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ICC breaks ground on Commercial Truck Driving Training Center

Itawamba Community College broke ground today (Oct. 21) for its Commercial Truck Driving Training Center which will be located at the new driving range across the street from the Tupelo Campus at 2176 So. Eason Blvd.             The 8,504-square-foot facility will include multiple truck bays, lab with a truck driving simulator, classroom, exterior wash bay, three offices and storage space.             “Today we break ground on a facility that will not only enhance our institution but will also help us to better meet a need in our region and beyond,” said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. “This new Commercial Truck Driving Training Center symbolizes more than the start of another construction project, but represents our continued commitment to education, workforce development and the future of our students. Our goal, as always, is to provide sustainable pathways to success, and this center will do just that by providing a space for our students to learn and train for a critical role in today’s economy.”             ICC Vice President of Career and Workforce Education Barry Emison shared the importance of the trucking industry ...

ICC's Beta Tau Sigma chapter of Phi Theta Kappa receives Honors in Action grant

Itawamba Community College’s Beta Tau Sigma Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa has received a $1,000 Honors in Action grant to enhance its 2024 Honors in Action project, according to a recent announcement by the honor society.             Adviser Jenny Bowers said that the chapter is researching Native American stories, specifically the Chickasaw story of Itawamba, and a tentative title is ‘Native American Folklore.’ The multilevel endeavor includes a presentation at ICC on Nov. 6, which the chapter hopes to repeat at the Natchez Trace Visitor’s Center, and construction of a story tree for the events that they plan to donate to the Lee County Library at the project’s conclusion. Other components include a children’s book about Itawamba for ICC’s Early Learning Center students.             The grant will cover materials for the tree, honoraria for speakers and additional supplies needed for the presentation or book. “We are excited to be among the select few Mississippi/Louisiana PTK chapters that received the grant,” Bowers said.             “We so appreciate your willingness to go above and beyond with your Phi Theta Kappa engagement to apply ...

ICC to host Code Blue and Red event, Oct. 25

Itawamba Community College’s Health Sciences Division will host a Code Blue and Red event from 8:30 a.m.-noon, Oct. 25, in the Health Science Education Center at the Tupelo Campus. Students from area schools will be on campus in two shifts (8:15 and 10:15 a.m.) to participate in three simulated scenarios that highlight each of ICC’s 11 Health Science programs, said Michael Holloway, director of recruitment and orientation. A North Mississippi Medical Center ambulance will arrive, and the students will see first-hand the need for and the role healthcare professionals play in the process. “It will be an impactful program,” Holloway said. “Our hope is that these students see the ‘real-life’ expertise used by the graduates of ICC’s programs.” Participating programs include students and faculty from Associate Degree Nursing, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Emergency Medical Sciences, Health Information, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapist Assistant, Practical Nursing, Public Health, Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Care and Surgical Technology. Dean of Health Science Instruction Tonya Vaughn said that this event will be an exceptional interprofessional education opportunity. “IEP is a new emphasis area in healthcare education. The goal ...

Upcoming ICC Paralegal Technology celebration coincides with national commemoration

Itawamba Community College’s Paralegal Technology program has scheduled a special celebration, Oct. 23 to coincide with the commemoration of a national event.             Its 2024 National Paralegal Day Celebration from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Academic and Student Center lobby on the Tupelo Campus will enable participants to mix and mingle with area industry members, especially those in the profession and attorneys, as well as to learn more about ICC’s Paralegal Technology program and the paralegal profession, according to director Haley Carpenter.             She has a variety of student stories to share regarding the importance of ICC’s Paralegal Technology program. “One student said that she and her mother experienced a hard time after her father died intestate (without a will). They worked with the probate court to settle his estate, and the process was confusing. She wanted to become a part of a legal team to ensure her clients that they would have an advocate in their corner.”             Another student, who was the child of a bitter divorce and custody battle, wants to be a voice for the children and help ...

'Flowers of Fulton' on display in ICC Gallery through Oct. 30

The paintings of Fulton resident John Underwood are now on display in Itawamba Community College’s W.O. Benjamin Fine Arts Center Gallery at the Fulton Campus.                 His exhibition entitled “Flowers of Fulton,” consists of 16 acrylic paintings depicting colorful arrangements of flower bouquets that he says, “were grown here in Fulton.” Underwood, who is an art and antique dealer by trade, graduated from IAHS in 1988 and attended ICC the following year. Additional degrees in fine arts include the bachelor’s from the University of Mississippi and the master’s from the University of Memphis.                 Gallery hours for the exhibit, which will close Oct. 30, are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.                 For inquiries about sales or the gallery, contact Shawn Whittington at (662) 862-8301 or email eswhittington@iccms.edu.

Registration continues for eight-week terms

            Registration for the second term of eight-week traditional and eLearning classes is continuing at both the Fulton and Tupelo campuses of Itawamba Community College.             The deadline to register is Oct. 17 for the traditional term and Oct. 22 for the eLearning (online) session. Traditional classes begin Oct. 16, and online, Oct. 21.             ICC offers academic, career education, workforce and eLearning classes.             For more information on registration, call (662) 862-8000 or email eadviser@iccms.edu.

ICC Homecoming to feature presentation of Alumni awards, Homecoming Court

Itawamba Community College will celebrate Homecoming 2024 on Oct. 17 at the Fulton Campus beginning with a 4 p.m. ceremony at the Davis Event Center.             The event will honor the Alumnus of the Year, Athletic Hall of Fame inductees, Young Alumnus of the Year and Distinguished Service award recipients. They include Dr. Lance Evans of New Albany, Alumnus of the Year; Dr. David Rather of Tupelo and Jonathan Van Every of Nashville, Tenn., Athletic Hall of Fame; Jamey Logan of Tupelo, Young Alumnus of the Year; and Johnny Crane of Fulton, Distinguished Service. They will also be recognized during pregame ceremonies beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Eaton Field.             ICC’s Homecoming Court will be presented at halftime of the ICC/Holmes football game, which starts at 7 p.m. They include Queen Jasmier Coleman of Pontotoc; King Tanner McCord of Pontotoc; Fulton Campus Sophomore Maids Ashanti Doss of Nettleton and Brandi Deloach of Caledonia; Tupelo Campus Sophomore Maids Gracie Corley of Ecru and Shelby Tigner of Tupelo; Fulton Campus Freshman Maids Shakira Kelton of Golden and Emma Carolyne Wright of Amory; ...

ICC collaboration provides opportunity for financial assistance for five short-term training programs

Students who enroll in five short-term training programs at Itawamba Community College could have the opportunity for financial assistance through Upskill Mid-South, which is a collaboration with the Three Rivers Planning and Development District and the University of Memphis.             The programs include Commercial Truck Driving, Electrician Assistant, Google IT, Residential Carpentry Assistant and Welding, according to Josh Gammill, director of Continuing Education.             “Upskill Mid-South has introduced the new initiative to provide targeted training programs aimed at supporting unemployed and underemployed individuals across a 42-county tristate region,” Gammill noted. The program is designed to address critical workforce needs.             Among the Mississippi counties include Alcorn, Benton, DeSoto, Lafayette, Lee, Marshall, Panola, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Tate, Tippah, Tishomingo, Tunica and Union.             “The Itawamba Community College, the University of Memphis and UpSkill Mid-South Partnership offers accelerated job training and education programs to people in the community as well as help finding a job,” said Diane Pabich, director, University of Memphis, Upskill Mid-South program. “Our programs help individuals develop and refine skills that are highly valued in today’s workplace. All are completely sponsored.”             To ...

Reading event highlights ICC's Adult Literacy Week

During Adult Literacy Week (Sept. 15-21), several members of the Itawamba Community College family took the time to read to students at the Early Learning Centers on both the ICC Fulton and Tupelo campuses. Monday started with full bellies and happy bowls at the Tupelo Early Learning Center. “They [the students] love books,” said director Idell Crump, who fondly goes by Grannie Mother Goose, and even the principal. “It gives them a head start when they enter kindergarten.” Statistics show that adults reading to children creates a rich bonding experience that benefits both. Audra Perry, ICC’s director of Adult Education, said that reading to these children “reminds us [adults] of how eager young children are to learn and brings a smile to your face.” It has been proven that reading to children enhances their language development, improves their vocabulary and fosters a love for stories, all of which are crucial for their literacy skills. ICC alumnus Karen McFerrin of Mantachie, who also served as a reader during the event, believes that reading to children “keeps us young and gives us a ...

ICC enrollment increases again - continues to rank among state's leaders

           Itawamba Community College ranks among the leaders in the state in full-time enrollment increase, according to figures released this week by the Mississippi Community College Board.             With fall enrollment at 4,476 at the end of the 10-day reporting period, figures from fall 2023-fall 2024 show a 4.1 percent increase, nearly double the state average. In addition, enrollment was up 7 percent the last two semesters, statistics show.             The continuing increase over the last two reporting periods can be attributed to multiple factors, according to ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. They include the addition of significant housing opportunities tailored to student needs with the opening of Magnolia Hall last fall and the reopening of Sheffield and Monroe Halls with spaces designed to accommodate the ICC student of today at the beginning of this semester, and an enhanced emphasis on activities.             “This is very exciting news,” Allen said. “The increase in the number of students that ICC is serving is significant because we have additional opportunities to provide a solid educational foundation and the best start ...