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Nunez Community College held an official ribbon-cutting to open its new Plaquemines Parish Site Nov. 3 in Belle Chasse. Pictured in the center is Dr. Tina Tinney, Nunez Chancellor, joined by Dr. Shelley Ritz, Plaquemines Parish Schools Superintendent, right, and Keith Hinkley, Plaquemines Parish President, left. The Plaquemines Site is a partnership between Nunez, Plaquemines Schools, Plaquemines Government and SME, a nonprofit organization specializing in manufacturing education.
College-level courses have returned to Plaquemines Parish for the first time since Hurricane Katrina thanks to a partnership between Nunez Community College, Plaquemines Parish Schools, Plaquemines Parish Government and SME, a nonprofit organization specializing in manufacturing education.
Dr. Tina Tinney, Nunez Chancellor, was surrounded by partners and industry supporters as she officially cut the ribbon on Nunez’s Plaquemines Parish Site September 3 in Belle Chasse. Classes at the site began in August with the Fall 2026 semester. Dual Enrollment students from Plaquemines Parish high schools are bused to the site to take courses in welding and electrical construction taught by Nunez instructors. Plans are underway to add night classes for adults.
“This is a homecoming for us. Nunez was serving students pre-Katrina in Plaquemines, so today marks the day that we re-commit to that partnership,” Dr. Tinney told dozens of guests and supporters gathered on the front lawn of the facility. “We are proud to write the next chapter and create a new storyline for what education, opportunity and success looks like in Plaquemines Parish.”
Beyond its classroom facilities, the Plaquemines Site includes practical training environments that mirror industry settings, featuring a framed construction workspace with electrical wiring installations and a welding lab with two rows of welding booths. Even as the new site welcomes its first students, Nunez and Plaquemines administrators are already planning for future growth and expanded training capacity.
“This is exactly the kind of demand we hoped to see,” said Dr. Tinney. “We are already at capacity, and we’re exploring evening and weekend classes to accommodate additional students. The need for a larger facility is a positive challenge that reflects the strong workforce needs of Plaquemines Parish and the surrounding region.”
Joining Dr. Tinney to make introductory remarks prior to the ribbon cutting were Dr. Shelley Ritz, Plaquemines Parish Schools Superintendent, Keith Hinkley, Plaquemines Parish President, Dr. Cherié Kay LaRocca, Nunez Provost, and Niko Tesvich, Plaquemines Parish School Board President.
“We are grateful for our partnership with Nunez Community College and for everyone who helped bring this facility to life. An effort of this magnitude takes collaboration and a shared vision,” said Dr. Ritz. “This is a commitment to our students and community. It is exciting to see the hard work pay off, as it creates new opportunities for students right here in Plaquemines Parish.”
President Hinkley highlighted the billions of dollars in industry investment that have come to Plaquemines Parish in recent years, requiring trained technicians to fill newly-available industry jobs.
“Nunez Community College is building a talent pipeline tailored to these exact opportunities,” said President Hinkley. “When companies invest here, they won’t need to look elsewhere. They will find the skilled workforce right here in our own community.”
Also on hand for the ribbon cutting were representatives from the governor’s office, Plaquemines Council members, Plaquemines School Board members, Chevron, and Venture Global.
