10 February ICC President Dr. Jay Allen Named Finalist for National CEO of the Year Award February 10, 2026 By Camp, Tyler W Career Center, General 0 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 heart for this work are what make ICC special, and I am proud to stand alongside them.” The American Association of Community Colleges is the primary national advocacy organization for the nation’s community colleges, representing nearly 1,100 two-year institutions that collectively serve more than 10 million students annually. AACC provides leadership development, policy advocacy and professional resources while highlighting best practices and innovation across the community college sector. Dr. Allen’s selection as a finalist places Itawamba Community College on the national stage and underscores the college’s ongoing role as a leader in community-focused education and workforce development. For more information about Itawamba Community College, visit www.iccms.edu. Related Articles ICC Named Bellwether Award Finalist for First Time Itawamba Community College has been named one of 30 finalists nationwide to compete for the prestigious Bellwether Award at the 32nd Annual Community College Futures Assembly (CCFA). This marks the first time ICC has been selected as a finalist for the nationally recognized honor, which celebrates outstanding and innovative programs in U.S. community colleges. The Bellwether Award highlights excellence across three categories: Instructional Programs and Services – recognizing programs that foster student success and teaching innovation. Workforce Development – highlighting strategic partnerships between colleges and workforce entities that address regional labor market needs. Planning, Governance and Finance – celebrating creative approaches to planning, management and resource optimization. “We broke last year’s record with a total of 114 submissions from 91 community colleges across 30 states,” said Dr. Rose Martinez, director of the Bellwether College Consortium. “The large number of competitive entries reflects the impactful work community colleges are doing nationwide—and the academic and economic boost they provide to their local communities. The consortium looks forward to hosting the 2026 Community College Futures Assembly and recognizing three top colleges with the Bellwether Award.” A Bellwether Finalist represents a community college program that earned one of the ... 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 President Allen opens fall 2025 convocation with challenge to 'create a masterpiece;' new faculty/new roles announced 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 ... ICC's Allen named to prestigious AACC Board Itawamba Community College President Dr. Jay Allen has been named to the American Association of Community College Board of Directors for a three-year term. He is one of two Mississippi community college presidents serving on the prestigious board, which acts on behalf of the institutional members to create and maintain a vision for AACC, provide a national voice and advocacy for the community college mission and to determine and ensure that the organization adheres to appropriate standards of performance. A total of 32 presidents serve on the Board. Allen is an affiliate council representative and board member for the Community Colleges of Appalachia, which serves the common interests of colleges and their communities through programs and services responsive to the unique cultural, geographic and economic development challenges facing the region. Dr. Mary Graham of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is serving on the AACC Board as well. The AACC represents nearly 1,200 two-year, associate degree-granting institutions and more than 12 million students. Allen became the seventh president of ICC on July 1, 2017 after serving as president and ... ICC PTK chapters win international, regional awards Itawamba Community College’s Phi Theta Kappa chapters, Beta Tau Sigma (Tupelo) and Upsilon Sigma (Fulton), were recognized Friday at the first-ever, virtual PTK Catalyst event as Top 100 Chapters of the more than 1,250 chapters internationally. Other international awards included Distinguished Honors in Action Theme Award and Distinguished Honors in Action Project Award in the Theme 6 – Visions of Justice division for Upsilon Sigma’s project, STAND: Transforming the Stigma of Sex Trafficking. In addition, Kalyn Johnson of Fulton, president of Upsilon Sigma, received the Distinguished Chapter Officer award. Both chapters also received awards during the MS/LA regional conference in early March at the University of Mississippi. There are 48 chapters in the MS/LA region. Beta Tau Sigma received fourth Most Distinguished Chapter in the region; seventh in Honors In Action for Fighting the Stigma of Mental Illness; first place in Theme 3: Politics of Identity and seventh in College Project for Read, Lead, Succeed: Promoting the QEP. Jillian McCollum of Saltillo received the Order of the Golden Key award, and advisor Jenny ... PTK International Awards Itawamba Community College’s Phi Theta Kappa chapters received several awards at the 100th International Convention, Apr. 19-21, in Kansas City, Mo. Those for the Upsilon Sigma chapter at the Fulton Campus include Distinguished College Project, Distinguished Chapter Award and Top 100 Chapter. The Beta Tau Sigma chapter at the Tupelo Campus received the REACH award, 5-Star Chapter, Distinguished Chapter Award and Top 100 Chapter. The awards are based on writing and intensive research, service projects to the campuses and communities and leadership development. Only 50 college projects awards and 36 distinguished chapter awards are presented during the event. There are more than 1,300 chapters in Phi Theta Kappa, which recognizes academic achievement of college students and provides opportunities for them to grow as scholars and leaders. Those who attended PTK Catalyst convention included from the Beta Tau Sigma Chapter, advisors Jenny Bowers and Betsy White, both of Tupelo; advisor Delena Hukle of Mantachie; advisor Ira Lindsay Kinard of Houston; chapter president Karla Morales of Tupelo; vice president of scholarship Lora Beth Barrett of Saltillo and director of Honors ... Comments are closed.