MC Welcomes New Human Resources Director Donna Winstead
Donna Winstead didn't have very far to move in Nelson Hall when she went to work August 3 as Mississippi College's new director of human resources.
In fact, the Mississippi State University accounting graduate literally packed up and moved her office materials next-door on the second floor of MC's administration building.
Winstead, who's served as MC's payroll and benefits director, succeeds Marilyn Sauls, who relocated to Georgia to be closer to family after 20 years of service at the Christian university.
Whether she's helping welcome new staff employees or handling workers compensation, Winstead is a key administrator at Mississippi College. The Baptist-affiliated university is home to 480 faculty and staff members and nearly 5,000 students.
Donna began working at MC in June 2002 as a payroll clerk. She left the university in November 2004 to work in human resources at BankPlus. Winstead returned to the Clinton-based institution in July 2005 as director of residence life and a year later moved back to work in payroll.
There's so much that Winstead loves about MC, it's really hard to sum up in a sentence or two. "I like everything about working at MC..the really nice people - from the employees to the students, the work, and the fun times at lunch in the Caf," said the Clinton resident. Rain or shine, her smiling face always greets visitors to her office in Nelson Hall.
One of the MC students stopping by this fall will be a familiar face - her son, Dave, 18, who will be a freshman on the Clinton campus. Donna's youngest son, Jennings, 11, will enroll as a 6th grader at Lovett Elementary in Clinton later this month.
Prior to coming to MC, Winstead worked for the Mississippi Power Company in Gulfport from 1983 until 1992, at the Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, Ky. from 1992 until 1994 and at First Methodist Church in Tupelo from 1995 until 2001.
While she's an MSU Bulldog who proudly displays her diploma on the wall, the Mississippi native is very much an MC Choctaw, too.
"Mississippi College is a really special place to work and I feel very blessed to be a part of the MC family," Donna Winstead said.
MC is truly fortunate to have many other hard workers aboard on the staff, including a number of newcomers this summer.
One of the newest staff members is Sally Garcia, who recently joined the MC student life team. Garcia is secretary/receptionist in MC's student life office on the third floor of Nelson Hall. "I'm really enjoying it. I love meeting with students," Sally said Thursday. " It is a great environment."
Garcia is a graduate of Kennesaw State University in Georgia where she majored in early childhood education. She's a native of Ocean Springs and attended MC during her freshman and sophomore years. Sally worked as a substitute teacher last semester for the Madison County schools.
Sally is married to Justin Garcia, the MC webmaster who joined the MC staff last September. The couple live in Clinton.
"It's great having Sally just down the hall," Justin Garcia said. "I know she will enjoy the friendly atmosphere and professional work environment that MC provides."
MC kicks off its 184th academic year with a full slate of Welcome Week activities planned for students Aug. 22-29 - from a Student Government Association Coke float party to a volleyball tournament on the Clinton campus. Fall semester classes begin Aug. 26.
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