18 August ICC President Allen opens fall 2025 convocation with challenge to 'create a masterpiece;' new faculty/new roles announced August 18, 2025 By Thomas, Donna S. General 0 Itawamba Community College President Dr. Jay Allen challenged faculty and staff to “create a masterpiece” during his remarks at the fall 2025 convocation Wednesday at the Fulton Campus. “Each year when we gather for convocation, I’m reminded that our work here is more than a list of tasks, programs and budgets – it’s a living, evolving canvas. And this year, our theme reminds us of ‘The Power of One: The Big Picture Begins with You!’ Think of ICC as a great mural in progress. Across its expanse are the colors, textures, patterns and decades of service – brushstrokes laid down by those who came before us, strokes that define our heritage and our foundation.” Those who attended had an opportunity to paint a section of an art piece in the lobby. Allen said that masterpieces don’t happen all at once. “They are built one stroke at a time. One deliberate motion of the brush, and each of you holds a brush in your hand.” Allen noted that there are those who add bold colors, bring delicate details, work in the foreground while others lay the background tones that quietly hold the work together. “And if we’re honest, those strokes aren’t glamorous. They don’t come with applause or public thanks. They may mean going the extra mile, filling in where a gap appears or doing the quiet, unseen work that keeps our college strong. True artistry is found in the willingness to paint the corners that no one will ever notice, simply because the picture will not be complete without them. “That’s the kind of care that makes ICC not just good, but the best it can be – for our students, for each other and for the communities that we serve. Our students arrive with blank spaces on their canvases – some with faint outlines already sketched, others still waiting to discover what image their life will hold. You are the ones who help them find their palette, steady their hand and see the possibilities in the empty space. My challenge to you is pick up your brush. Make your mark. Go the extra mile. Serve without seeking gratitude. And trust that together, we are painting something beautiful, something lasting, something worthy of our place in the history of ICC, something that could outlive us all.” Among the introductions and recognitions was the presentation of new faculty and staff members and those who are serving in new roles. New faculty and staff include Amory – Fallon Coggins, recruiter; Booneville – Latisha Stewart, Campus Police officer; Corinth – Andrea Hardin, Bloom coordinator; Fulton – Cade Evans, assistant baseball coach; Thomas Holland, TIS technician; Sarah Johnson, Bookstore clerk/barista; Andrew Kellum, chemistry instructor; Slater Lott, head baseball coach; Chance Lovertich, assistant football coach/offensive coordinator; Braeden Martin, Library technologist; Kaila Reich, Associate Degree Nursing instructor; Bailey Willhite, custodian; Golden – Johnathan Robinson, groundskeeper; Jacob Scott, assistant men’s basketball coach; Guntown – Alexandria Hall, Associate Degree Nursing instructor; Donald McBrayer, groundskeeper; Madison Thompson, Recruitment office specialist; Mooreville – John Fausz, Campus Security – Magnolia Hall; Jennifer Terry, Associate Degree Nursing instructor; Myrtle – Victoria Gray, Respiratory Care Technology clinical coordinator; New Albany – Beth Boyd, Bloom instructor; Pontotoc – Jamailya Cummings, Admissions assistant; Missy Griffith, sociology instructor; Stroud Mills, recruiter; JaMorris Morgan, residence hall director; Amanda Robinson, Associate Degree Nursing instructor; Randolph – Leah Pennington, Creative Content specialist; Saltillo – Shelbi Johnson, eLearning proctor – Tupelo Campus; Gary Parsons, Workforce Development Outreach coordinator; Jacob Campeau, Associate Degree Nursing instructor; Susan Zewicke, Admissions specialist; Starkville – Raphael Leonard, assistant football coach/wide receivers; Tremont – Rhonda Crouch, bookkeeper; Stephanie Hill, custodian; Tupelo – Kendall Brooks, Associate Degree Nursing instructor; Celeste Clayton, Housing office assistant; Deborah Hudspeth, Advising administrative assistant; Avery McNeece, Library technologist; Vina, Ala. – Christopher Kemp, Campus Police officer; Winfield, Ala. – Tyler Lann, assistant maintenance technician; Returning staff members who are in new roles at ICC include Aberdeen – Serenity Pierce, social science instructor; Amory – Lauren Inmon, director of Purchasing; Belden – Jay Harrelson, Industrial Maintenance instructor; Baldwyn – Heather Hancock, Associate Degree Nursing director; Blue Springs – Ashley Wells, WIOA bookkeeper/career coach; Brookhaven – Darrian Wilson, head men’s basketball coach; Fulton – C.J. Adams, director of Marketing; Rick Collier, HPR instructor; Shannon Gillentine, director of Business Services; Stacey Hughes, lead online psychology/educational psychology instructor; Chasity Standifer, Advising Center assistant; Ryan Todd, Fine Arts Division chair; Olga Weatherford, administrative assistant to the Dean of Academic Instruction; Brittnie Wildmon, Human Resources office assistant; Guntown – Arecia Prude, administrative assistant – Associate Degree Nursing and Practical Nursing; Houlka – Liz Edwards, Business Administration instructor; Houston – Karen Watson, WIOA office assistant; Mantachie – Ashton Davis, Instructional Support technician; Ethan Davis, Systems administrator; Nettleton – George Farris, Instructional Support technician; Red Bay, Ala. – Caleb Ramey, computer science instructor; Ripley – Jonathan Thrasher, Computer Networking and Cybersecurity instructor; Shannon – Deon Triplett, psychology instructor; Tremont – Carrie Whitehead, natural science instructor; Tupelo – Cynthia Adams, Supportive and Disability Services coordinator; Riley Morgan, eLearning adviser and Student Experience coordinator; and Mya Terrell, WIOA career coach – Tupelo. Related Articles ICC President Allen to receive prestigious Paragon Award Itawamba Community College President Dr. Jay Allen has been selected as a recipient of Phi Theta Kappa’s Paragon Award for New Presidents. The awards are given to new college presidents who have shown strong support of student success by recognizing academic achievement, leadership and service among high-achieving students at their college. Recipients were nominated by students on their campus. “It is an honor to be nominated by our students for this award,” Allen said. “It is most rewarding to watch students succeed as they grow in leadership and academics during their participation in the PTK organization.” Allen became ICC’s seventh president on July 1, 2017 after serving as president and chief executive officer of Hopkinsville Community College in Kentucky since January 2014. A native Mississippian, he 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 23 years. He earned the associate’s degree in May 1991 from Hinds Community ... ICC formally opens state-of-the-art Magnolia Hall with ribbon cutting Itawamba Community College formally opened its new residential facility, Magnolia Hall, with a ribbon cutting today at 10 a.m. at the Fulton Campus. “I have had an opportunity to participate in several milestones since arriving here at ICC…the opening of the new Academic and Student Center on our Tupelo Campus, the naming of many different spaces across our locations…but very few as significant as this one,” said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. “The opening of this innovative student-friendly residence hall will provide state-of-the-art housing accommodations for 246 additional ICC student leaders and scholars,” Allen said. “Even with this additional number of beds, we still have more than 350 students on waiting lists for housing this fall. This simply reinforces the dire need of this hall.” The 72,000-square-foot three story residence hall has customizable halls/wings for separated male and female occupancy and two efficiency apartments as well as one for the hall director. “Not only will it provide modernized residential rooms and ample amounts of collaborative study space, but it also offers elevated security with this being a separated ... ICC reopens key health program this fall using innovative instructional delivery method Itawamba Community College is reopening a key health science program this fall using an innovative instructional delivery method. Diagnostic Medical Sonography will combine an in-person boot camp/lab session at the beginning of both the fall and spring semesters, clinical rotations and online didactic courses. DMS will begin as a one-year (three-semester) program in general sonography, according to instructor Amanda Stone. Graduates will earn an Associate of Applied Science degree and will be eligible to take the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography examinations, including Principles and Instrumentation to become a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer in Abdominal and Obstetrics/Gynecology. There will also be an option for students to continue into a second year of Cardiac and Vascular Sonography. Beginning in the fall of 2023, licensed professionals may enter that option. The program format will offer an opportunity for potential students from outside ICC’s geographical area to participate as long as clinical sites are approved, Stone said. “We are excited to offer an innovative curriculum that encompasses both in-person labs and clinicals with online didactic courses,” Stone ... ICC recognizes new faculty, staff and reassignments at 2024 fall convocation Several area residents have joined the Itawamba Community College faculty and staff and were introduced at the fall 2024 convocation, Aug. 14. They include Amory – Morgan Speed, Advising Center assistant; Dixie Owen, Dual Credit admissions specialist; Baldwyn – Alisha Boren, Administrative Assistant to the Office of the President; Bay St. Louis – Andrew Elkins, assistant men’s soccer coach; Belden – Jay Harrelson, manufacturing specialist; Cayce Smith, athletic creative content coordinator; Belmont – Jessica Johnson, Residence Hall Director; Izaac Johnson, Campus Police officer; Blue Springs – Casey Peeples, Associate Degree Nursing instructor; Columbus – Cody Morris, TIS technician; Danville, Ala. – Carson Owens, head softball coach; Fulton – Jimmy Sartin, Campus Police officer; Mara Shumpert, custodian; Jenna Russell, custodian; Caroline Mason, digital media specialist; Ethan Davis, TIS technician; Paige Barksdale, custodian; Dee Hentz, assistant football coach/defensive line; Ashley Brewer, custodian; Samantha Hanna, Campus Police officer; Brycen Carsten, TIS technician; Leah Caldwell, strategic office specialist; Anna Daher, English instructor; Madison Monson, assistant softball coach; Golden – Daris White, transportation driver; Jason Harris, Diesel Equipment Technology ... ICC launches partnership with TimelyMD to connect faculty, staff, students with mental and physical health resources Itawamba Community College has launched a partnership with TimelyMD to connect full-time faculty and currently-enrolled students to the support and resources in both mental and physical health they need to succeed. TimelyCare provides on-demand 24/7 service that offers virtual health and well-being to currently-enrolled students and full-time faculty and staff for free, according to Dr. Brad Boggs, vice president of Student Services, including mental and emotional support, health literacy guidance and crisis management by masters-level behavioral health professionals. “It also provides a dedicated phone line for full-time faculty and staff to reach the TimelyCare team for guidance and support in cases of student distress.” Those covered may choose the visit modality that works best for them - video, phone or video chat. The simple, flexible scheduling enables students to choose their provider, day and time as well as cancel a visit and select the next available time that works best for them. Also, students can choose to add a parent, translator or even an adviser to the conversation. According to TimelyMD, “A modern virtual care platform starts with the technology that ... New ICC faculty, staff introduced; reassignments announced at Aug. 9 Convocation Several area residents have joined the Itawamba Community College faculty and staff and were introduced at the Aug. 9 convocation. They include Aberdeen – Serenity Pierce, Instructional Support team supervisor, ISC technician; Amory – Kelle Spencer, TANF Career Step navigator; Amanda Knight, custodian; Sierra Logan, WIOA office assistant; Belden – Bryant Nickels, head cheer coach; Blue Springs – Ashley Wells, WIOA career coach; Blake Buse, Health Science adviser; Bruce – Lauren Murphree, Associate Degree Nursing instructor; Fulton – Richard Beyer, transportation driver; Stephen Brazil, groundskeeper; Shanda Loague, custodian; Kristie Seawell, custodian; Kristin Adams, Physical Therapist Assistant Technology clinical coordinator of education; Amy Jo Holcomb, English instructor; Cassidy Little, Associate Degree Nursing/Practical Nursing administrative assistant; Danny Oswalt, English instructor; Becky Taylor, Health Sciences administrative assistant; Aaron Anguiano, assistant football coach; Kristen Hawkins, assistant softball coach; Edward Krajewski, assistant football coach; Justin Lucas, assistant football coach; Collin McCrory, assistant baseball coach; Kareem Moore, assistant football coach; Jamilah Sanders, assistant women’s basketball coach; Diamond Wraggs, assistant women’s basketball coach; Golden – Drae ... 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