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ELLISVILLE – Jones College ranks first in the state in enrollment growth amongst the 15 Community Colleges for the Spring 2025 semester according to the Mississippi Community College Board’s semester report. Jones welcomed an additional 520 students over Spring 2024 and generated 4,136 more semester credit hours, marking the most significant increase in both headcount and credit hours in recent history.

“This record-breaking growth, with the largest student body since Spring 2011, and the highest credit hour generation since the onset of COVID in Spring 2020, demonstrates our resilience and our ability to adapt to the evolving educational landscape,” said Dr. Finée Ruffin, Executive Vice President at Jones College. “Our commitment to providing quality education has resonated with students and the community, as evidenced by these historic gains.”

Several other factors are being attributed to the unprecedented surge in enrollment, including a strategic effort to remove barriers which prevent students from being successful and finding resources to reach their goals.

“Jones College’s enrollment growth reflects our strategic efforts to strengthen student support and create clear pathways to success. This year, we thoughtfully restructured tuition to lower costs and provided early estimated Pell Grant amounts, giving students confidence that college is within reach,” said Jones College VP of Enrollment Management, Amanda McLeod, LCSW. “Moving forward, we will continue to innovate and expand initiatives like our One Step program, which offers a free class to full-time working individuals. Our goal is to make education accessible to everyone, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to succeed.” 

The growing trend in enrollment began last fall at Jones College. College officials point to the institution’s academic rigor, with 80 career and technical programs and appealing collegiate environment as additional forces driving the upward trend. The remarkable enrollment and credit hour increases at Jones College mirrors a broader statewide trend. Among Mississippi’s community colleges, students are taking more semester credit hours which has reached levels not seen since before the COVID pandemic.

“At Jones College, we are excited to build on this momentum, ensuring that our students receive the highest quality education and support as they pursue their academic and professional goals,” said Ruffin. “We look forward to continuing this growth and making a lasting impact on our community and the broader educational landscape.”

Jones County Junior College (Jones College) is an open door, two-year institution granting Associate in Arts (AA) degrees, Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degrees, Career and Technical certificates, Adult Education credentials, and Workforce credentials. JC inspires greatness by providing higher education programs and support services consistent with the ideals of a democratic society in order to meet the higher education needs of the communities of interest through postsecondary programming, workforce and economic development, and community development. 

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Jones County Junior College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Jones County Junior College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 3033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Statement of Non-Discrimination and ADA Statement: Jones County Junior College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, or disability in its programs, activities, or employment practices. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries and grievances regarding the non-discrimination policy: The (ADA/ Section 504) Wendy Evans, ADA Coordinator, Terrell Tisdale Library, phone 601-477-2673; email ADACoordinator@jcjc.edu and Title IX Coordinator, Brittany Weatherford-Barron, Hutcheson Hubbard Administration Building, phone 601-477-4127; email brittany.weatherford@jcjc.edu. Jones County Junior College, 900 South Court Street, Ellisville, MS 39437.

ELLISVILLE – Jones College’s Math department along with the Mississippi Council of Teachers of Mathematics recently sponsored the district level MCTM Math Contest for Jr. High School students. Thirty-six students from nine Pine Belt area schools spent the morning working out various math problems to earn a spot at the state competition. The following winners of the regional competition will meet at the Mississippi School for Math and Science in Columbus, on April 12, to compete on a state level.

Raleigh seventh grader Jaylon Hosey took first place with Northeast Jones’ Presten Graham earning second-place honors. Eighth-grader Jackson Harper from Stringer won first place and Tyson Breazeale from Seminary achieved second place. All of the participants received a certificate and the top two finishers in each grade from each school received a calculator from Texas Instruments.

ELLISVILLE – With nurses continuing to be in demand, more options for training are available at Jones College. The Practical Nursing program is offered at the main campus with full-time day class, and part-time night class times available. The Jasper County Center in Bay Springs offers a full-time day class and the Wayne County Center in Waynesboro, offers a part-time day class. Part-time classes start this summer at the main campus in Ellisville & at the Wayne County Center.

The entrance requirements for the practical nursing program include meeting admission requirements for Jones College, have a minimum ACT composite score of 16 (12 if taken before 1989), 14 on English, Math, and Reading subscores, ATI TEAS Test composite score of 50 or greater, a minimum GPA of 2.0 on previous college work and the student must be at least 18 years old on program entrance. Click on the JC Practical Nursing program website for full details and requirements. 

The part-time application deadline for the Summer 2025 Class at the Wayne County Center and for the night class program in Ellisville is Monday, March 3, 2025. The full-time program application deadline for the August 2025 Class at the main campus and at the Jasper County Center is April 1st, 2025.

Applications and all documents (ACT score, transcripts, TEAS test score) need to be delivered to the Practical Nursing Office in Ellisville, located in the Home and Health Center, or it may be emailed to the practical nursing email at, PracticalNursing@jcjc.edu.  Students with any questions or concerns can email, or call, 601-477-4101 for assistance. For further information about the Jones College Practical Nursing program, including a description about the program and requirements for prospective students check out the website, https://www.jcjc.edu/programs/practicalnursing/

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Jones County Junior College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Jones County Junior College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 3033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Statement of Non-Discrimination and ADA Statement: Jones County Junior College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, or disability in its programs, activities, or employment practices. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries and grievances regarding the non-discrimination policy: The (ADA/ Section 504) Wendy Evans, ADA Coordinator, Terrell Tisdale Library, phone 601-477-2673; email ADACoordinator@jcjc.edu and Title IX Coordinator, Brittany Weatherford-Barron, Hutcheson Hubbard Administration Building, phone 601-477-4127; email brittany.weatherford@jcjc.edu. Jones County Junior College, 900 South Court Street, Ellisville, MS 39437.

ELLISVILLE – Jones College’s annual Spring Blood Drive will be held Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, February 24, 25, and 27, at Jones College. On Monday, the Mobile Unit will be parked outside of the Industrial Services Building from 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. On Tuesday, Vitalant will have a Mobile Unit collecting donations in front of the Student Union from 10 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. and on Thursday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The public, as well as the JC community is invited to participate by making an appointment on the Vitalant website, https://donors.vitalant.org/

“Last year, Jones College earned recognition as one of the top institutions in Mississippi for blood donations. This was a remarkable achievement, and I believe we can surpass it this year with support. To do so, we need to coordinate efforts, encourage students, faculty, and staff to participate, and lead by example,” said JC Blood Drive Coordinator, Emergency Technology-Paramedic Program Director and Healthcare Simulation Center Director, Benji Sessums, Ph.D. NR-P. “The JC blood drive helps provide a critical resource to sick and injured people throughout the state and the JC students, faculty and staff step up every year to do our best to meet the needs of our state and our community. I couldn’t be prouder of what Jones does through this one community service opportunity.”

The overall goal for the three-days is 90 units of blood stated Sessums. To encourage donations, all donors will receive a $10 e-gift card, in addition to other door prizes including $50 bookstore gift certificates, restaurant gift cards, and more, during random drawings for donors.

ELLISVILLE – This year’s Spring Recital Series will feature a musical “feast” on the fourth Tuesday of February, March and April. With musicians from across the globe and across the U.S., music lovers will be treated to three unique opportunities to enjoy during the short performances. The annual Spring Recital Series of concerts are free and open to the public. For more information call the JC Fine Arts Department at 601-477-4203 or online at https://www.facebook.com/JCJCFineArts

On Tuesday, February 25, at 12:45 p.m. until 1:15 p.m. in the Foote Chapel, the Series opens with, “The Danish Experience.”  Virtuoso trombonist Jonathan Henneveld from The Netherlands will open the series with beautiful music by Axel Jørgensen, Launy Grøndahl, and Søren Hyldgaard.  He will be joined by Jones College faculty pianist, Dr. Theresa Sanchez.

Jonathan T.J. Henneveld is a multifaceted trombonist, a performing artist with Antoine Courtois, and currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Southern Mississippi with Dr. Ben McIlwain. As a freelancer, Jonathan has played with several orchestras, for example, Prinsens Musikkorps, Aarhus Symphony Orchestra, Sønderjyllands SO (South Denmark SO), and Aarhus Jazz Orchestra, amongst others. Next to this, he won the solo competition of the Royal Academy of Music Aarhus and got to play as a soloist with Aalborg SO in 2020. Recently, he won the Gower Concerto Competition and was rewarded a solo feature with the USM Orchestra last February.

Henneveld has taught at the Orkesterefterskolen, and the music schools in Holstebro and Struer, Denmark. Now, he teaches the music majors, and coaches chamber ensembles as part of his Graduate Assistantship at USM.

Dr. Theresa Sanchez has served on the Jones College faculty since 1995 and is a past president of the Mississippi Music Teachers Association.  She has received numerous teaching awards, and in 2024 was named a Fellow of the Music Teachers National Association.  She performs regularly as a chamber musician with the Impromptu Piano Trio, and as a symphony pianist.  She has served as Music Coordinator for FestivalSouth since its inception in 2010.

Jones College is honored to host the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, Wind Ensemble, which is a select group with a distinguished history, conducted by Jonathan Caldwell, and featuring soprano soloist Lindsay Kesselman on Tuesday, March 25, at 12:45 until 1:45 p.m. in the M.P. Bush Fine Arts Auditorium.

Founded in 1937, the UNCG Bands are among the finest collegiate band programs in the United States and dedicated to the performance, study, and cultivation of wind band music of the highest quality. The UNCG Wind Ensemble is a select concert band of approximately fifty performers within the UNCG School of Music from first-year students through master’s and doctoral students. Members of the current Wind Ensemble are drawn from fifteen states, China, and Peru.

The UNCG Wind Ensemble has enjoyed a distinguished record of performance. The band has performed across the United States and Europe in venues that include the Music Center at Strathmore, the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and Dvořák Hall. In addition, the band has performed for national conferences of the College Band Directors National Association, the American Bandmasters Association, and the National Band Association and frequently commissions and premieres new music for the band.

The band’s legacy of highly acclaimed recordings includes nineteen albums released between 1995 and 2015. The band’s latest recording projects, The Centennial Collection and Centennial Chimes, are celebrations of the UNCG School of Music’s centennial (1921–2021). With nearly 120 tracks totaling more than 12 hours of music, these albums include material from the UNCG Wind Ensemble’s history that was previously unavailable in digital form as well as premiere recordings of four compositions commissioned for the school’s centennial.

Wrapping up the Spring Recital Series on Tuesday, April 22, in the Foote Chapel from 12:45 p.m. until 1:15 p.m. will be flutist Brianne Little and pianist Siying He. They are taking us on a musical journey through different types of mythologies and legends from cultures across the globe, including Greek Mythology, Japanese Legends, Fairytales by Hans Cristian Andersen, and Hungarian folklore, through music by Franz Doppler, Carl Reinecke and Amanda Harburg in “Myth, Legend, Fantasy.”

Dr. Brianne Little is the Assistant Professor of Flute at the University of Louisiana Lafayette. She is a First Prize winner of the 2018 Vienna, 2019 Paris, and 2019 London Grand Prize Virtuoso competitions and the 2018 Golden Classic Music Awards International Competition. She has performed in Italy, France, and England in such venues as Carnegie Hall, the Royal Albert Hall in London, the Amphithéâtre – Cité de la Musique, in Paris, St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna, and the Haydnsall in Eisenstadt, Austria. In July 2019, she performed as Guest Principal Flutist with the Orquesta Filarmónica de Santa Cruz de La Sierra in Bolivia.

Dr. Siying He is an active collaborative pianist based in Louisiana. She has served as a staff pianist for the Vocal Immersion Program at the Castleton Festival (2022, 2023) and was a vocal fellow at the Aspen Music Festival in 2023. In 2024, she was an apprentice vocal coach at Opera in the Ozarks at Inspiration Point. Dr. He has appeared as a collaborative pianist for masterclasses, competitions, and professional productions, working closely with vocalists and instrumentalists in recital and concert settings. Her engagements include performances with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Rapides Symphony Orchestra, and Opera Louisiane. Dr. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Collaborative Piano from Louisiana State University and a Master of Music degree from the Manhattan School of Music.