Newsroom

rss

ICC Newsroom

Subscribe to receive news from ICC!

Itawamba Community College to Host Chickasaw Nation Cultural Events on November 5

Itawamba Community College will host a pair of cultural events featuring representatives of the Chickasaw Nation on both its Fulton and Tupelo campuses on November 5. The events, which are open to the public, are designed to provide students and community members with an opportunity to engage with and learn about Chickasaw culture, language and history. On the Tupelo Campus, the Chickasaw Nation will host a Language Learning Table from 12:30-1:30 p.m. followed by a traditional Chickasaw story presentation at 1:30 p.m. The events will take place in the cafeteria of the Academic and Student Center. At the same time, on the Fulton Campus, attendees can visit a Cultural Learning Table beginning at 12:30 p.m., followed by a presentation at 1:30 p.m. by local author and historian Mitch Caver in the Fulton Campus Library. Caver, a retired Branch Director with the Mississippi Department of Transportation, has dedicated much of his post-retirement work to researching and preserving Chickasaw history. Trusted by local communities, he has played an instrumental role in discovering historic Chickasaw sites and artifacts across Mississippi. His collaboration with the Chickasaw Nation has ...

ICC Student Samira Brewer Named 2025–2026 Mississippi Automotive Manufacturers Association Toyota Scholar

Itawamba Community College sophomore Samira Brewer has been selected as one of the 2025–2026 Mississippi Automotive Manufacturers Association (MAMA) Scholarship recipients, earning designation as a Toyota Scholar for her outstanding academic performance and commitment to innovation in the automotive manufacturing industry. Brewer, a robotics and automation major from Pontotoc, is a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and has been recognized on both the Dean’s and President’s Lists at ICC. In April 2025, she received the student award of distinction for Robotics and Automation Technology at ICC. She currently serves as an automation controls intern at Southern Automation and Controls, applying her classroom learning in real-world, industry-relevant settings. A former production line worker at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Brewer said her experience on the floor inspired her to return to college and pursue a technical degree. “For three years, I worked diligently on the production line at Toyota … motivated by my curiosity and desire for a greater challenge, I chose to return to school and pursue a degree in robotics and automation,” Brewer said in her essay. “As I continue my ...

For the Eighth Time, ICC Recognized Nationally by Aspen Institute as a Top U.S. Community College

The Aspen Institute has named Itawamba Community College as one of the 200 institutions eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s premier recognition of high achievement and performance among two-year colleges. The 200 colleges were selected based on their student outcomes data, including retention, completion, transfer and bachelor’s attainment rates. Started in 2010, this is the ninth cycle of the Aspen Prize.  ICC is one of only four Mississippi community colleges selected this year, and the smallest of the four, to be named as eligible to compete for this prestigious recognition. “Being named among the top 200 community colleges in the nation by the Aspen Institute is both an honor and a testament to the dedication of our faculty, staff and students,” said Dr. Jay Allen, president of Itawamba Community College. “This recognition affirms the excellence of our work and affords us the opportunity to compete for the Aspen Prize, one of the highest distinctions in higher education. It’s a reflection of who we are at ICC: a community committed to student success ...

ICC to Host Encore Dinner & Demo Featuring Namaste

Due to the overwhelming response to its October Dinner & Demo series, Itawamba Community College will host an encore edition of the popular event on Nov. 19 at 5:30 p.m., featuring Namaste restaurant and Chef Sam. The menu for the evening will include fried spinach with feta as the appetizer. Entrée selections will feature papri chaat, lamb korma, butter chicken and bhindi, followed by gulab jamun for dessert. “The new partnership with Namaste had an overwhelming response in October, and we wanted to not only accommodate guests who weren’t able to purchase tickets for the sold-out event, but also those who enjoyed the experience so much they wanted to attend again,” said Christy Scheuer, director of ICC’s Food Management Certification program. “We’re thrilled to offer an encore edition featuring Chef Sam and Namaste to give everyone another chance to enjoy this incredible dining experience.” Limited seating is available. The cost is $55 per person or $100 per couple. For more information or to make reservations, call (662) 407-1500 or email continuingeducation@iccms.edu. The Dinner & Demo series is part of ICC’s commitment to lifelong learning and ...

Steele, Kinard selected for Mississippi Community College Leadership Academy

Itawamba Community College’s Rachel Steele of Fulton and Dr. Ira Lindsay Kinard of Houston have been selected as participants in the 2025-26 Mississippi Community College Leadership Academy. Steele, who has been a member of the ICC family since 2019, serves as the director of Admissions and registrar. Her previous roles at ICC include instructional support services coordinator and academic mentor. Steele earned the Master of Science degree in College Student Personnel from Arkansas Tech University in 2013 and the Bachelor of Science degree in Liberal Studies from Central Baptist College in 2011. Her honors include ICC Leadership Development Institute (2024-25). She and her husband, Jake, have two children and are active members of Grace Bible Church of Fulton. Dr. Kinard, a mathematics instructor at ICC, began her tenure at the College in 2008. Her previous service includes advisor for the Beta Tau Sigma chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She earned the Doctor of Philosophy degree from Mississippi State University in 2018, the Master of Education degree from the University of Mississippi in 2008, the Bachelor of Arts in Education ...

Humanities Club at ICC to Host “Career Curveballs” Featuring Chase Parham and Jeff Roberson

The Humanities Club at Itawamba Community College will host a special event, Career Curveballs: Chase Parham and Jeff Roberson, October 28 on the Fulton campus for ICC students. Parham, an ICC alumnus, works for 247Sports/CBS Sports and is co-owner of MPW Digital, Mississippi’s most downloaded podcast network. During his time at ICC, he served as Chieftain sports editor and was recognized with the 2004 Journalism Department Award. He is also the author of Resilient Rebels: Ole Miss Baseball’s Remarkable Path to a National Title and co-author of Stories From Ole Miss Baseball, which includes a foreword by Archie Manning. Parham and his co-author, Jeff Roberson, will share insights on their career paths, daily job responsibilities and experiences in sports media. This student-focused session aims to offer practical advice and a real-world perspective for those interested in journalism, broadcasting and communications-related careers. The event will also be recorded for Parham’s podcast, and he will host a book signing afterward for Stories From Ole Miss Baseball. For more information about upcoming campus events, visit www.iccms.edu/events. 

ICC's Gray, Stevenson selected for Mississippi Community College Policy Fellows Program

Holly Gray of Fulton, Library director, and Chris Stevenson of Fulton, dean of Academic Instruction, have been selected to represent Itawamba Community College as participants in the Mississippi Community College Policy Fellows Program. Gray earned the associate’s degree from ICC, the bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Mississippi, the master’s degree in instructional technology from Mississippi State University, and the master’s degree in library and information science from the University of Alabama. She began her career at ICC in 2016 as librarian and currently serves as library director. Her honors include the ICC Leadership Development Institute, the Mississippi Community College Leadership Academy and service on the MAGNOLIA Advisory Board. Gray is a member of Fulton United Methodist Church and serves on the ICC Wesley Foundation Board. She and her husband, Jim, reside in Fulton and are the parents of two children. Stevenson, who began his career at ICC in 2010, previously served as history instructor and chair of the Social Science Division before being named dean of academic instruction. He earned the associate’s degree from ICC, the bachelor’s degree ...

ICC to Host Second Annual “Choptoberfest” Tailgate Ahead of Rivalry Game

Itawamba Community College will host its second annual Choptoberfest tailgate celebration on Thursday, October 24, beginning at 5 p.m. at the ICC Grove on the Fulton Campus. The family-friendly event will take place ahead of the ICC Indians’ home football matchup against Northeast Mississippi Community College. This year’s Choptoberfest will feature food, music, games and activities for the whole family, creating a festive atmosphere as the ICC community gears up for one of the most spirited events of the year. Pregame festivities for the football game are scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m., with kickoff set for 7 p.m. at Eaton Field. Earlier in the day, ICC will host its Fall Preview Day, welcoming registered high school seniors from across the region to explore campus, meet with faculty and staff and experience college life firsthand. In addition, the Office of Alumni and Foundation will welcome back ICC alumni from football, cheer and band programs whose graduation years end in “5” for the evening’s festivities. “It has quickly become one of our favorite traditions,” said Dr. Jay Allen, president of Itawamba Community College. “Choptoberfest ...

Tomahawk Marching Band Championship returns this weekend at ICC

The annual competition will bring some of the region's most accomplished marching bands together in Fulton. Bands from across the Mid-South will participate in Itawamba Community College’s Tomahawk Marching Band Championship, Oct. 18, at Eaton Field/Butch Lambert Stadium at the Fulton Campus. Due to the threat of potential severe weather, the competition will begin at 8 a.m. The annual event provides an opportunity for bands across the Mid-South to perform in both a competitive and educational environment. Adjudicators from across the nation will critique bands, color guard and percussion with the same caption-based criteria used in the MHSAA State Marching Band Championships, according to ICC All-American Band Director and Fine Arts Division Chair Ryan Todd. Among the bands participating and in performance time order include Smithville High School, Hatley High School, Baldwyn High School, Mantachie High School, Nettleton High School, Independence High School, New Albany High School, Ripley High School, North Pontotoc High School, Kosciusko High School, South Pontotoc High School, Lafayette High School, Saltillo High School, Olive Branch High School, Center Hill High School, DeSoto Central High School, Tupelo High School and ...

TVA donates $30,000 for STEM Lounge at the Tupelo Campus

Tennessee Valley Authority has presented $30,000 to Itawamba Community College to continue to advance STEM-related programming. The funds will be used to establish a dedicated STEM Lounge on ICC’s Tupelo Campus, creating a collaborative space for learning, innovation and engagement.   “TVA’s generous support helps us build a dynamic environment where students can explore, collaborate and grow in STEM disciplines,” said Dr. Jay Allen, ICC President. “This lounge will become a central hub for hands-on projects, peer mentoring and faculty-student interaction, strengthening our mission to prepare students for high-demand careers.”   The donation will be used for furnishing and initial operation of the STEM Lounge. Flexible seating and collaborative design features will encourage teamwork and innovation. Through partnerships and donations, ICC already operates a STEM Lounge on the Fulton Campus. Currently, STEM at ICC includes the School of STEM, STEM Club and experiential learning.   Since 2018, TVA has donated more than $69,000 to ICC for various projects in coordination with Tombigbee Electric Power Association. These investments reflect TVA’s ongoing commitment to supporting regional education and workforce readiness.   “TVA is proud to invest in institutions like ICC ...