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Camp, Tyler W
Camp, Tyler W's Article

Ten ICC employees selected for prestigious LDI

Itawamba Community College has announced the participants selected for the 2026 Leadership Development Institute, a one-year professional development program designed to cultivate leadership from within the ICC family. Participants for the 2026 cohort include Scott Emison of Pontotoc, Ethan Foster of Hamilton, Melanie Francis of Saltillo, Shannon Gillentine of Fulton, Chloe Hester of Guntown, Lori Little of Fulton, Collin Minga of Fulton, Riley Morgan of Guntown, Megan Pearson of Belden and Ryan Todd of Fulton. Emison serves as director and instructor of the Construction Management Technology program and joined ICC in 2022. Prior to his time at the College, he worked as an architectural project manager and held leadership positions in the private sector, including administrator at ArchitectureSouth and vice president of operations for The Retail Coach. A graduate of ICC, Emison earned a Bachelor of Architecture from Mississippi State University and is currently pursuing a Master of Education in higher education at Delta State University. He and his wife, Mallory, have three children. Francis has served ICC since 2007 and currently holds the position of eLearning instructional coordinator. Her tenure includes roles as workforce information systems specialist and lead online ...

ICC announces 2026 Hall of Fame honorees

Itawamba Community College has announced the students selected for induction into the 2026 ICC Hall of Fame. The honor recognizes students who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, academic achievement and service during their time at the college. The 2026 ICC Hall of Fame honorees are Cherish Brown, Bella Cochran, Anna Kate Crenshaw, Aleena Gregory, Anna Lauren Glasson, Brooklyn Lane, Karry Linley, Landon Long, Sydney Palmer, Molly Sansing, Shelby Sullivan and Hallie Tenhet. Cherish Brown, a biomedical sciences major from Tupelo, has been actively involved in student leadership at ICC, serving as Tupelo Student Government Association president and participating in Phi Theta Kappa, Sigma Kappa Delta and the ICC Honors College. She is a student at Tupelo High School completing her degree at ICC through Middle College. Bella Cochran, a political science major from Tupelo, has distinguished herself academically and in leadership roles at ICC, serving as Phi Theta Kappa president and earning placement on the Dean’s List and President’s List. She is a student at Tupelo High School completing her degree at ICC through Middle College. Anna Kate Crenshaw, a communication major from Smithville, has been ...

Evening of the Arts to showcase talent, support Fine Arts at ICC

An inspiring night of music, theatre and visual art will take center stage March 3 as Itawamba Community College hosts its annual Evening of the Arts, a division-wide celebration and fundraiser benefiting ICC’s Fine Arts Division. The family-friendly event will highlight the creativity and dedication of ICC students and faculty through live performances by the college’s Jazz Band, Wind Ensemble, Centerstage, Chamber Singers, Percussion Ensemble and Theatre department. Guests will also experience visual art displays showcasing student and faculty work, reflecting the vibrant arts community continuing to grow across the Fulton Campus. In addition to celebrating student achievement, the evening serves as a fundraiser supporting all areas of Fine Arts. This year’s featured focus is The Steinway Initiative – The Power of One, a multi-year effort to replace practice room and performance pianos with Steinway instruments as ICC works toward designation as an All-Steinway School. While guests are invited to contribute to the Fine Arts area that resonates most with them, there is no obligation to donate in order to attend and enjoy the event. Doors open at 6 p.m. for a ...

Snellings crowned 2026 ICC Most Beautiful

Olivia Snellings of Bruce was crowned 2026 ICC Most Beautiful during the annual pageant hosted by Itawamba Community College at the W.O. Benjamin Fine Arts Center on the Fulton Campus. Addison Williams of Aberdeen was named first alternate, followed by Amelia Tooley of Belmont as second alternate, Faith Elizabeth Dabbs of Pontotoc as third alternate and Mallory Blake Fleming of Oxford as fourth alternate. Specialty awards were also presented during the evening. Michia Crowley of Tupelo earned both Most Photogenic and Crowd Favorite honors. Bri’yan Riddle of Aberdeen received the Most Social Award, and Alonna Snyder of Saltillo was voted Miss Congeniality by her fellow contestants. A sold-out crowd filled the auditorium as 44 contestants competed on Wednesday, February 19, in one of the college’s signature student engagement traditions, an event that highlights poise, presentation and campus involvement.

Campus forestry efforts earn ICC national recognition

Itawamba Community College has been named a 2026 Tree Campus Higher Education institution by the Arbor Day Foundation in recognition of its commitment to campus tree care and environmental stewardship. The national designation honors colleges and universities that meet five core standards, including maintaining a campus tree advisory committee, implementing a tree care plan, investing dedicated funds in tree management, observing Arbor Day and engaging students in service-learning projects focused on trees. The effort was spearheaded by Emily Loden Jones, Forestry Technology Program director, with assistance from John Wayne Harris, director of Physical Plant Operations; Jerry Hodge, Fulton Campus grounds supervisor; the Office of the President; Clay Hinds, forestry technology student; and Michael Crab, outreach officer for the Mississippi Forestry Commission. President Dr. Jay Allen said the recognition reflects ICC’s commitment to preserving and enhancing the natural spaces that make the institutions locations so special. By earning the designation, ICC joins institutions nationwide that prioritize sustainable campus forestry and hands-on environmental education.

ICC to host 2026 Most Beautiful Pageant Feb. 18 on Fulton Campus

Itawamba Community College will host the 2026 ICC Most Beautiful Pageant at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, in the W.O. Benjamin Fine Arts Center on the Fulton Campus. The annual pageant will feature 45 contestants representing communities across Mississippi and the region. The reigning Most Beautiful is Emma Hill of New Albany.  Contestants include Addison Williams, Bri’yan Riddle and Zoe Valsamakis, all of Aberdeen; Lauryn Gillon of Amory; Amelia Tooley of Belmont; Natalie Ositis of Blue Springs; Emma Katherine Pratt and Olivia Snellings, both of Bruce; Jacey Haynes and Leila Kane Musselwhite, both of Columbus; Anna Hardin of Corinth; Eliza Boatman of Eupora; Hadley Kate Wiygul of Fulton; Abigail Gill, Elizabeth Kathryn Knotts, Kaylee Faith Joslin, Laney Elise Harrington and Madison Nevins, all of Hamilton; D’aiysa Gordon of Houlka; Ava Stanley and Kailey Pannell, both of Mantachie; Chloe Wright of Memphis, Tennessee; Adrianna Dyan Ruth, Kylie Hargroue and Rylie Williams, all of Mooreville; Sydney Analauryn Millis of Nettleton; Charlie Strevel, Jayonna Anderson, Landry Adele Kent and Madison Nicole Coltharp, all of New Albany; Cora Carter of Okolona; Rebecca Ann Walker of Olive Branch; ...

ICC President Dr. Jay Allen Named Finalist for National CEO of the Year Award

Itawamba Community College President Dr. Jay Allen has been named a finalist for the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) CEO of the Year Award, a national honor recognizing exceptional leadership among community college presidents across the United States. The AACC CEO of the Year Award honors leaders whose work has made a significant and lasting impact on their institutions, students and the communities they serve. Dr. Allen will be formally recognized as a finalist during the AACC annual convention, the nation’s premier convening of community college leaders, to be held in April in Seattle, Washington. Since assuming the presidency at ICC, Dr. Allen has emphasized student success, workforce alignment and community engagement while maintaining a strong focus on institutional culture and excellence. Under his leadership, the college has continued to strengthen academic programs, expand workforce and industry partnerships and enhance the overall student experience across all ICC locations. “I am deeply honored by this recognition, but it truly belongs to our outstanding employees,” Allen said. “Every day, our faculty and staff go above and beyond to serve students and positively impact our communities. Their commitment, professionalism and ...

Food Management Certification class to begin Feb. 9

Itawamba Community College has scheduled a Food Management Certification class at the Belden Center (3200 Adams Farm Rd.) beginning Feb. 9. Classes will meet Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. through March 6. The program includes Serve Safe® Food Manager Certification, Serve Safe® Alcohol Certification, CPR, certificate of completion, proper food handling standards, kitchen safety practices, culinary techniques, interview skills and résumé building, money handling and front of the house and back of the house operations. The cost is $1,000, and financial assistance is available for qualified applicants. For more information or to register, contact program director Christy Scheuer at acscheuer@iccms.edu or (662) 407-1505.

ICC CDL Program offers fast track to trucking careers

A career on the open road can begin in just four weeks through Itawamba Community College’s Commercial Truck Driving Program, which continues to train Class A commercial drivers and will soon expand to include public Class B and Hazmat Endorsement courses. The Commercial Truck Driving Program prepares individuals to operate Class A trucks and other commercial vehicles through hands-on, industry-focused instruction. Training covers operating diesel-powered vehicles, loading and unloading cargo, reporting delays or accidents, verifying loads against shipping records and maintaining required documentation. Students gain a comprehensive understanding of log books, trip records and motor carrier safety regulations set by the United States Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration. The Class A Commercial Driver’s License course is a four-week program totaling 160 hours. Classes meet Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The cost is $3,200, and financial assistance is available for qualified applicants. Upcoming Class A training dates include Feb. 9–March 6, March 16–April 10, April 20–May 15 and May 26–June 19. To further support workforce needs across the region, ICC will soon offer a public Class B ...

ICC opens Connection Center, welcomes first Chick-fil-A in Fulton

Itawamba Community College marked a major milestone Monday morning with the grand opening of the Connection Center on the Fulton Campus, a new student- and community-focused facility that includes a Chick-fil-A, the first location in Fulton and the first Chick-fil-A along Interstate 22 when entering Mississippi from Alabama. More than 150 people attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony, which featured remarks from Michael Taylor of PryorMorrow Architects, Steven Staub of JESCO Construction and Paul Butler of Sodexo. The Connection Center includes approximately 10,000 square feet of flexible, technology-equipped meeting space that can be configured as one large venue or divided into two smaller spaces. The remaining 3,000 square feet houses Chick-fil-A, operated through Sodexo, ICC’s food service provider. The restaurant is open to students, employees and the public and operates Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. It is closed on Sundays. ICC President Dr. Jay Allen said the opening represents another significant step in the College’s ongoing growth and community engagement. “This facility is exactly what we envisioned, a place that connects our students, our employees and our communities,” Allen said. ...