Coahoma County Higher Education Center

The Coahoma County Higher Education Center (CCHEC) is located north of downtown Clarksdale in the historic district on a geographical site known as Cutrer Hill. In 1999, Delta State University (DSU), traditionally a teachers college, entered into a partnership with Coahoma Community College (CCC), an historically black community college, to create the Coahoma County Higher Education Center (CCHEC).

The CCHEC was designed to strengthen the outreach capabilities of DSU and CCC. The partnership between the two institutions will allow the region to expand educational opportunity for the people of Coahoma County, and the surrounding communities, by offering junior and senior level coursework as well as personal enrichment classes. The central location of the CCHEC will give the people of Coahoma County an advantage by giving them an opportunity to increase their education with a minimum of travel.

Both institutions want to offer programmatic coursework at the CCHEC that will target high needs within the region. These may include, but are not limited to, education and teacher preparation, healthcare, business development, career development and hospitality management. Personal enrichment programs (i.e. non-degree coursework) will also be offered. These programs may include, but are not limited to, the culinary arts, performing arts, and mental and physical enrichment opportunities.

The CCHEC also provides space and resources to existing tourism events such as the Juke Joint Festival, the Tennessee Williams Festival, The Delta Blues Museum and the Sunflower River Blues Festival.