Dr. Jay Allen became the seventh president of Itawamba Community College on July 1, 2017 after serving as president and chief executive officer of Hopkinsville Community College in Kentucky since January 2014.

A native Mississippian, Dr. Allen has served in several leadership positions at Hinds Community College and as a senior-level administrator for Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College – Perkinston and the George County Center – for a combined total of 25 years. He earned the Associate of Arts degree from Hinds; the Bachelor of Science degree and the master’s degree, both from Mississippi State University; and the doctorate in higher education administration, from the University of Mississippi.

His experience includes both academic and career and technical education, student services, institutional development, information technology, business services, athletics, workforce and other non-credit areas. He currently serves on numerous local, state and national boards. He serves as Chair of the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges State Workforce Education Committee, President of the Mississippi Association of Colleges and Universities, Chair of the Mississippi Community College Foundation, Chair of the Mississippi Education Achievement Council responsible for the new statewide educational attainment goal, Co-Chair of the HERDI South Executive Board, Mississippi representative on the Community Colleges of Appalachia Board of Directors and is a member of the American Association of Community Colleges Board of Directors. He was nominated in 2019 by students and awarded the national Paragon Award recognizing college presidents who show exceptional dedication and support of student success by emphasizing academic achievement, leadership and service among high-achieving students at their college. Most recently, Dr. Allen was named as a 2023 Top CEO in the state of Mississippi by the Mississippi Business Journal.

Dr. Allen and his wife, Belinda, have two daughters, Emma Grace and Mollianne.