19 October ICC public health students complete Southern Miss research fellowship October 19, 2026 By Camp, Tyler W Career Center, General 0 Two Itawamba Community College students recently completed an 11-week training program through the University of Southern Mississippi designed to prepare participants to help identify and address public health needs in their communities. Khandra Ivy of Okolona and Jakera Gladney of Aberdeen, both students in ICC’s Public Health Technology program in the School of Health Sciences, completed the Community Research Fellows Training program. They attended weekly evening sessions from May 26 through Aug. 4, studying evidence-based public health research methods. The program expands participation in research among racial and ethnic minority groups and other underserved populations by strengthening partnerships among university researchers, public health professionals, community organizations and community health workers across Mississippi. Participants commit to applying evidence-based, culturally appropriate approaches to address needs in their communities. Ivy is also gaining practical experience through an internship with United Way of Northeast Mississippi, where she is learning how local agencies coordinate resources and services to meet community health needs. “This experience has been very valuable to me and has allowed me to connect what I am learning in my public health coursework to real-world experiences,” Ivy said. For more information about ICC’s Public Health Technology program, contact program director Cassie Alexander at cjalexander@iccms.edu. Related Articles ICC's Public Health Technology program joins in Apr. 7-13 national celebration Itawamba Community College’s Public Health Technology program will join those in the profession in celebrating April 7-13 as National Public Health Week. According to program director Cassie Alexander, the theme is “It Starts Here.” She said the commemoration recognizes the contributions of public health in improving the physical condition of the people of the United States and for ICC’s nationally-recognized Public Health Technology program, the residents of Mississippi, specifically those in Chickasaw, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe and Pontotoc counties; and achieving health equity. “Public health starts with each of us making a difference in our homes and communities,” Alexander said in summarizing the information provided by the American Public Health Association. “It’s how the places we live, work and play affect our well-being. It’s the way we are all stronger – and healthier – together through the efforts of organizations like the APHA and others that advocate for healthy communities.” Alexander, who serves on the Mississippi State Department of Health Community Health Worker Taskforce, is excited about recent legislation that will help advance the educational and career opportunities for ... ICC's Public Health Technology program to join in national celebration with local events Itawamba Community College’s Public Health Technology program will join those in the profession in celebrating the week of April 1 as National Public Health Week. According to program director Cassie Alexander, the theme is “Protecting, Connecting and Thriving: We Are All Public Health.” She said the commemoration recognizes the contributions of public health in improving the physical condition of the people of the United States and for ICC’s Public Health Technology program, the residents of Mississippi, specifically those in Chickasaw, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe and Pontotoc counties; and achieving health equity. “Community health workers are the backbone of public health, bridging the gap between healthcare systems and the communities they serve, ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of well-being and equity,” said Caroline Newkirk, ICC adjunct instructor and Evaluation Specialist with the Mississippi Public Health Institute. “ICC’s Public Health Technology program fills a critical gap in Mississippi by offering a curriculum that prepares its students exceptionally well with the knowledge and skills to be invaluable community health workers. In a state that is medically underserved, ... ICC's McCraw, Waters complete Mississippi Community College Fellowship Program Itawamba Community College’s Dr. Brandi McCraw of Fulton, Instructional Coordinator, and TZ Waters of Tupelo, director of Workforce Education, have completed the Mississippi Community College Fellowship Program. In addition, McCraw was selected as the recipient of the Mississippi CPFP 2020-21 Cohort Outstanding Fellow Award, which recognizes those who have displayed distinctive leadership and meritorious service to their profession through participation in the CPFP program. They were selected by their peers. The CPFP program is designed to give Fellows first-hand high-level experience with the workings of the Federal government and to increase their sense of participation in national affairs, according to Tyson Elbert, founder and executive director of AdvocacyBuild, LLC and senior fellow of The Medgar and Myrlie Evers Institute, who presented the awards. It requires Fellows to dedicate time away from their professional responsibilities, but also from their families, communities and social commitments. McCraw, who has been at ICC since 2008, has also served as switchboard operator, Student Services receptionist, administrative assistant to the dean of eLearning Instruction, eLearning adviser and eLearning coordinator. Her educational background includes the associate’s ... ICC's Public Health Technology ranked fifth in the nation Itawamba Community College has been named one of 2021’s best schools for online programs and courses in healthcare education by EduMed.org. ICC’s Public Health Technology program is ranked fifth in the nation. “Itawamba Community College appreciates this ranking and recognition by EduMed.org,” said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. “It is validation that ICC provides flexible, affordable and student-centered programs. Our students are our top priority, and their success is our success.” Only eight percent of U.S. postsecondary institutions earned a ranking position, according to EduMed.org, which researched and analyzed more than 7,700 accredited schools using data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and from the schools themselves. The website’s data science team then applied a proprietary algorithm to rank all qualifying schools for each healthcare discipline. Primary data points include number of online programs in subject area, online program tuition and fees, access to academic counseling and career placement services, number of online students and percentage of students with institutional aid. Wes Ricketts, founder of EduMed.org said that schools with ... 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 ... ICC, Baptist College of Health Sciences sign articulation agreement An articulation agreement between the Baptist College of Health Sciences and Itawamba Community College will give students in ICC’s Public Health Technology program another transfer pathway. ICC President Dr. Jay Allen and Baptist College of Health Sciences President Dr. Betty Sue McGarvey signed the agreement at the ICC Tupelo Campus recently. “Baptist College is excited to partner with Itawamba Community College and its Public Health Technology program,” McGarvey said. “This articulation agreement allows ICC graduates to enroll in our new Population Health bachelor’s program. Population Health is an expanding field in the health care industry and is experiencing substantial job growth in the region. Baptist Memorial Health Care consists of 22 hospitals and 190 clinics. Several Baptist hospitals are in close proximity to Tupelo, including facilities in Booneville, Columbus, New Albany and Oxford. Baptist College desires to prepare these students to fill the upcoming needs in this field and help meet the Population Health job demands in our region.” “Itawamba Community College appreciates this significant partnership with the Baptist College of Health Sciences,” Allen said. “This agreement will provide a significant opportunity ... Comments are closed.