Category: Press Release

ELLISVILLE – While all University-Parallel (academic) courses are being taught completely online through Friday, September 4, at Jones College, some students taking medical courses and Career and Technical programs are cautiously meeting on campus. All students entering campus must meet a strict list of requirements to ensure the safety of everyone working and taking courses at any Jones College facility and to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

“The administration and faculty have been preparing for this possibility all summer. The online course plan is designed with students in mind as an effective, educational method,” said Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith.

Classes requiring face-to-face instruction and hands-on training, are meeting in smaller groups and students are spaced six feet apart in classrooms. Hattiesburg’s Brianna Frierson, an associate degree nursing major said she’s happy Jones College is making an extra effort to ensure their safety.

“Doing a daily health check, wearing a wrist band to easily identify those who are cleared to be on campus and having plenty of sanitizer available is great. This is what I have been doing before COVID-19 because I have family members that I care for at home. I do miss not being able to hang out on campus like before, but these extra measures are for the greater good,” Frierson noted.

Associate degree nursing major, Jenna Hillman of Greene County said the virus will not keep her from fulfilling her dream of being a nurse. Despite the extra precautions required to meet on campus like taking the health assessment, cleaning the classroom desks and wearing a mask.

“There are a lot of diseases out there. We can’t dwell on it. We must take precautions all the time and hope it doesn’t affect us as we progress forward. I know COVID-19 is a serious virus but my biggest concern is not getting to do clinical experience; simulations are not the same as the clinical setting,” said Hillman.

It is also virtually impossible to learn precision machining and manufacturing skills through online instruction. Laurel’s James Walters came to Jones College to learn how to use a drill press, lathe and CNC machine after finishing three years at Mississippi State University as a mechanical engineering major. He said he is glad to be in class, wearing a mask.

“It is what it is,” said Walters. “My concern is spreading the virus, so I’ll do what I have to in order to take classes.”

Precision machining and manufacturing instructor, Chase Elmore said he is better able to assist students coming to the machine shop at Jones College to not only learn skills and troubleshoot but to also teach them how to be good employees. Learning how to operate high-tech machinery and perfecting his skills, Walters said will help him earn his engineering degree while also having a better understanding of what works best when designing as a mechanical engineer.

“Having machining skills will also look good on a resume’ and knowing how to work these machines will help me better design useful tools, like the firearms I want to make,” said Walters.  “I still plan on finishing my degree at MSU but this way, I can save money and learn skills to help me after just one year of machining courses.”

For more information about how to register for MVCC online classes which begin August 24, check out the Jones College website at www.jcjc.edu

 

ELLISVILLE – Jones College’s Marketing and Sports Information Departments received a total of six awards during the virtual, College Public Relations Association of Mississippi’s annual 2019-2020 awards program. The conference and awards banquet was canceled in May to slow the spread of COVID-19. However, because entries for the annual awards competition were already received and being judged, the awards ceremony was held virtually on Monday, August 10.

Media and Public Relations Director, Teresa McCreery earned first place honors in the News Story category for her story on the three Jones College students who won Gold Medals at the SkillsUSA competition in 2019. Sports Information Director, Shawn Wansley also took first place for his Feature Story on the Jones County FCA Christmas Party.

The Marketing Department’s Special Publication, “JCJC Foundation-Generations of Giving” received second place honors. Members of the department include Gabe Bozeman, Megan Clark, Teresa McCreery, Clint McMullan, Lisa Purdum and Finee’ Ruffin. Social Media Coordinator, Megan Clark took home third place honors for her photo at the 2019 Commencement Ceremony capturing Science Department Chair, Eric Shows “high-fiving” graduate and former department secretary, Donna Bass. Clark also received the second-place award for the Public Relations Campaign, “Jones College Foundation Day of Giving 2019.”

Additionally, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information, Kevin Maloney and Sheila Cline won second place in the Sports Media Guide category for, “2019Jones College Football Guide.”

A complete list of winners is available on the CPRAM website at http://www.cpram.ms

ELLISVILLE – Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith announced at a virtual employee meeting late Wednesday (August 5), all University-Parallel (academic) courses would be taught completely online through Friday, September 4.  Noting that Jones County and the other seven counties comprised in the two-year college’s district, Clarke, Covington, Greene, Jasper, Perry, Smith and Wayne, and surrounding areas are reporting high rates of the Covid-19 virus. Based on the newest information from the state health officer, Dr. Thomas Dobbs and the CDC, delaying the start of classes on campus will help keep people safe, Smith explained.

“We are taking extraordinary measures to protect everyone on campus, our students, faculty, staff and guests, from getting Covid-19,” said Smith. “I think it’s necessary to move all academic classes to the online format to help reduce the spread of the virus.”

Career and Technical Education program courses will be taught online with a small group, face-to-face component, beginning Monday, August 10. Every student will need to log into their courses on Canvas on Monday, August 10.

“The administration and faculty have been preparing for this possibility all summer. The online course plan is designed with students in mind as an effective, educational method,” said Smith. “Hopefully, we will be able to safely bring students back on campus later this fall.”

Currently, students entering campus will have to complete a health survey on the new, JC Health App before being screened in person at one of the 20 health stations around campus. A wrist band will confirm every person on campus has met the health/safety requirements and will be allowed further entrance on campus.

“It will be challenging as we continue to give our students the best education while keeping safe. However, our faculty have met the challenge to adjust the curriculum to meet the needs of students taking classes online and face-to-face on campus, when it is safe to return,” said, Chief Academic Officer, Rick Youngblood.

For more information check out the Jones College website at www.jcjc.edu

ELLISVILLE -Jones College has announced the 2020 summer semester honor roll scholars.  Full-Time students with 15 hours or more and who maintain the following grade-point averages will make the honor roll: President’s List–4.0; Dean’s List–3.99-3.5: Faculty List–3.49-3.0.

Jones College     Summer Honor Roll     Faculty List  

Covington Mount Olive: Cherisse Nicole Blackwell.

Covington Seminary: Molly Elmore Graves.

Forrest Hattiesburg: Carlos O Garcia, John Christian Minor and Kedric A Reese.

Greene Leakesville: Sonja Vatasha Hill and Bridgette Ashley McLain.

Jasper Heidelberg: DeMarcus JeMario McCullum.

Jasper Laurel: Jaysen Clyde Doggett.

Jefferson Davis Silver Creek: Khaleah Alexandria Weathersby.

Jones Ellisville: Stephanie Guadalupe Cazares-Valdez, Justin James Collum, Dylan Thomas Meeks and Kassidy Roney.

Jones Laurel: Thomas E Brown, James William Hiram Corley, William Sley Lyon, Christauna Lawandria Sanson, Jarrett Nathaniel Stephens, Hayden Leigh Stokley and Dagan Asa White.

Jones Ovett: Hollie Grace Brooks.

Jones Sandersville: H.R. Ethan Crane.

Lamar Hattiesburg: Trina Marie Moore.

Lamar Sumrall: Scott Albert McMullen.

Marion Columbia: Kiara Shanice Foxworth.

Marion Foxworth: Victoria Jayde Russell.

Perry Richton: Matthew Kaleb Brewer and Allison Brooke Wigley.

Smith Raleigh: Elizabeth Violet Lee.

Wayne Waynesboro: Hailey Blair Atkins and James Hunter Grimes.

ELLISVILLE -Jones College has announced the 2020 summer semester honor roll scholars.  Full-Time students with 15 hours or more and who maintain the following grade-point averages will make the honor roll: President’s List–4.0; Dean’s List–3.99-3.5: Faculty List–3.49-3.0.

Jones College  Summer Honor Roll   Dean’s List

Fort Lawn, South Carolina: Joshua Tyrell Belk.

Covington Collins: Kevin Rashad Firle.

Covington Seminary: Ethan Corey Ingram.

Forrest Hattiesburg: Brittany Alexandria McGee and Whitney Katherine Smith.

Forrest Petal: Richard Myles Mooney.

Greene McLain: Jordan Diane Roberts.

Greene Richton: April Jeanette Henderson and Kaelyn Danielle Smith.

Jasper Heidelberg: Zarah Denyse Jones.

Jasper Louin: Jamie Elizabeth Ainsworth.

Jones Ellisville: Mark A Broom, Roby Taylor Hebert, Houston Forest Johnston, Perri Allyson Purvis and Jaylen Charles Smith.

Jones Laurel: William Perry Bush, Derra Maylen Dry, Shelby Nicole McMinn, Clifton Hollis Pitts, Lauren Larhae Powell, Harrison Scott Waltman and Bryce Alexander Ward.

Jones Soso: Abbigail A Williams.

Lamar Hattiesburg: Lindsay Rose Chambliss and Tanaisha Ty’tera Little.

Marion Columbia: Ta’Kyra  R’Reon Lampton.

Perry Beaumont: Hayden Benjamin Fairley.

Perry Richton: Dustin Mitchell Dunnam, Darrin James Rylee and Connor Joseph Sanderson.

Smith Taylorsville: Allie Elaine Eaton.

Wayne Shubuta: Jamaria S Mayfield.

Wayne Waynesboro: Kassidy Kiandria Gray and Demeco JaQuez Miller.