Category: Press Release

ELLISVILLE– If you asked Terica Chapman, she’d say her passion is science. However, the High School Equivalency (HSE) instructor at Jones College’s Jasper County Center in Bay Springs is actually passionate about teaching. In her first year, she is proud to have 18 students which is the most in years to complete the program and earn their HSE diplomas.

“Jordyn Jones is a first-generation graduate that completed the program and enlisted in the Army. He is currently in Tampa, Florida, completing basic training. A father and daughter, Daniel and Adrienne Hampton also completed their HSE together within two weeks of each other and I’ve had students who are thriving that were bullied in school, and are now graduating,” shared Chapman. “I truly could not have had the success that I have had if it were not for Jasper County Center Dean Grant Crowder, the staff at the Jasper County Center, Integrated Pathways Director, Wendy Evans, and mentor teachers, Janet Tucker and Tammie Griffith. I am so proud of the progress that me and my students were able to make together this past year.”

Connecting with the science department on Jones College’s main campus in Ellisville has also helped her to bring learning to life. Assisting Chapman’s students to thrive in the classroom was Dean of Science and Technology, Eric Shows. He donated science equipment and specimens to create the first science lab at the Jasper County Center, allowing Chapman to provide more hands-on lessons.

“I have noticed an increase in scores since the science lab was established and we’ve had a lot of gains throughout the year,” said Chapman. “I try to incorporate hands-on-learning exercises in every subject. That is something that I had in my teacher-toolbox from teaching K-12 in the public schools. If you give students something tangible, they can touch and see, they tend to learn more.”

Seven-teen year old Dawson Knotts from Louin is one of Chapman’s students whose love for science and helping others has manifested into a career in health care. While caring for his grandmother, his passion for nursing became more evident and with Chapman’s help, Knotts has not only earned his HSE diploma, but he has also spent the last month preparing for the ACT test. He is now planning to take some basic college courses and apply for the Practical Nursing program when he turns 18, next fall.

“The HSE program and Ms. Chapman have helped me more than actual high school because everything in high school was on the computer,” shared Knotts. “I got more one-on-one experience here and it’s like a family here; everyone is accepting of everyone. I’m more comfortable in the classroom and I feel safe and it’s probably why I’m doing better here because I love learning”

This year’s record number of HSE graduates is only the beginning of what Chapman said she hopes to build upon while teaching each year in Bay Springs. The innovative instructor said she plans to continue building strong relationships using creative teaching methods to foster a growth mindset and continued success.

She added, “As I resume my journey as an educator this upcoming year at Jones College’s Jasper County Center, I remain committed to these principles, always striving to better serve my students and help them reach their full potential.”

Of the total 150 HSE students who have successfully completed the HSE program through all of Jones College’s various sites, 107 students plan to participate in the special, HSE Commencement Ceremony held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 25, at the M.P. Bush Auditorium on the Jones College campus in Ellisville. Many of these students are also receiving scholarships to continue their education at Jones College in the fall. For more information about the Adult Education or other Integrated Pathways Programs, contact Wendy Evans at 601-477-2228 or email, wendy.evans@jcjc.edu or on the website, https://www.jcjc.edu/workforce/adult-learning/

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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 (ADA/ Section 504) ADA Coordinator, Student Affairs, phone 601-477-2673, and (Title IX) Title IX Coordinator, Hutcheson Hubbard Administration Building, phone 601-477-4127, have been designated to handle inquiries and grievances regarding the non-discrimination policies. Jones County Junior College, 900 South Court Street, Ellisville, MS 39437.

ELLISVILLE– Approximately 100 of the 150 students earning their High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma at Jones College over the last year will be participating in a commencement ceremony held in the M.P. Bush Fine Arts Auditorium at Jones College on Thursday, July 25, at 7 p.m. Besides receiving their HSE diploma, during the ceremony, high scoring students will learn if they are a recipient of a scholarship to continue their education at Jones College.

Jones County Judge Wayne Thompson will be serving as the keynote speaker at the event. He has served as County and Youth Court Judge for Jones County for the past seven years. Prior to Judge Thompson taking the bench, he practiced law in Laurel for 22 years serving as the elected County Prosecuting Attorney of Jones County and the appointed board attorney for the Jones County Board of Supervisors, Economic Development Authority of Jones County, and South Mississippi Fair Commission along with having a general law practice. In his role as Youth Court Judge, he hears abuse, neglect, mental health and delinquency cases for children and youth of Jones County.

Judge Thompson holds degrees from Jones County Junior College, A.A., Mississippi State University, B.B.A., and the University of Mississippi, J.D. He and his wife Tina, a school counselor at Glade Elementary School, have been married for 27 years and they have three children: Taylor, a law student at Mississippi College School of Law; Peyton Grace, a graduate of Mississippi College who recently married Tanner Johnson, and Will, a recent graduate of South Jones and an incoming freshman at Ole Miss.  Judge Thompson is also an active member at Soso Baptist Church.

ELLISVILLE– In an effort to make college more affordable and tuition costs easier to understand, Jones College has changed its tuition and fee pricing model to a program-based tuition pricing structure. Administrators took the concerns of students and parents to heart and developed a pathway to ensure the institution’s “open-door” mission continues, while also helping its students thrive.

“In the 2024-25 academic year, the average Jones College student will save $200 per semester. This is the ultimate impact Jones College is aiming to have on our students and community. Affordability has always been and will continue to be an excellent benefit of attending Jones College,” said Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith.

Students like practical nursing major, Shatara Keyes of Louin, said she really likes the idea of saving money and expects other students will be excited about the savings too.  

“It sounds like it’s going to be something great coming to school, especially for people with low-income families and like, mothers going back to school. I think it’s going to be great!” said Keyes. She added, “It’s also going to be easier going through the one-page, all-inclusive program-based tuition sheet instead of the 14-page fee document I had to go through this semester to find the cost of tuition.”

Currently, the program-based tuition pricing for all full-time academic students seeking university parallel programs, which includes 12+ credit hours, is now $2,350 per term. A part-time student will pay $196 per course hour. Each of the Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and medical programs will also have an all-inclusive tuition cost with everything a student needs for that class. Smith stressed there are no hidden fees with this tuition restructuring.   

“Our instructional team worked diligently to identify every possible cost a CTE, or professional student may experience at JC, and wrap those costs up into one, clear price per program. The new pricing for Jones College’s CTE and professional programs accurately reflects all costs associated with that program,” Smith explained. “While this improves clarity of costs for our incoming students, it also helps our students identify the powerful return on investment they earn by taking on the challenge and completing the program.” 

A few other changes students will notice include the credit hours to qualify as a full-time student is now 12 hours, but the full-time scholarship and state-aid requirements will remain at 15 semester credit hours. Dual Credit tuition for academic programs will be a flat rate of $195 per seat. CTE programs will be priced based on the program and format.

Additionally, this fall, Jones College students are transitioning to a four-day class schedule allowing students to have a longer weekend with classes being offered Monday through Thursday. Classes begin on Monday, August 19. For more information about these changes at Jones College, click on the link: https://www.jcjc.edu/Fall_2024/

ELLISVILLE- He’s the first Jones College Music Industry & Recording Arts major to release a Contemporary Christian single and the first to debut the song to an international audience. Twenty-year-old Magee resident, Daniel Baldwin released his first single, “Instantaneous,” on June 15, 2024. It was recorded at the college’s music studio and on the college’s record label, Free State Records.

“I wrote it last summer in July and it’s about God’s forgiveness for us and how if we repent of our sins, the Lord is steadfast and insightful to forgive us instantaneously,” explained Baldwin. “I was always a perfectionist, so I always saw all the little things I did wrong, and it was harder for me to forgive myself, but I knew the Lord was steadfast to forgive us, even if we don’t forgive ourselves.”

The Meridian native wrote the song in July 2023, but he didn’t record it until March 2024. During a class with his Music Industry instructor, Matt McGuffie, he was called on to show off his piano skills. Shortly after, he shared the song, “Instantaneous” and recorded it in one-take before his entire class.

“He started playing and singing and myself, and the entire class were like, Wow! That’s really good and that was my first introduction to Daniel’s music,” said McGuffie. “I added an electric guitar part to add a little meat to the song, but he did all the rest; he wrote the song, performed it and did all the tracking of the voices, harmony, piano, and violin.”

But that was not the first time Baldwin performed his song, “Instantaneous” which is growing in popularity on Spotify with nearly 2,000 downloads and listeners. Shortly after writing it in 2023, Baldwin was in Poland on a mission trip and had the opportunity to perform the song before a live audience. Their response to his new song, dumbfounded him.

“They just started crying because they are craving Christianity, a different type of denomination than what they are familiar with and they were so happy that the younger people are passionately chasing the Lord,” said Baldwin.

Since he began piano lessons as a six-year-old, his musical and singing career has flourished exponentially. In June, his mission trip to Oaxaca, Mexico offered him a unique opportunity to not only share his music there, but with the entire Mexican Radio audience and Facebook Live. The Mexican missionary family his church, Audubon Drive Bible Church in Laurel supports, also owns a Christian Radio Station which invited him to perform.

Additionally, the rising singer/songwriter’s first major performance was on the piano before 19,000 people in Disney World for the Beta Convention as one of the State Talent Show winners in 2017 when he was 13 years old. At the time, it was Baldwin’s dream to be a concert pianist. Besides piano competitions and leading worship in area churches, his next big live performance was for his cousin’s wedding last October, before 500 guests in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C.

From the beginning, his grandparents, Don Nobles, a band director and Mamie Nobles, a church organist, supported his musical talent in numerous ways. However, Baldwin’s true talents may not have been discovered and cultivated if it wasn’t for his Ellisville teachers.

“I was about eight years old when we moved to Magee and started taking piano lessons from Ellen Gunn. That’s when I really fell in love with music and realized I had an ear for it. She was the first one to tell me that she thought I had a talent in music, which meant a lot to me,” shared Baldwin. “At Jones, Mr. McGuffie helped me really cultivate my passion in music and helped me make my dreams kind of come to life. He showed me how to do this in a wise way. Knowing the technical and the business side of the music industry is vital to the success of any music career.”  

With Baldwin’s song, “Instantaneous” being available on every streaming platform and another single expected to be released later this fall, Baldwin’s future plans are not final.

“I’m definitely going to pursue the music industry, but I may go to Belmont University. It is one of my top options or I may just go straight into the music industry. I’m just not 100 percent sure at this point,” Baldwin shared. “Whatever direction I go, I want to thank the Lord for this opportunity because without Him, it would not be possible.”

Baldwin will return to Jones College in the fall to finish his sophomore year with plans to continue writing and performing on campus and wherever he finds an opportunity. Click on the link to listen to Daniel Baldwin’s first single: Instantaneous by Daniel Baldwin

ELLISVILLE – Perhaps a little Disney “magic” helped Jones College’s FBLA students earn two, first-place trophies in national competition in Orlando, Florida recently. The 2024 Collegiate National Leadership Conference of Future Business Leaders of America, Inc., (FBLA) the nation’s largest Career and Technical Student Organization focused solely on business, attracted more than 1000 college students and educators from across the country, including 12 Jones College students.

“This is my 16th year as an advisor for FBLA at Jones College and this is the first time we’ve taken first place at national competition. The closest we’ve come is a second place win several years ago,” shared David Ray. “It was an amazing week with 12 talented Jones students. All of their hard work this year culminated in several top ten and two 1st place awards. I couldn’t be prouder of this group of students. I’m looking forward to displaying our national championship banners in our club room!”

Earning the top spot and ending the more than 20-year drought of first place wins for JC, were Laurel’s Jaythan Comegys and Vicksburg’s Barbara Ahlvin. They placed first in the nation in the Emerging Business Issues team event, beating out 35 other competitors. The Jones Team received the competition topic a few months in advance and prepared a slideshow discussing the positive and negative sides of the topic. Ray explained they decided to use two students bantering back and forth like it was friendly “debate” or argument, which the judges loved.

“My time in FBLA, culminating in this trip to Nationals, was the best of all of my time at Jones College. Our group grew in confidence, in professionalism, and in friendship, all while making joyous memories throughout the journey!” shared Ahlvin.

Comegys teamed up with another Laurel native, Danielle Parker in the State of Chapter event. Ray explained that teams from Co-Lin Community College and East Central Community College have dominated this event in the past and placed in the top ten at National’s multiple times. At the state competition, the Jones College team came in second place; just one point behind East Central and Co-Lin got third place. At national competition, East Central didn’t make the finals and Co-Lin didn’t compete.

“This past year we tripled the amount of activities/meetings/speakers/campus awareness for the club, and we initiated several outreach programs and provided a ‘cool’ club room for members. Because of our intense refocus on the club, we decided to try our hand at that event, which basically showcases your clubs’ activities for the year,” said Ray. “We were beyond excited at the awards program to have all of our work and effort this past year recognized nationally!

On the first attempt to compete in this category, the Jones College team’s presentation with Comegys and Parker beat out 27 other states’ presentations, earning them first-place in National competition. With two first-place trophies, Comegys returned to Jones County, grateful for the experience.

“The entire trip was amazing, beginning to end. Spending time with such a fun group and getting to work with talented students made for an unforgettable experience,” said Comegys.

The two-time first place national winner, also placed eighth in Impromptu Speaking. Additionally, Ahlvin also competed in Job Interview and Parker made the finals in Future Business Executive.

Other Jones College student winners included Terry Rogers of Quitman who placed sixth in Impromptu Speaking, and he also made the finals in Public Speaking. Matthew Taylor of Richland placed 10th in Entrepreneurship Pitch Competition, and he competed in Foundations of Entrepreneurship along with Walker Dear of Florence. The team of Raleigh’s Ethan Hammons and Logan Ingram, and Hattiesburg’s Ethan Noffke placed seventh in the Computer Science Case Competition. Hammons also competed in Foundations of Computer Science, and Noffke competed in the Foundations of Technology category. Also competing were Lance Hamilton of Waynesboro-Public Speaking; Deja Baskin of Laurel-Computer Applications and Raegan Drummer of Laurel-Foundations of Computer Science and Retail Management

FBLA’s National Leadership Conference brings together students to compete for cash prizes in dozens of competitive events over four days each year. Students also had the opportunity to engage in learning workshops, network with alumni, and meet with potential employers.