Nan Robinson, left, and Susan James map out their plans for the conference.

    Two Meridian Community College educators, Nan Robinson and Susan James, are packing their bags and heading north as MCC representatives for the Mississippi Community and Junior College Deans’ Association annual gathering, Lamplighters Conference.

    The meeting, set for Sept. 28-30 in Corinth, applauds top community college instructors from among the state’s 15 public community and junior colleges. Northeast Mississippi Community College in Booneville is serving as the host college.

    Robinson, who began her employment at MCC in 1993, is the work based learning coordinator and the Industrial Technology Division chairman. James has worked at MCC for 10 and a-half years as the computer science instructor.

    Though their day-to-day activities take different routes, their paths have crossed many times. Robinson and James worked together in the former Tech-Prep program where Robinson was the MCC director and James served as a trainer. The two have also been spotlighted as outstanding employees; both were recipients of the MCC’er of the Month award, which is sponsored by the College’s foundation.

    Upon learning of their selection, the two said they were excited, pleased and surprised, especially upon learning they were voted by peers to attend the conference.

    Still it’s the classroom and the students that energize them. “I enjoy working with so many different people,” Robinson said, with James noting, “I love the students. They keep you young.”

    Both agreed their jobs are different each day – “because students are different,” James said. Robinson added, “There’s never a boring moment.”