ELLISVILLE – Four Â鶹ֱ˛Ą sophomore art majors, Gracie Allgood-Laurel, Juliet Tisdale-Ellisville, Kennedy Watts-Ellisville and Sarah Wilkerson-Olive Branch currently have several pieces of their artwork on display at the Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery on the campus of Â鶹ֱ˛Ą in Ellisville, through April. Â鶹ֱ˛Ą Art instructor, Melanie Eubanks said this year’s show features samples of the students’ work from the classes which include drawing and design to ceramics and painting. We cover all the bases. displaying their work in the Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery at Â鶹ֱ˛Ą as their last project before graduation.
Four Â鶹ֱ˛Ą sophomore art majors, pictured left to right in front, Sarah Wilkerson-Olive Branch and Gracie Allgood-Laurel, with Juliet Tisdale-Ellisville and Kennedy Watts-Ellisville pictured standing on the back row, currently have several pieces of their artwork on display at the Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery on the campus of Â鶹ֱ˛Ą in Ellisville, through April for the Sophomore Art Show.
“It’s good for the students to see their progression and get a taste of an artist’s life by planning for their sophomore art exhibition,” said Eubanks. “The Art Exhibition class is a required course for art students, but it also gives them the opportunity to show off their work and learn what pieces might be best to display.”
Additionally, Kennedy Watts earned a 3rd place ribbon for her painting, “Pride & Joy” at the Mississippi Community College Art Instructors Association annual competition.
Kennedy Watts paintings in the Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery at Â鶹ֱ˛Ą.
For more information about upcoming JC art shows or to arrange a visit to the gallery call 601-477-8401. The Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery is open Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., and by appointment only on Fridays. The gallery is closed during the holidays. To learn more about the Â鶹ֱ˛Ą Art Department, /programs/finearts/ or the JC Art Department’s social media: Facebook page, and on Instagram .
ELLISVILLE – As Â鶹ֱ˛Ą students finish the spring semester, administrators are encouraging students to sign up for classes while tuition is “Half Off” for most summer classes. This special summer tuition discount allows students to take classes at half the cost, and it is available for anyone who enrolls in summer classes at Â鶹ֱ˛Ą. Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Tessa Flowers, explained that offering half price tuition for the summer term is part of the college’s commitment to serving the community and supporting student success.
“Half price summer tuition is one way Jones is working to reduce financial barriers for our students and make college more affordable for our communities. It creates an opportunity for new students to begin their college journey and for returning students to get back on track or get ahead in their academic careers,” said Flowers.
Â鶹ֱ˛Ąâ€™s Summer 2026 schedule includes a variety of online and face-to-face options. The night class session is 10 weeks, running from May 25 through July 31, and features a Hybrid Math Night class. This option is perfect for students who need Intermediate Algebra or College Algebra but need flexibility, with a hybrid format that includes only five class meetings at just two hours each night. Intermediate Algebra meets on Thursdays from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on May 28, June 11, June 25, July 16, and July 30, while College Algebra meets on Tuesdays from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on May 26, June 9, June 23, July 14, and July 28.
Also offered this summer at Jones are two 4-week face-to-face sessions, with the first session running from Tuesday, May 26 through Monday, June 22 and the second from Monday, July 6 through Friday, July 31. Online options include the June session from June 1 through June 26, the July session from June 29 through July 24, and the WWW term from June 1 through July 24. In addition, truck driving courses are offered in two sessions, with session one running from May 26 through June 22 and session two from July 6 through July 31.
In addition to offering summer classes at the main campus in Ellisville, academic and Career & Technical Education options will be offered this summer at the Jasper, Clarke, Wayne, and Greene County Centers. To view the summer course listing visit for any of the summer term options. For Summer Session information, admissions application, summer classes and to find your enrollment services counselor, click on the link: /summer2026/
Â鶹ֱ˛Ą is also offering free CEU’s for Mississippi K-12 teachers needing additional endorsements or to renew a current K-12 Educator’s License. The free Â鶹ֱ˛Ą four-week courses are offered during the June summer session which begins Tuesday, May 26 through Monday, June 22.
To be eligible for the no-cost pricing, all participants must complete a Â鶹ֱ˛Ą Admissions Application. For a complete listing of the courses available and enrollment information, go to the website: /ceu/
For more information to enroll in summer or fall courses, and free CEU’s, contact Enrollment Management at (601) 477-4257, email, enrollmentservices@jcjc.edu, or online at: /enrollmentservices/
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 policies: (ADA/ Section 504) Sarah Jones, Director of Counseling & ADA Coordinator, Student Affairs, phone 601-477-4070; email ADACoordinator@jcjc.edu and (Title IX) Dr. Brittany Barron, Title IX Coordinator, 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 – Â鶹ֱ˛Ą Adult Education instructor, Thalia Jacquita Smith has been selected to represent Mississippi as the 2026 State Advocate for Adult Education Fellow which is a national honor recognizing leaders committed to advancing adult education policy and access. The fellowship, administered by the Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE), is a year-long program designed to develop leaders who advocate adult learners at the state and national levels. Participants engage in policy discussions, leadership training, and grassroots advocacy efforts aimed at increasing visibility and funding for adult education programs. Smith, who has worked in adult education for nearly a decade, said the opportunity is both professionally and personally meaningful.
“Being selected to participate in the State Advocate for Adult Education Fellowship is deeply meaningful because it affirms the importance of the work happening in adult education classrooms every day,” Smith said. “Through this fellowship, I’m able to represent the students and colleagues whose stories deserve to be heard at decision-making tables, but whose voices often get muted.”
For the past two-and-a-half years, Smith has been the adult education instructor at Â鶹ֱ˛Ąâ€™s Wayne County Center in Waynesboro. However, her career has focused on non-traditional education pathways, with previous roles in Alabama, Chicago, and a state correctional facility. She said her passion for adult education is rooted in its transformative impact.
“I believe education is not only about earning credentials; it’s about access and agency,” said Smith. “Adult learners are some of the most determined individuals I’ve ever met. Many are overcoming past setbacks while balancing work, family and financial strain, yet they continue to show up.”
Smith also shared that her advocacy is inspired by her family. Her grandmother, Lillie Mae Smith, earned her high school equivalency diploma later in life, creating new opportunities for future generations.
“To now serve as a fellow feels like coming full circle,” she said. “From seeing education transform generations at my family’s kitchen table to sitting at the policy table and helping ensure others have access to that same life-changing opportunity.”
Through the fellowship, Smith will participate in national and regional policy discussions while working alongside a network of advocates dedicated to strengthening adult education systems. The program has grown significantly since its launch in 2021 and now includes representatives from nearly every state. Smith said she hopes to gain a deeper understanding of policy and advocacy strategies to better support her students.
“I want to strengthen my ability to translate classroom realities into compelling data and stories that influence sustainable support for adult education,” she said. “Advocacy is an extension of teaching, and I see this fellowship as expanding my classroom beyond four walls.”
Director of Adult Education at Â鶹ֱ˛Ą, Tiffany Culpepper, praised Smith’s impact on both students and colleagues. Culpepper explained that Smith’s encouragement has helped many adult learners achieve goals they once thought were out of reach.
“Jacquita has proven to be an invaluable asset to our adult education team,” Culpepper said. “Collaborative and innovative, she consistently challenges colleagues and students alike to become the best versions of themselves. As a passionate advocate for her students, she not only believes in their potential but empowers them to believe in themselves.”
As part of the fellowship, Smith joins a growing network of more than 200 advocates nationwide who have played a role in shaping adult education funding and policy. Fellows have previously contributed to successful efforts to restore federal funding for adult education programs through coordinated grassroots advocacy. Smith said she plans to use the experience to ensure adult education remains a priority in broader conversations about workforce and community development.
“My goal is to amplify the voices of adult learners and build stronger bridges between educators and policymakers,”
she said. “Adult education should never be an afterthought, it’s essential to economic mobility and community well-being.”
COABE represents 55,000 adult educators that serve the more than 1.5 million adult learners nationwide. Its mission is to inspire educators, so adults succeed and communities thrive with the help of Fellows like Smith.
“This program has been incredibly successful since the launch of cohort one in 2021,” said Sharon Bonney, Chief Executive Officer of COABE, citing the Fellowship’s impressive accomplishments and measurable impact.
Last summer, when adult education funding was temporarily withheld, SAAEFs nationwide, in coordination with COABE, actively engaged with federal legislators to advocate for the field. Their intentional grassroots efforts were instrumental in securing the release of the funding, demonstrating the power of local advocacy to effect national change. Each year, the Fellowship continues to expand, and 2026 will mark the first time nearly every one of the 50 states in the nation will be represented by a State Advocate Fellow.
About COABE
COABE’s mission is to inspire educators so adults succeed and communities thrive. COABE exists to provide leadership, communication, professional development, and advocacy for adult education and literacy practitioners to advance quality services for all adult learners. COABE represents the field of 82,000 adult educators and provides a variety of services, including professional development through annual, state-of-the-art national conferences, more than 50 webinars annually, and a peer-reviewed journal. Learn more at COABE.org.
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 policies: (ADA/ Section 504) Sarah Jones, Director of Counseling & ADA Coordinator, Student Affairs, phone 601-477-4070; email ADACoordinator@jcjc.edu and (Title IX) Dr. Brittany Barron, Title IX Coordinator, 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 — Â鶹ֱ˛Ą Media & Public Relations Director, Teresa McCreery of Ellisville joins 16 individuals selected as finalists for the 2026 Mississippi Pinnacle Awards, presented by Sales & Marketing Professionals of Hattiesburg. Finalists will be honored during a black-tie optional seated dinner gala on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Lake Terrace Convention Center in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The evening will feature live entertainment and recognition of finalists from across the state, along with five distinguished Humanitarian honorees.
“With so many talented professionals across the state, I am truly humbled to be selected as a finalist and would like to thank the person who nominated me. To be honored at the pinnacle of my career, and as I plan for retirement, I’m grateful for the many opportunities to work with the amazing professionals and students throughout my career,” said McCreery.
The Mississippi Pinnacle Awards recognize excellence, professionalism, innovation, and outstanding achievement in sales, marketing, leadership, and community engagement. The event brings together business leaders, entrepreneurs, nonprofit organizations, and community influencers from throughout Mississippi for an evening of statewide celebration.
McCreery was selected as a finalist in the Bud Kirkpatrick Professional Award-Individual Finalist category in recognition of the various roles she’s held over the almost 29 years at Â鶹ֱ˛Ą. Leaving TV-News after 10 years as an anchor/reporter for WDAM-TV in Hattiesburg, MS and at KTCB-TV in Omaha/Council Bluffs, Iowa, McCreery embarked on a new career path in 1997 as the Director of Media and Public Relations at Â鶹ֱ˛Ą. She has assisted with the coordination of JC’s recruiting events, recruiting publications and she has been responsible for the design and implementation of all advertising production and placement, in addition to managing student tours and news event coverage for the college for the first nine years of her career. During the last 20 years, she has filled various roles in Marketing, Public Relations, Recruiting and Alumni Affairs in addition to coordinating the Top of Class recognition program with WDAM-TV.
“Ironically, I have coordinated publicity throughout my career, and I prefer putting others in the spotlight,” said McCreery. “Since I am being honored, I want to thank Â鶹ֱ˛Ą for allowing me to share the inspiring stories of so many students and alumni over the years, while also giving me the opportunity to educate and expose my daughter to so many inspiring people over the years while working on campus. It has been a unique education and work opportunity for us both!”
Throughout her career, McCreery has been honored for her writing, photography, publications and event coordination by the College Public Relations Association of Mississippi and the Pine Belt Chapter of Public Relations Association of Mississippi, in addition to the Mississippi Broadcaster’s Association for projects with WDAM-TV.
The MS Pinnacle Awards Gala serves as the primary fundraiser supporting the Rising Star Student Achievement Awards, which includes a financial award for future leaders pursuing business-related fields. Through this initiative, Sales & Marketing Professionals invest in the continued growth and development of Mississippi’s next generation of business professionals.
Sponsorship opportunities and event tickets are available for those wishing to celebrate the honorees and support this statewide initiative. As a fund under the Pinebelt Foundation, donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
To attend the 2026 Mississippi Pinnacle Awards or to become a sponsor, visit:
About Sales & Marketing Professionals
Sales & Marketing Professionals is a nonprofit networking organization dedicated to fostering meaningful connections among sales and marketing professionals throughout Mississippi. The organization provides opportunities for professional development, dynamic programming, and statewide networking events designed to elevate leadership and excellence across industries.
Funds raised through the Mississippi Pinnacle Awards support the Rising Star Student Achievement Awards. The Pinnacle Awards operate as a fund under the Pinebelt Foundation. The awards are funded in part by a grant from Visit Hattiesburg.
