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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. ...

ICC to offer online Google Career Certificates through Continuing Education

Itawamba Community College is expanding its workforce training portfolio by launching a suite of online career certificate programs through its Continuing Education division, offered in partnership with Google. ICC now offers the following Google Career Certificates: Google IT Support, Google Cybersecurity Certificate, Google Data Analytics, Google Project Management, Google UX Design and Google Digital Marketing and E-Commerce. “These certificates are a practical on-ramp into high-demand careers,” said Josh Gammill, director of continuing education and career services at ICC. “They allow individuals to gain marketable skills quickly, on their own schedule, and without the time or financial commitment of a traditional degree program.” The certificate opportunities are designed to provide job-ready training in high-demand fields in under six months, with no prior experience required. They are widely recognized by employers and have gained popularity for their flexibility, affordability and relevance in today’s workforce. All programs are 100 percent online and self-paced, making them accessible to working adults, career switchers, and individuals seeking to upskill or reskill. The curriculum is developed by Google experts and emphasizes practical, hands-on experience aligned with real-world job expectations in ...

ICC Health Sciences Programs Fuel Regional Workforce, Applications Now Open

As one of North Mississippi’s most reliable economic engines, Itawamba Community College continues to strengthen the region’s workforce by producing highly trained graduates in some of the most in-demand health care fields in the state. Applications are now being accepted for 11 health science programs that begin in August 2026 at ICC. These programs are designed to meet critical workforce needs while providing students with a direct pathway to stable, meaningful careers. Available programs include Associate Degree Nursing, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, EMS Paramedic, Health Information Technology, Practical Nursing (August class), Occupational Therapy Assistant Technology, Physical Therapist Assistant Technology, Public Health Technology, Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Care Technology and Surgical Technology. “These programs are not only academically rigorous, they are workforce driven,” said Tonya Vaughn, Dean of Health Science Instruction at ICC. “Our graduates are stepping into hospitals, clinics and health systems across the region ready to contribute on day one. That level of preparation matters to employers, to patients and to the long-term health of our communities.” The application deadline is May 1. For more information about program requirements, visit ICC’s website at www.iccms.edu or ...

ICC Pathways Programs Open Doors to High-Demand Careers

For individuals ready to move quickly from the classroom to a career, Itawamba Community College is offering a slate of Pathways workforce training programs beginning in January 2026 at the ICC Belden Center, located at 3200 Adams Farm Road. Programs and schedules include: Food Management Certification will be held Jan. 12–Feb. 6, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The program provides essential skills for the restaurant and hospitality industry, including ServSafe® Food Manager and Alcohol Certification, menu planning and preparation, participation in catered events, résumé and interview preparation, and front- and back-of-the-house operations. Certified Nursing Assistant runs Jan. 12–April 1 on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5–9 p.m. The program prepares participants to take the Certified Nursing Assistant exam. Graduates may find employment in nursing homes, medical centers, home health agencies and clinics. Medical Administrative Assistant will be offered Jan. 12–April 8 on Mondays from 5–9 p.m., with additional online assignments. The program focuses on administrative and clerical skills needed in medical offices and prepares students to pursue Certified Medical Administrative Assistant certification through the National Healthcareer Association. Certified Medical Assistant will meet Jan. 12–May 14 on ...

ICC reflects on 2025 successes, sets course for continued impact in 2026

As 2025 comes to a close, Itawamba Community College is reflecting on a year defined by progress, recognition and collective effort while looking ahead to continued success in 2026. During the year, ICC was named a Top 200 institution in the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program, placing the college among the nation’s community colleges recognized for strong student outcomes. ICC was also selected as a Bellwether Award finalist, a national distinction that highlights innovative, effective programs that drive student success and workforce impact. “These honors affirm the quality of work happening every day at ICC,” said Dr. Jay Allen, ICC president. “They are not the result of a single initiative or individual. They reflect a collegewide commitment to doing the right work, the right way, for our students and communities.” The current academic year is guided by ICC’s year-long charge, The Power of One, a theme that emphasizes the idea that meaningful progress is built through shared responsibility. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to recognize how individual contributions come together to create a larger picture of success, one that no single ...

A season of giving with lasting impact: ICC students find support at Tupelo ACE Hardware

For students training for careers in the skilled trades, the path forward often begins with grit, long hours and a growing list of tools they must purchase before they ever clock in on the job. This season of giving, one Tupelo business is stepping in to make that journey a little more attainable. Tupelo ACE Hardware is putting practical support directly into the hands of students enrolled in Career and Technical Education and Workforce training programs at Itawamba Community College. Through the generosity of owner George Booth, ICC students pursuing skilled trade careers are now eligible for varying discounts on tools purchased at the Tupelo ACE Hardware store on McCullough Boulevard. The effort began when Booth offered a discount on a tool needed by a student in an ICC Workforce class. Recognizing the ongoing need, he expanded the offer to support students across multiple trade programs, easing the financial burden that often accompanies hands-on training. To receive the discount, students present a tool discount letter provided by ACE Hardware. An ICC instructor verifies the student’s enrollment in an eligible CTE or ...

ICC Food Management Certification class set to begin Jan. 12 at Belden Center

Registration is underway for a Food Management Certification class that will begin January 12 at the Itawamba Community College Belden Center. The class will meet weekdays from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. through February 6. Highlights of the hands-on course include both ServSafe® Food Manager and Alcohol Certification, menu planning/preparation, assistance/participation in the execution of catered events, résumé/interview skills and both front- and back-of-the-house operations. Tuition assistance could be available for those who qualify. For more information or to register, call (662) 407-1505 or email pathways@iccms.edu.

ICC Orientation Sessions Set for December High School Graduates

Itawamba Community College will host orientation sessions for new students planning to enroll in the spring 2026 semester. High school students graduating in December are strongly encouraged to attend one of the sessions, scheduled for Dec. 3 in the David C. Cole Student Services Building on the Fulton Campus and Dec. 4 in the Academic and Student Center on the Tupelo Campus. Both sessions begin at 1:30 p.m. Students may attend either location regardless of where they plan to enroll in the spring.  “Attending orientation offers several advantages, including early class scheduling, access to a wide variety of course options and the possibility of completing the enrollment process before graduating from high school,” said Michael Holloway, director of Recruitment and Orientation. Before registering, students must submit an admission application and ACT or placement equivalency scores. Space is limited, so early registration is recommended. To register, visit www.iccms.edu/Orientation. For more information, call 662-862-8290 or email orientation@iccms.edu.

ICC to Host Annual Emerging Scholars Luncheon for High School Seniors

Itawamba Community College will host its annual Emerging Scholars Luncheon on Thursday, November 13, on the Fulton Campus, providing an exclusive opportunity for high school seniors with an ACT score of 24 or higher to explore ICC’s honors-level academic and involvement opportunities. Designed for exceptional students eager to challenge themselves academically and grow as leaders, the Emerging Scholars Luncheon offers a firsthand look at ICC’s Honors College, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and the wide range of academic pathways available. The event will feature presentations on ICC’s Honors College and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, roundtable discussions with faculty from the College’s ten schools of academics and a student leader panel highlighting ways to balance academic excellence and campus involvement.  Participants will also enjoy lunch, campus tours and the opportunity to hear from guest speaker and ICC alumnus Hayden Plunkett, a physician assistant in orthopedic surgery at Mississippi Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center in Tupelo. Plunkett, an Amory native and former ICC Student Government Association president, continued his leadership journey at Mississippi State University before earning a master's degree in physician assistant ...