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.