Mississippi community colleges are the most cost effective post-secondary education that offers a direct pathway into a career, said Dr. Andrea Mayfield, executive director, Mississippi Community College Board. âAnd that is important,â Mayfield said. âNobody wants to finish college at any level owing a lot of money and not having any real job prospects. That is something our state really canât afford.â Mayfield said at the community and junior colleges, affordability is a priority. And community colleges are open-access institutions meaning regardless of how much education you have had in the past, there are opportunities available. âSay you didnât finish high school,â Mayfield said. âCommunity colleges offer a pathway to earn high school equivalency while simultaneously learning a skill in career and technical education pathways. Maybe you attended a four-year university and you canât find a job with your degree. Community colleges are a perfect option for people. It doesnât matter if you have a Ph.D. You can return to the community college, complete some skills training, and get a job making a good salary.Â