto County Board of Supervisors, along with Northwest Mississippi Community College (NWCC), has announced the appointment of Sturgis Monteith to assume the position on the NWCC Board of Trustees held by retiring trustee Bill Austin.
“Sturgis has served the citizens of DeSoto County for decades, not only as an educator but also as the first mayor of the town of Walls,” said Ray Denison, president of the DeSoto County Board of Supervisors. “He has dedicated decades of his life to serving others, and I believe he will honorably represent DeSoto County on the college’s board of trustees.”
During Monteith’s 35 years with NWCC, he was regularly recognized for his work with students, including the HEADWAE Teacher of the Year award, an honor established by the Mississippi Legislature for excellence in higher education teaching.
“Northwest is experiencing great momentum and growth,” said Northwest President Dr. Michael Heindl. “I look forward to working with Mr. Monteith as we continue our mission of transforming student lives, enriching our communities, and striving for excellence in our educational programs and services.”
“I am honored to have been appointed by DeSoto County to the Northwest Community College Board of Trustees, a position previously held by my father-in-law, Bill Austin,” said Monteith. “I am excited to return to the college, having been a member of its faculty for over 30 years. It will be a privilege to work with the Board and President Heindl, and I look forward to being a part of the future of Northwest.”
Monteith will fill the position held by Austin, a local attorney, since 2014.
Northwest Mississippi Community College primarily serves students in the following 11 counties: Benton, Calhoun, DeSoto, Lafayette, Marshall, Panola, Quitman, Tallahatchie, Tate, Tunica, and Yalobusha. Supervisors from each county appoint two trustees to serve on the board.
DeSoto County Schools Supt. Cory Uselton is DeSoto County’s other appointment to the Northwest Mississippi Community College Board of Trustees.
The college board of trustees is the highest governing body of the college, established at each community college statewide by the Mississippi Legislature.
Trustees, working with college administration, determine the current and future direction of the organization and allocate the resources to accomplish the goals of the Institution.
