Northwest’s Heindl honored with state government excellence award

SENATOBIA, Miss. — Northwest Mississippi Community College President Dr. Michael J. Heindl received the Excellence in Local and District Government Award from Gov. Tate Reeves during a ceremony in Jackson on Thursday, Oct. 23.

“I’m very humbled and honored to be able to be recognized in this way,” Heindl said. “Our college’s accomplishments are due to the dedicated and hard-working staff, faculty, and administration at Northwest. We are a student-first institution seeking to help transform student lives, and I’m thankful to be at an institution that does just that.”

The Excellence in Government Awards, governed by the Mississippi State Personnel Board, were created to celebrate the accomplishments of Mississippians supporting local, district, or state government. The award recognizes innovation in management that increases the quality of public service. Two awards are presented, one for state government and one for local and district government.

Reeves commended Heindl for his accomplishments at the college, including his work on the Capital Campaign, multiple national championships for Ranger athletics, and growing the college’s Foundation endowment from $10 million to $15 million.

“Dr. Heindl, thank you for making Northwest Mississippi Community College a pillar of learning and a vital asset to our state,” Reeves said at the presentation. “What you’re doing is preparing students not for the jobs of the last 50 years, but for the jobs of the next 50 years, and the impact you’re making will last for generations.”

Heindl was nominated by Cory Uselton, chairman of the Northwest Board of Trustees. Uselton praised Heindl for his service to Northwest and to other community colleges in various roles statewide.

“Prior to his appointment at Northwest, he built a distinguished career in community college leadership through progressive administrative and teaching roles across Mississippi,” Uselton said.

Heindl also serves on various boards, including the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, the National Junior College Athletic Association Legal Advisory Council, and the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Legislative Committee.

“His career demonstrates not only professional leadership in higher education but also a sustained commitment to family, community, and student success,” Uselton said.