Solar energy firm replacing Hinds CC federal grant funds
Published 8:40 pm Monday, August 11, 2025
UTICA – APEX Clean Energy – Apex Community Grant is providing Hinds Community College with $16,000 to assist with funding the STEM-Up Academy on the Utica Campus, replacing federal funds that were cut this budget year.
The grant is being presented to Hinds at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13 at the Barnes Building on the Utica Campus.
The grant allows eight sophomore students in the STEM-Up Academy the funding they need to finish their program.
“We are extremely grateful to Soul City Solar and APEX Energy for their commitment to helping our STEM-Up Academy students complete their degrees at Hinds,” said Matt Jones, Vice President of Advancement. “This financial support allows this sophomore cohort to realize their dreams of a career in one of the STEM fields.”
The STEM-UP Academy seeks to increase the number of students who complete associate degrees and pursue bachelor’s degrees by developing bridges with critical transition points throughout the students’ enrollment from one educational level to the next.
“STEM-UP Academy is creating real pathways for students to grow, lead and thrive in STEM fields,” said Quita Bride, Public Engagement Manager, Soul City Solar. “From academic enrichment to hands-on experiences, this work helps students see what’s possible and prepares them to achieve it. Soul City Solar is proud to support such a forward-thinking program. We deeply appreciate the Hinds Community College Foundation and the Utica Campus team for their commitment to student success.”
The academy offers a seamless bridge of opportunities for high school students to community college graduates in STEM to four-year institutions to pursue STEM bachelor’s degrees. This includes research opportunities, STEM conference attendance, industry and four-year institution visits and STEM academic and technical coursework.
“We are appreciative of Soul City Solar for their generous funding in support of STEM students at Hinds’ Utica Campus,” said Jonathan Townes, Vice President of Career and Technical Education, Sponsored Grants, and HBCU Initiatives. “Their investment helps to strengthen academic success, expand career exposure and provide transformative opportunities such as conference attendance and industry engagement. Because of this support, our students are better equipped to grow in the STEM fields.”
