ELLISVILLE- Two Jones College students earned individual honors through the International Honor Society for two-year colleges, Phi Theta Kappa. Sophomore marketing and business administration major from Puckett, Brady Williams was selected to Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society’s All-Mississippi Academic First Team. Columbia High School 2003 graduate, Chanel Evans of Hattiesburg and formerly of Magee, was selected for Second Team honors.
“Chanel and Brady are two incredibly deserving honorees for this scholarship competition,” shared Eric Shows, JC Science Division Dean and PTK Advisor. “They genuinely represent the best of what we strive to honor in PTK and in our student body as a whole: scholarship, leadership, service and fellowship.”
At Jones College, Williams has served his peers as the president of both the Student Government Association and Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. He also is a manager for the Bobcat Tennis Men’s Team and he is a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. This summer, Williams has returned to work at his summer camp job at WinShape Camps through Chick-fil-A in Atlanta, Georgia through the Truett Cathey Organization.
“I am humbled by the honor of representing Jones College as a member of the All-Mississippi First Team and I’m thankful for the opportunities for both leadership and service I have been entrusted with during my years as a student at Jones College,” said Williams. “I’ve grown in so many ways that I didn’t think would be possible coming from a small town without many leadership opportunities. My advisors have encouraged me to set and reach goals that I did not dream were possible. My confidence in my leadership abilities has increased through their support and belief in me. A confident attitude motivates and inspires others. I have had such a positive experience with leading these organizations at Jones, that I hope I can continue to make a difference when I transfer to a university,” said Williams.
One of his goals as a leader in both organizations was to get students more involved in campus life and activities in a post Covid era. Through collaboration with fellow students and faculty members, Williams planned and organized several activities for students to come together to enjoy and meet new people.
“There were discouraging times when we would plan events and very few students would attend, but we would work together and find ways to get more students involved by utilizing different advertising techniques and getting key individuals to attend. We learned from this endeavor that there would be activities that drew more students than others and there were factors beyond our control that would affect involvement. We learned to persevere and not give up just because the activity was not as successful as expected. We learned to be patient and flexible with students who were reluctant to attend activities,” Williams shared. “One measure of our success has been the 5-star chapter rating that our PTK chapter received.”
Earning college degrees 20 years after earning her high school diploma seemed impossible to Chanel Evans. After a personal traumatic experience ended her college career before finishing her freshman year in 2004, she immersed herself in work. As a 16-year-old, Evans began working in the restaurant industry before taking on leadership roles at various restaurant corporations and becoming a personal fitness trainer. In 2021, Evans enrolled in Jones College to honor her younger brother, Rashad Evans who lost his life after having a stroke. He encouraged the then Krystal regional field training manager to return to college.
“I walked away from my academia and immersed myself in work and I thought I could just work the pain away and I needed to take time to heal. So, in that time away from school, I did find peace and God made me whole again. So, the greatest challenge thereafter was not the rematriculating but the actual reintegration into campus life and walking amongst my peers once more,” shared Evans. “That’s where PTK comes into play for me and really, Rho Sigma chapter Advisors, Sarah Ishee, Mark Brown and Eric Shows. They received me, a non-traditional student of color, trying to outrun the enigma that has subdued my urge to complete my academic pursuit for so long. They saw me! There wasn’t a barrier. I’m not a victim. I’m a survivor, and I’m more resilient now than ever before!”
Evans earned her Associate of Arts in Psychology in May 2023 at Jones and was honored to be nominated for the Merit Gold Key Award in addition to being named a 2023 USM Golden Scholar, earning a 4.0 GPA and inclusion in the Jones College President’s List Honor Roll and earning the PTK All-Mississippi Academic Award.
“To be awarded such an accolade has to be one of the most tremendous honors of my time. I’ve strived to always give the very best of me. I often hold myself to impossible standards because I’m such a perfectionist,” said Evans. “To also share in this honor with Brady, who is one of the most amazing individuals I’ve ever encountered, and I’ve had the privilege of serving alongside him, not just PTK but also SGA at Jones, is amazing.”
Evans has worked her way up to various leadership roles in the restaurant industry, including her current role as Field Training Manager: Franchise Development at The Wendy’s Company. In this role, she supports the training and operations of 351 restaurant teams from Ohio to Alabama. Evans also facilitates training and leadership classes, develops and certifies training, and disseminates product and educational brand initiatives, all while taking a full course load of online classes at Jones College. Over the past two years, the 38-year-old came to campus for PTK related events or service projects and meetings. Evans is now earning educational degrees as quickly and effectively as she did in the restaurant industry.
“I am a dual degree student earning a psychology and biz management technology degree at Hinds Community College and I have recently completed the Certificate program for Diversity Equity and Inclusion for Human Resources through Cornell University’s School Industrial Relations and Labor School. Also, I will complete my BSBA in Human Resources Management at Southern New Hampshire University by August, then continue my academia at Jones College for the 2023-2024 academic school year as a full-time, General Studies major. I will complete my BSBA at SNHU next fall ahead of my matriculation to Harvard Business School online to study Organizational Leadership.”
Ultimately, Evan’s career goal is to either work in the Diversity Equity & Inclusion field or secure a role as an Executive Leader with the ability to directly influence corporate culture and development. Meanwhile, as she continues to juggle her professional career and earn additional educational degrees, Evans plans to return next fall to Jones College in a leadership role with PTK while earning another degree.
“I have answered the call to serve as a Phi Theta Kappa officer for the 2023-2024 academic year; however, I have not opted for a specific leadership position,” explained Evans. “Nonetheless, I am committed to be of service in any capacity bestowed upon me to the very best of my ability. I am honored to contribute to Phi Theta Kappa, Jones College, and our community!”
The two JC students competed with more than 1,800 nominations from each of the 15-community colleges in Mississippi. As part of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society’s annual academic and workforce competition, each student submitted an essay, answered discussion questions, and described their leadership roles and activities while in college.
The highest scoring nominees from each of the 15 two-year colleges earned First Team All-Mississippi honors and $500 scholarships provided by the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges. All team members received special medallions, certificates, and printed resolutions from the Mississippi Legislature.