Dr. Clyde Muse, who led Hinds Community College as president for more than four decades, died Wednesday at the age of 96.
Often referred to as the “Godfather” of Mississippi’s community college system, Muse led Hinds Community College from July 1978 until his retirement in June 2020 – a 42-year tenure that made him one of the longest-serving community college presidents in the nation. At the time of his retirement, Hinds was the largest community college and the fourth-largest institution of higher learning in Mississippi, operating six campuses and serving more than 12,000 credit students, with additional workforce and non-credit programs expanding its overall reach.
Current Hinds President Stephen Vacik said Muse’s impact on the college and the broader community college system will continue to live on.
“He was one of those figures who was ‘bigger than life,’ and it is hard to contemplate that he is no longer with us,” Vacik said. “His life was dedicated to service above self, as his 42 years as president of Hinds CC exemplify. Under his leadership, this institution rose to a place of prominence among others in the state and region – and we remain there today because of the foundation that he helped establish.”
During his tenure, Muse oversaw major growth in enrollment and facilities while helping shape Hinds’ role in workforce development through expanded technical education programs. He also guided the institution through the federally ordered merger of Hinds Junior College and Utica Junior College in 1982, a pivotal moment in the school’s history.
Muse emphasized access to education, promoting Hinds as “The College for All People.” Under his leadership, the school expanded both developmental programs for students needing additional academic support and honors opportunities for high-achieving students.
Muse was born in Benton County and graduated from Sebastopol High School in 1947 before attending what is now East Central Community College, initially working to pay his way through school before later earning a basketball scholarship. He later attended what is now Delta State University on another scholarship, where he met his wife Vashti Underwood.
Muse began his career as a teacher and coach at Canton High School before moving to Starkville, where he coached a state championship boys basketball team in 1961 while earning a master’s degree in school administration from Mississippi State University. He later became principal of Starkville High School and assistant superintendent of the district.
By 1969, Muse had completed doctoral requirements in administration at Mississippi State and was named superintendent of the Hinds County School District during a period marked by federal desegregation orders. He then served as superintendent in Meridian for seven years before being hired as president of Hinds Community College in 1978.
Visitation will be held on Monday, April 20, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Cain-Cochran Hall on the community college’s Raymond Campus. The funeral service will follow at 3 p.m.
Muse is survived by his three children – Julia Muse Cole, Susan Muse Rucker, and Vernon Clyde Muse Jr. – along with seven grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. His wife of more than 50 years, Vashti, passed away in 2010.
