Coming to her post as Meridian Community College’s director of safety and security, Lindsey Higginbotham is bringing a new perspective to the position.
A 21-year-old Meridian native, Higginbotham, though, is not a new face on campus; she started working as a lifeguard at the Damon Fitness Center and later a police officer with MCC Campus police late last year before accepting her current role.
Her academic journey began with taking English and college algebra dual credit courses at MCC before attending East Mississippi Community College; she later transferred to the University of Mississippi, where she studied criminal justice, emphasizing law enforcement. Despite considering other career paths, such as teaching and healthcare, Higginbotham’s passion for criminal justice always came to the top. High school ride-alongs and interest in federal agencies, such as the FBI and Homeland Security, solidified her career choice.
“I always liked the strategic side of criminal justice,” Higginbotham said. “I wanted to work in a role that involved planning and coordination.”
As director of safety and security at the college, Higginbotham focuses on incident planning, lockdowns, evacuations and managing the panic button system. She also coordinates safety measures for campus events, ensuring the presence of trained professionals and emergency plans.
She is certified in incident planning through Federal Emergency Management Agency and works closely with local emergency management agencies. She also involves networking with campus and community members, monitoring weather threats and maintaining safety protocols.
One of Higginbotham’s long-term goals is to achieve national accreditation for MCC’s safety standards through the Emergency Management Accreditation Program. She also aims to upgrade the campus weather radar system for more accurate readings.
When she’s not on the job, Higginbotham enjoys seasonal activities, playing pickleball, and spending time at the beach. She is engaged to Caden Clodfelter, an investment banker who also attended MCC. Her mom, Becky Higginbotham, serves as chair of the college’s health division and is an instructor and coordinator of the Health Information Technology Program.