30 December ICC reflects on 2025 successes, sets course for continued impact in 2026 December 30, 2025 By Camp, Tyler W Career Center, General 0 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 person should achieve alone. Throughout 2025, the college advanced its mission through strong enrollment and retention, increased degree completion rates, expanded workforce and career and technical education programs, and continued investment in student-centered support services and experiences. ICC also strengthened partnerships with K-12 school districts, universities and regional employers to ensure clear pathways from education to employment. As the college looks toward 2026, the focus remains on building upon these gains while identifying new ways to serve students and the region. Planned efforts include further expansion of workforce training, continued investment in technology and facilities, and an emphasis on innovative programs that respond to evolving workforce and community needs. “Our goal for 2026 is simple and ambitious at the same time,” Allen said. “We want to help more people reach their goals, whether that means earning a credential, advancing in a career or finding a new direction. ICC has done that work for generations, and we intend to keep doing it well.” With a forward-looking approach grounded in its long-standing mission, Itawamba Community College enters the new year committed to progress, partnership and opportunity for all. To learn more about the many credit and noncredit offerings provided through ICC, visit www.iccms.edu. Related Articles 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 ... ICC Foundation awards scholarships for 2025-26 Several area students are the recipients of Foundation scholarships at Itawamba Community College for 2025-26. They include Aberdeen – Jk’miracle Davis, Tommy and Natalie Kline Endowed Scholarship; Sierra Lochala, Wilson L. and Wanda Heering Memorial Endowed Scholarship, IMPACT Scholarship, The Rev. Dr. Roy H. and Doris Finney Ryan Endowed Scholarship; Nickolous Westmoreland, Thomas Griffith Memorial Annual Scholarship; Amory – Jolie Bishop, Gilmore Foundation Healthcare Endowed Scholarship; Kyah Dilworth, W.B. (Bruce) and Peggy Davis Endowed Scholarship; Christopher Farrar, John and Beth Cleveland Endowed Education Scholarship; Abigail Harlow, IMPACT Scholarship; Peairr Pack, Linda Kay Gilreath Scholarship; Ella Phillips, Linda Kay Gilreath Scholarship; Allyson Watkins, Carolyn Franks Memorial Endowed Scholarship; Paytn West, Dorothy D. and George H. Ruff Foundation Automotive Technology Endowed Scholarship; Baldwyn – Savannah Collier, Linda Kay Gilreath Scholarship; Bryston Howell, Stephens Forestry Endowed Scholarship; Andrea Yielding, Kermit and Mary Anna Mcferrin Memorial Endowed Scholarship; Belden – Misty Cole, Jon D. Shelton and Jason Lee Shelton Annual Scholarship; Madison Sullivan, John and Beth Cleveland Endowed Scholarship; Bruce – Sarah Collins, STEM Scholarship; Noah Morgan, ICC Gala Scholarship, IMPACT Scholarship; Caledonia – Kaitlyn Harris, ... ICC adds significant scholarship opportunity in fall 2025 Itawamba Community College is adding a significant scholarship opportunity beginning in the fall of 2025. The Impact Scholarship program will support students who have financial hardship and help them achieve their educational goals and build a brighter future for themselves and their communities, according to Michael Upton, director of Advancement. “These scholarships are given by an anonymous donor who has experienced the results of a life focused on accepting the love of Jesus and giving forgiveness to others,” Upton said. “They want to both help future ICC students as well as recognize the tremendous impact that teachers have on their students’ lives.” In addition, the initiative fosters local talent and empowers individuals to contribute to the economic and social well-being of Northeast Mississippi. “The Impact Scholarship program fosters a culture of gratitude and appreciation by requiring students to write an essay about a teacher who significantly impacted their lives, which strengthens the bond between the recipients and educators and highlights the importance of mentorship and guidance in the learning process,” Upton noted. Students who are interested in applying ... ICC announces Cadence Bank’s continued support of its Career Pathways program Itawamba Community College today announced Cadence Bank has continued its long tradition of supporting ICC students with a $15,000 donation to its Career Pathways program. The program connects low-income individuals and adult education students with workforce training to enable them to gain the skills and knowledge necessary for finding employment in a high-demand career field, according to Josh Gammill, director of continuing education at ICC. “As the need for skilled workers becomes more abundant in our community, graduates of Itawamba Community College’s workforce training programs will increase the number of available workers within the community, positively impacting economic development efforts in the region,” he said. Cadence Bank’s donation will be used to pay for the tuition of one of Itawamba Community College’s workforce training pathways, which includes programs such as Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and EMT-Basic. “ICC staff members communicate with students in this demographic, and while there is interest in the programs, they often do not have the funds necessary to be able to pay for training courses,” Gammill said. Because the programs are short-term and non-credit, no state or federal ... Megan Eidt selected as 2025 ICC's Mississippi Humanities Teacher Award nominee Megan Lewis Eidt of Tupelo has been selected as Itawamba Community College’s Mississippi Humanities Teacher Award nominee for 2025. Eidt will be among those honored at the Mississippi Humanities Council Awards Ceremony March 28, 2025 at the Two Mississippi Museums in Jackson. The event pays tribute to outstanding faculty in traditional humanities fields at each of the state’s institutions of higher learning. Since 2004, she has taught history at ICC, where her activities have included former two-term president of the Tupelo Campus Faculty Association and former adviser to the ICC Political Science and Humanities Clubs. Her professional memberships include ICC Faculty Association, National Council on Public History, Atlanta History Center and American Historical Association. Eidt earned the bachelor’s degree from the University of Mississippi; master’s degree from Mississippi College; and additional coursework from the Center of Bi-Lingual and Multi-Cultural Studies in Cuernavaca, Mexico. Her other activities include member of the Tupelo First United Methodist Church and supporter of both the Tupelo Community Theatre and the Lee County Humane Society. Eidt’s honors and awards include recognition as an ... Dr. Anna Morgan Named ICC’s 2026 Mississippi Humanities Teacher Award Nominee Itawamba Community College has selected Dr. Anna Morgan, piano instructor, as its nominee for the 2026 Mississippi Humanities Teacher Award. Morgan will be recognized at the Mississippi Humanities Council Public Humanities Awards Ceremony on March 20, 2026, in Jackson. The annual event honors exceptional faculty in traditional humanities disciplines across Mississippi’s colleges and universities. Morgan, a Mantachie resident, joined ICC in 2017. Before returning to Mississippi, she taught PreK through fifth grade elementary music in Tennessee, laying an early foundation for young students’ musical development. She holds a doctorate in music education from William Carey University and a master’s degree in piano performance from Middle Tennessee State University. In addition to her teaching role, Morgan serves as pianist for the ICC Choir, supporting student musicians and contributing to the College’s longstanding choral tradition. She also remains active in the regional arts community as manager of the North Mississippi Youth Orchestra and pianist and organist at Baldwyn First Baptist Church. Her service beyond the arts includes previous work as a board member for the Tupelo-Lee Humane Society. Morgan will be featured alongside honorees from ... Comments are closed.