ELLISVILLE – Fifteen Â鶹ֱ˛Ą faculty and staff members were recently honored for their workplace accomplishments over the previous academic year. The Employee Appreciation Awards began in 2004 with funds contributed by retired JCJC President, Dr. Ronald Whitehead, and the college’s Foundation, Inc. Finalists were selected and interviewed by the Faculty and Staff Recognition Program’s Selection Committee. Prior to the employee recognition program, a brunch was provided by the college and the JCJC Foundation Inc.
The Leadership Award for Administrative Excellence was established nine years ago to honor a mid-level administrator whose commitment to the profession stands out amongst their peers. Vice President of Enrollment Management, Dr. Amanda McLeod, was selected as the recipient of the 2025-2026 Leadership Award for Administrative Excellence. Â鶹ֱ˛Ą President, Dr. Jesse Smith praised McLeod’s abilities over the 12 years she has served at Â鶹ֱ˛Ą. In addition to overseeing recruiting, advising, admissions, financial aid and the Bobcat Brigade ambassadors, she is a wife and mother of two children, and she recently earned her doctorate degree in education, in addition to serving her community.
Â鶹ֱ˛Ą Vice President of Enrollment Management, Dr. Amanda McLeod (center), was selected as the recipient of the 2025-2026 Leadership Award for Administrative Excellence, presented by Executive Vice President and CFO, Christy Holifield (left) and Vice President of External Funding, Sabrina Young (right).
English instructor, Matthew Craft received the Barbara & Gary Sauls Award for Excellence in Teaching Humanities. The scholarship and awards committee acknowledged how the Humanities Division instructor exemplifies intellectual integrity in the classroom, and has encouraged analytical thinking skills, he loves humanitarian pursuits and fosters a positive rapport with his students. This award was initiated by JCJC alumni, Mr. & Mrs. Gary W. “Buddy” and Barbara Sauls. Their daughter, Tracy, was a 1990 JCJC graduate. Mr. Sauls was a former JCJC Board of Trustees member and Barbara Sauls is currently on the JCJC Foundation’s Advisory Board. Means was awarded a $500 cash prize and an acrylic plaque.
English instructor and recipient of the Barbara & Gary Sauls Award for Excellence in Teaching Humanities is pictured in the center, Matthew Craft with Executive Vice President and CFO, Christy Holifield (left) and Vice President of External Funding, Sabrina Young.
In the individual employee appreciation honors, 12 individuals from three categories of employees, faculty members, office staff and administrative support, and employees working in maintenance, housekeeping, campus grounds and campus police were each awarded certificates of achievement. Faculty finalists each received a cash prize of $250, and the overall winner received an additional $750 and an acrylic plaque. Each staff employee finalist was awarded a cash prize of $125, and the overall winner received an extra $500 and an acrylic plaque.
Executive Vice President and CFO, Christy Holifield (left) and Vice President of External Funding, Sabrina Young (right) presented the Faculty Member of the Year, Dr. Tasha Reynolds (right 2nd from end) with a check and plaque. The three faculty nominees are pictured left to right, Jasper County Workforce CDL, NCCER Core, Forklift, OSHA and plumbing instructor-Lee Baliett; Electrical/Electro-Mechanical Technology-Greg Griffith and A.D. Nursing instructor-Kimberly Maddox.Ěý
Finalists for the faculty awards included Jasper County Workforce CDL, NCCER Core, Forklift, OSHA and plumbing instructor-Lee Baliett; Electrical/Electro-Mechanical Technology-Greg Griffith; A.D. Nursing instructor-Kimberly Maddox and the overall winner, biology instructor and Faculty Member of the Year, Dr. Tasha Reynolds.
Executive Vice President and CFO, Christy Holifield (left) and Vice President of External Funding, Sabrina Young (right) presented, Arts, Music and Performance administrative secretary-Paula Harrison; Business/Student accounts-Karley Parrish and Enrollment Management-Tara Dupree, who were nominated for the Office Staff Member of the Year, with Allyson Knotts (right 2nd from end) with a check and plaque as the overall winner and Office Staff Member of the Year.
Nominated for the Office Staff and Administrative Support Employee of the Year Award were Arts, Music and Performance administrative secretary-Paula Harrison; Business/Student accounts-Karley Parrish; Enrollment Management-Tara Dupree and selected as the Office Staff and Administrative Support Employee of the Year, Marketing Project Manager-Allyson Knotts.
Three employees from Â鶹ֱ˛Ąâ€™s transportation, grounds, maintenance, housekeeping and police departments, (pictured left to right) Campus Police Deputy-Brandon Evans; Groundskeeper-Michael Tran and were nominated for the award with Doug Messemore (2nd from right end) from maintenance capturing the title, Employee of the Year from Executive Vice President and CFO, Christy Holifield (left) and Vice President of External Funding, Sabrina Young (right).Ěý
In the maintenance, housekeeping, campus grounds, transportation and campus police department division, three people were nominated. Campus Police Deputy-Brandon Evans; Groundskeeper-Michael Tran and from maintenance and overall winner, Doug Messemore.
Sodexo cafeteria employee and honorary employee of the college, Desmond Newell, (center) was recognized for his work and received a $500 cash award for his efforts on behalf of the college from Executive Vice President and CFO, Chris ty Holifield (left) and Vice President of External Funding, Sabrina Young (right).
Sodexo cafeteria employee andan honorary employee of the college, Desmond Newell, was recognized for his work. He received a $500 cash award for his efforts on behalf of the college.
ELLISVILLE – After more than two decades in law enforcement, the newly hired Â鶹ֱ˛Ą Campus Police Chief, Jake Driskell is bringing a renewed focus on professionalism, visibility and community policing to the college’s campus. The 42-year-old Driskell, who officially stepped into the role in April, said the opportunity to serve at Â鶹ֱ˛Ą came at the right time in his career after years of working narcotics investigations and training officers across South Mississippi.
“I was ready for a change in pace,” Driskell said. “My passion has always been training, and this just seemed like a no-brainer.”
He began his law enforcement career in 2005 in Newton, before serving with the Ellisville Police Department, the Laurel Police Department and most recently the Jones County Sheriff’s Office. Much of his career since 2017 focused on narcotics enforcement which is a demanding field he described as a “24/7” job.
“Holidays, weekends, we were never off,” he said. “That’s just the nature of the beast. While I enjoy working in narcotics I wanted to move into a role where I could focus more on leadership, officer development and campus safety,” said Driskell.
Since arriving at Â鶹ֱ˛Ą, Driskell has been able to fully staff the department with nine full-time officers and six part-time officers. One ofhis first initiatives, has also been to create a more unified and visible police presence on campus.
“We’re actually going to a uniform where everybody will look the same because I want the people on campus to know what their campus police officers look like,” he said.
Driskell emphasized that community policing will remain at the center of the department’s mission with officers being more visible. The goal he said is to make this a running, functioning police department. He added that he wants students, faculty and staff to feel comfortable approaching officers and viewing them as part of the campus community.
“We’re going to train, get up to date, and hopefully never have to use any of it,” Driskell said. “But we want to be prepared.”
Among the department’s planned upgrades are new uniforms, bulletproof vests and the implementation of tasers that had not previously been put into service. Driskell said officer preparedness is critical, even on a college campus.
“The number one killer of a law enforcement officer is complacency,” he said. “I would much rather tell a wife or a husband that their spouse is coming home because they got shot in a vest rather than saying we didn’t think it was needed.”
Driskell also hopes to expand Â鶹ֱ˛Ąâ€™s role beyond campus policing by turning the college into a regional law enforcement training hub.
“I want Jones to be known as a training ground for police,” he said. “I want officers within 60 or 70 miles to think of Â鶹ֱ˛Ą when they think about law enforcement training.”
He said the college’s facilities, including the hospital simulation center, provide opportunities for realistic training scenarios and continuing education for area officers. In addition to his law enforcement background, Driskell served four years in the Army National Guard, where he worked as a missile systems technician and completed a deployment to Iraq. Though eligible for retirement next year because of his years of service and military time, Driskell said he has no plans to slow down.
“My plan is to stay here for quite a while,” he said. “I’ve got a lot more to give.”
As he settles into the Campus Police Chief role, Driskell said his goal is simple: build trust, increase visibility and ensure Â鶹ֱ˛Ą continues to provide a safe environment for students and employees.
“Uniformity is the number one thing, being seen, making the faculty and staff feel safe,” he said.
A Jones County resident, Driskell recently celebrated his 21st wedding anniversary with his wife, Melanie. Their daughter is currently attending Â鶹ֱ˛Ą on a soccer scholarship, while their son plans to enroll at JC this fall.
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; emailĚýADACoordinator@jcjc.eduĚýand (Title IX) Dr. Brittany Barron, Title IX Coordinator, Hutcheson Hubbard Administration Building, phone 601-477-4127; emailĚýbrittany.weatherford@jcjc.edu. Jones County Junior College, 900 South Court Street, Ellisville, MS 39437.
ELLISVILLE – Two Â鶹ֱ˛Ą students earned individual honors through the International Honor Society for two-year colleges, Phi Theta Kappa (PTK). Sophomore agriculture science major, Anna Laura Haden of Stringer was selected to Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society’s All-Mississippi Academic First Team. Callee Knotts of Soso, an agriculture communications major, was selected for Second Team honors. Their agriculture science advisor, Leanne Kilgore, is especially thrilled to have two of her students selected for this esteemed award.
“As an advisor, I am incredibly proud of our outstanding agricultural majors for earning the prestigious Phi Theta Kappa Academic Excellence Award. This honor reflects not only their exceptional academic performance, but also their dedication, leadership, and commitment to excellence in all they do,” said Kilgore. “These young women have consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic and a genuine passion for the field of agriculture. They represent the very best of our program, and it has been a privilege to watch them grow both academically and personally during their time at Â鶹ֱ˛Ą.”
In addition to her academic load, Anna Laura Haden is an active member of PTK and is a photographer for the college yearbook, and she volunteers as a youth leader at her church and at the Veteran’s Memorial Museum in Laurel. She plans to pursue a degree in agriculture science at Mississippi State University.
Callee Knotts & Anna Laura Haden
“Receiving this award is an honor as it reflects the time, effort and dedication into my studies,” said Haden. “Growing up on the farm fueled my love for agriculture. Despite the demands of caring for animals and crops, I had to overcome the daily challenge of chronic hip pain and headaches.”
Haden said she focused on helping others such as assisting others with preparing for 4-H competitions. Taking the initiative to help younger members build confidence and being their support system, improved her confidence and leadership abilities.
“Through this experience, I learned that leadership isn’t about titles. It is about lifting others up. Helping younger 4-H members grow reminded me of how powerful encouragement can be and it strengthened my commitment to serving my community with respect, dedication and kindness,” said Haden.
PTK All-Mississippi Academic 2nd Team Member, Callee Knotts served as the President of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and was a member of the Bobcat Brigade and JC Livestock Show Team. She was also involved in FFA as a chapter officer for Jones County 4-H in her youth and high school. Additionally, Knotts played sports, helped on the family farm and served as a member of the Jones County Future Leaders. At times, Knotts said she felt overwhelmed by her responsibilities growing up yet she learned some valuable lessons that helped her through college.
“Being involved is a wonderful opportunity because it allows you to network, develop leadership and learn valuable life skills. However, it’s also important to show yourself grace and recognize that it’s okay to slow down and focus on what matters most in the moment,” said Knotts. “You can’t give 100 percent to everything at the same time without eventually wearing yourself down. Through this challenge, I realized you have to prioritize what is most important for that season or time.”
In addition to being named to the All-Mississippi Academic Team, Knotts was nominated for the Golden Key Award. As the Golden Key selection from Rho Sigma chapter at Â鶹ֱ˛Ą, advisors recognized her many talents.
“Callee is a powerhouse of a campus presence, busy hosting events with Bobcat Brigade, washing and showing cows as part of Bovine Husbandry through our college Show Team and using all these opportunities to mention and highlight Phi Theta Kappa,” said PTK Advisor, Dr. Caleb Smith.
Knotts was surprised by the award and grateful for the opportunities PTK has allowed her to experience. Her mission has been to show others the many benefits of PTK and being involved on campus and in the community.
“Both of these honors mean a lot to me because I always try hard in everything I do, while trying to be involved in everything! Even though I may get stretched out and super busy, I appreciate the fact that they recognize my efforts and nominated me for this award,” said Knotts.
The two JC students competed for selection on the All-Mississippi Academic Team 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.
ELLISVILLE – The largest graduating class in the history of the Associate Degree Nursing program at Â鶹ֱ˛Ą celebrated more than academic achievement during the college’s Spring 2026 Pinning and Lamp Lighting Ceremony. For many graduates, the day represented perseverance, faith, family support and dreams fulfilled after years of sacrifice. Sixty nursing graduates crossed the stage during the ceremony, marking a milestone for the program and the surrounding healthcare community.
“This group you see on stage is a special one,” said Mike Cummings, program director of the Associate Degree Nursing program. “Besides, they have worked together in creating knowledge that helped them become our largest graduating class.”
Cummings said the growing number of graduates comes at a critical time for healthcare providers across the region.
Dr. Jesse Smith, President
“We know there’s a need out there for nurses and these students are ready to meet that need,” he said.
Â鶹ֱ˛Ą President, Dr. Jesse Smith praised the graduates and faculty for meeting the increasing demand for healthcare professionals while also highlighting the broader impact nurses have on families and communities.
“There is not one program that will return a higher investment on the community than an associate degree nursing student,” Smith told the audience. “A nurse is more than just somebody who takes care of you. They are a vital economic engine for life, health and wealth in our state.”
Smith also credited the expansion of the program and the college’s health simulation center for helping Â鶹ֱ˛Ą produce its largest graduating class.
“We made a commitment,” Smith said. “The legislature said they would support us if we doubled the output of nurses, and here we are today.”
Abby Shows, Class President addresses the class at the Pinning Ceremony
For class president Abby Shows of Richton, the ceremony reflected the close bond formed among classmates during the demanding five semester program.
“The closeness this group has is something that I will always cherish,” Shows said during her remarks. “The friendship nursing school has brought me is nothing short of irreplaceable.”
Shows thanked classmates for supporting one another through long clinical days, stressful exams and personal struggles.
“In a world full of people that say when you go to nursing school, be careful and watch your back because you’re going to be on your own, we never had to because we had each other’s,” she said.
Brinna Moss and Lyndi Pryor
Among the graduates celebrating together were mother and daughter Lyndi Pryor and Brinna Moss of Laurel. Forty-one-year-old Pryor has worked as a licensed practical nurse for 10 years and said becoming a registered nurse had been a long-term goal. After narrowly missing completion of another RN program by two-tenths of a point, she enrolled in Â鶹ֱ˛Ąâ€™s bridge program, unexpectedly alongside her daughter.
“I am graduating with my daughter and that means the world to me,” Pryor said. “We have both leaned on each other. She’s given me strength and I’ve given her strength and we’ve helped each other get through it together.”
Pryor described the moment as the culmination of more than a decade of hard work and perseverance.
“Being an RN has been my goal for a while, so being able to share this moment with my daughter has meant a lot to me,” she said.
Pryor’s 21-year-old daughter, Brinna Moss, said faith carried her through the challenges of nursing school.
“I would definitely say the Lord has gotten me here today,” Moss said. “It’s been a tough road over the last two years, but it’s definitely been worth it.”
She admitted balancing her own studies while worrying about her mother added another emotional layer to the experience.
“I wanted her to pass with me because that’s a very big deal,” Moss said. “There’s been a lot of tears and excitement. It’s a special moment to be able to do this with her.”
Kaylyn Walters (center) of Moselle, celebrates earning her A.D. Nursing degree with her mother, Deanna Cluff (left end), her father, Craig Cluff (right middle), her husband, Ethan Walters (right end) and her 5-month-old baby, Kay whom she’s holding and her 4 year old daughter, with Hallie (front center).
Kaylyn Walters of Moselle also returned to school after years of working as a licensed practical nurse in an OB-GYN clinic.
“I knew that I could do more,” Walters said. “Today is important to me and I’m just thankful that the Lord gave me the opportunity to be here today.”
Walters said the support of her family helped her persevere through the program.
“Having them here means the world to me. I couldn’t have done it without them,” she said.
Another family connection highlighted during the ceremony involved sisters Sidney Walters of Hattiesburg and Hannah Brady of Madison.
Sidney Walters and Hannah Brady
Sidney Walters has been working as an R.N. for more than two years after graduating from Â鶹ֱ˛Ą. Watching her younger sister complete the program was emotional because Brady had supported her through nursing school.
“She lived with me while I was in nursing school and was very supportive,” Sidney Walters said. “I’m so proud of her.”
Brady, who previously earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education before feeling called into healthcare, said seeing her sister’s passion for nursing inspired her career change.
“I just saw how much she loved it and how much of a vessel she was,” Brady said. “I feel the Lord calling me, so I’m going to be obedient, and now I’m here.”
Brady said sharing the milestone with her sisters made the day even more meaningful.
“One thing that unites us is our relationship with Christ,” she said. “It’s so special to be able to share this with my sister.”
Abbie Trejo Madrigal pinned by Mike Cummings
During the ceremony, graduates recited the Florence Nightingale Pledge before receiving the traditional Maltese Cross nursing pin, symbolizing their entrance into the profession and their permanent place in the Â鶹ֱ˛Ą nursing family. Cummings said the graduates overcame not only the rigors of nursing school, but also the challenges of everyday life.
“They have all the challenges of life going on,” Cummings said. “That doesn’t stop while they’re in nursing school. They’re dealing with all of that plus the rigors of the nursing curriculum.”
Despite those demands, many graduates already have jobs lined up in hospitals and clinics across Mississippi, helping address the growing nursing shortage throughout the state.
ELLISVILLE – Thirty Â鶹ֱ˛Ą faculty and staff members were recently honored for their years of service to the college during a special Employee Appreciation program. Administrators and the JC Foundation treated the Â鶹ֱ˛Ą faculty and staff to a spring brunch and awards ceremony. JC administrators honored employees for their service at five-year increments, beginning with those who have served at least five years.
EVP of Business Affairs, CFO, and Human Resources Director, Christy Holifield (left) and VP for Advancement, Sabrina Young (right) are picturedwith Mary Abbey (center left) the Administrative Assistant for Radiology and Regina Clark, (center right) the Administrative Assistant for the Academic Dean who were honored for her 35-years of service to the college during the Employee Appreciation Brunch.Ěý
EVP of Business Affairs, CFO, and Human Resources Director, Christy Holifield (left) and VP for Advancement, Sabrina Young (right) are picturedwith Piano and Fine Arts instructor, Dr. Theresa Sanchez (center ) was honored for working 30-years at the college during the Employee Appreciation Brunch.Ěý
Topping the number of service years was the administrative assistant for the Academic Dean, Regina Clark with 35 years of employment at Â鶹ֱ˛Ą. Mary Abbey, the administrative assistant for Radiology was recognized for 30 years of consecutive service, however she has a total of 35 years of service after taking a short break. Piano and fine arts instructor, Dr. Theresa Sanchez has also been working at Â鶹ֱ˛Ą for 30 years.
Seven employees have accumulated 25 years of experience working at the college, including Carson Atwood-Social Science instructor, Ashley Beard-V.P. of Instruction, Wesley Dixon, Jr.-Librarian/ACT Coordinator, Tara Dupree-Enrollment Management, Sonya Graves-Payroll Coordinator, Kelly Robinson-Dean of eLearning, and Michael Tisdale -Maintenance.
Seven Â鶹ֱ˛Ą employees were recently honored for their 25 years of employment at the annual Employee Appreciation Brunch and are pictured left to right, Kelly Robinson-Dean of eLearning, Carson Atwood-Social Science instructor, Ashley Beard-VP of Instruction, Wesley Dixon Jr.-Library Services, Tara Dupree-Enrollment Management and Sonya Graves-Business Office, with EVP of Business Affairs, CFO, and Human Resources Director, Christy Holifield (left end) and VP for Advancement, Sabrina Young (right end). Not pictured is Michael Tisdale-Maintenance.
Mark Brown-20 years
There were two employees honored for completing 20 years of service in 2025 including art instructor, Mark Brown and EMT/Health Services provider, Kristen Register. Additionally, there were only two employees, Dr. Victoria Johnson-Piano & Fine Arts instructor and Kandace Martin-Business & Technology instructor, who completed 15 years of service at Â鶹ֱ˛Ą.
Nine employees began serving the college 10 years ago including Latishea Crabtree-Greene County Learning Center Administrative Assistant; Brad Ellzey-Automotive/Diesel instructor; Ashley Garick-Practical Nursing instructor; Dr. Kisha Jones-Social Science instructor; Dr. Bharath Kandula-Physics instructor; Gwen Matuszewski-Adult Basic Education/ HSE Prep instructor; Billy Miller-Commercial Truck Driving instructor; Chris Odom-Social Science instructor, and Jamie Williams-Dual Enrollment Coordinator.
Nine Â鶹ֱ˛Ą employees were recently honored at the Employee Appreciation Brunch for working 10 years at Jones. Pictured left to right seated is, Gwen Matuszewski- Adult Basic Education/ HSE Prep instructor, Brad Ellzey-Automotive/Diesel instructor, Latishea Crabtree-Greene County Learning Center Administrative Assistant, Dr. Bharath Kandula-Physics instructor, Dr. Kisha Jones-Social Science instructor and Ashley Garick-Practical Nursing instructor. Not pictured is Billy Miller-Commercial Truck Driving instructor, Chris Odom-Social Science instructor and Jamie Williams-Dual Enrollment Coordinator.
More than five years ago, seven people joined the Â鶹ֱ˛Ą family. The honorees include Jon Ryan Fennell-Alumni & Foundation Data Strategist, Kimberly Maddox-Associate Degree Nursing instructor, Seth Pierce-Electrical instructor, Tara Pitts-Campus Operations Administrative Assistant, Michael Trest-VP of Innovation & Instruction Design, and Ty Walters-Information Technology.
Seven Â鶹ֱ˛Ą employees were recently honored at the Employee Appreciation Brunch for working five years at Jones and are pictured left to right, Ty Walters-Information Technology, Tara Pitts-Campus Operations Administrative Assistant, Seth Pierce-Electrical instructor, Kimberly Maddox-Associate Degree Nursing instructor, Jon Ryan Fennell- Alumni & Foundation Data Strategist, and Dr. Michael Trest-VP of Innovation & Instruction Design.
Each honored employee was given a special item designed for each level of achievement: 5 years-small plaque; 10 years-large plaque; 15 years-clock; 20 years-small acrylic trophy; a medium sized acrylic trophy is given to those with 25 and 30 years and employees with 35 or more years, receive a large plaque.Ěý
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; emailĚýADACoordinator@jcjc.eduĚýand (Title IX) Dr. Brittany Barron, Title IX Coordinator, Hutcheson Hubbard Administration Building, phone 601-477-4127; emailĚýbrittany.weatherford@jcjc.edu. Jones County Junior College, 900 South Court Street, Ellisville, MS 39437.
