28 January Kinard-Jones born into ICC's family...and her journey continues January 28, 2022 By Thomas, Donna S. General 0 Dr. Ira Lindsay Kinard-Jones of Houston was literally born into the Itawamba Community College family since her mother, Audrey, was an ICC educator at the time. At the age of 4, Kinard-Jones took her first official steps onto the ICC-Tupelo Campus and into the Child Development Center, where she was a student. Following her high school years at Houston, Kinard-Jones enrolled at ICC, where she graduated in 2004. Four years later, she was employed as a career education instructor in mathematics at the Tupelo Campus. “I completed a degree in mathematics education,” Kinard-Jones said. “I wanted to become a teacher with the first postsecondary institution that impacted my life…the love of my alma mater.” “As a student at ICC, I was welcomed by a group of experienced teachers who loved teaching,” Kinard-Jones said of the college in 2002-04. “Almost all my teachers are retired (now). The climate was community…very die-hard ICC…student involvements were at an all-time high.” She earned additional degrees including the bachelor’s and master’s from the University of Mississippi and the doctorate from Mississippi State University. While she was enrolled in graduate school at Ole Miss, she served as a mathematics instructor at Lafayette High School. Since 2010. she has been a member of the academic faculty as a mathematics instructor and spends her days teaching algebra and statistics in the Purvis Center, which also houses ICC’s Child Development Center, where she began her journey. Most mornings, she teaches, and most afternoons, she advises and assists students. Kinard-Jones is also an adviser for the Beta Tau Sigma Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at the Tupelo Campus. Since she has been a member of the faculty, Kinard-Jones has received the Phi Theta Kappa Horizon Adviser Award (2017-18), and she participated in ICC’s prestigious Leadership Development Institute (2018-19). A compassionate educator devoted to challenging the minds of her students, Kinard-Jones says that “learning is power only when it is turned on. It is my philosophy to turn the light of learning on in each individual learner and support the trajectory for each learner’s career success.” She admits that “turning on that light” isn’t always possible. “Failure to reach an individual learner is one of the most negative aspects of teaching.” She said that although COVID has limited classroom interaction and activities, it has taught valuable lessons. “Embrace each moment and opportunity with a sense of immediacy…only the important things truly matter.” Although her first career choice was biomedical engineering, Kinard-Jones has taken the advice she would give to those considering a job or career similar to hers. “You must love teaching students, love teaching math and love teaching concepts and precepts one step at a time. Mistakes will be made (with the students and with instructors), and that’s okay…correct, revamp and move forward to complete the task at hand.” Of all her accomplishments, Kinard-Jones said that earning her doctorate degree in December 2018 has given her the most satisfaction. “I started the Ph.D. program in August 2009. I experienced many trials during this time that derailed my focus away from completing my degree.” Among them were personal health, death of a grandmother, engagement and marriage. Kinard-Jones’ doesn’t spend every minute involved in mathematics. She enjoys playing the piano, shopping, traveling and spending time with her family, which includes in addition to her mother, her husband, Natdrick, and her two-year-old son, Kai Williams Kinard Jones. She is a member, pianist and choir director for St. Matthew Baptist Church, and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Mathematical Association of America and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Although it’s difficult for a young mother such as Kinard-Jones to balance work and home responsibilities, she credits her “great support system (God, husband parents, all of her ICC family and brother – Irijah, who is WIOA Youth Career Coach at the Belden Center). Only time will tell if Kinard-Jones will continue the same journey at ICC as her mother, who retired after 36 years. Maybe she will teach mathematics that she loves. Or maybe she will be a community college administrator, the only other occupation that would interest her. In the meantime, she has set a personal goal to reveal/discover hidden talents and abilities in each individual student. That’s what makes her unique. Related Articles ICC's McIntosh selected as one of 50 Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholars Itawamba Community College sophomore TJ McIntosh of Wren has been selected as one of 50 students in the nation as 2020 Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholars. Recipients of the prestigious award will receive up to $40,000 per year to help cover the cost of educational expenses such as tuition, living expenses, books and required fees as they complete their bachelor’s degree. Additionally, Cooke Scholars are eligible to apply for up to $75,000 of funding toward graduate school. “We know that this is a very uncertain time for many students and their families,” said Seppy Basili, executive director of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. “We remain deeply committed to supporting high-achieving community college students to ensure they have the resources to reach their full academic potential. We are excited to welcome this new class of Cooke Transfer Scholars to our community and looking forward to seeing the many amazing things they do as they continue on their transfer journey.” McIntosh is majoring in biology with a pre-medicine concentration. He serves as the vice president ... ICC's Allen, Atkins accepted into prestigious Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program Itawamba Community College sophomores Emma Grace Allen of Fulton and Payton Atkins of Hamilton have been accepted into the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program (MRPSP). The MRPSP offers scholarships to medical students in Mississippi who agree to practice in underserved rural areas of Mississippi after completing their training for one year for each year they receive the scholarship. Participants will receive mentoring, rural clinical experience, MCAT preparation and a support system on their pathway to becoming a physician. As part of the MRPSP, they join a network of undergraduate students, medical students, residents and practicing physicians, all offering support throughout their medical education and into their future practice. Allen is a biology major at ICC, where she will receive her associate’s degree this month. Her honors and activities include orientation leader, Global Experience, Food Pantry representative, Indian Delegation president, BSU lead team member, Fashion Tribe, STEM Club, Phi Theta Kappa, Honors College, Science Club, Miss ICC 2023, Hall of Fame 2023 and freshman and sophomore Homecoming maid. She is youth and college ministry and children’s church volunteer at Bethel ... Registration continues for adult education classes in ICC's five-county district Registration is continuing for adult education/English as a Second Language classes at Itawamba Community College. They include Chickasaw County – Houston WIN Center, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-noon and 1-4:30 p.m., Shundria Whitfield, smwhitfield@iccms.edu or (662) 407-1218; Itawamba County – Fulton Family Resource Center (Old Grammar School), Tuesday and Thursday, 4:30-7:30 p.m., Linzy Patterson, lfpatterson@iccms.edu or (662) 407-1538; Lee County – ICC Belden Center, Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m.-noon and 1-4:30 p.m., Amanda Dickinson, asdickinson@iccms.edu or (662) 407-1514; Mondays and Tuesdays, 5:30-8:30 p.m., tblindsey@iccms.edu; Monroe County – Amory WIN Center, Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m.-noon, 5-8 p.m., amshannon@iccms.edu or (662) 407-1517; and Pontotoc County – Pontotoc WIN Center, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-noon and 1-4:30 p.m., Gloria Wallace, gdwallace@iccms.edu or (662) 407-1230. English as a Second Language classes meet at the ICC Belden Center Tuesday and Wednesday, 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m., emsullivan@iccms.edu; and Monday and Tuesday, 5:30-8:30 p.m., amshannon@iccms.edu or (662) 407-1517. There is no cost for the classes. Prospective students must call or email the contact individuals listed beside the class to reserve a spot. ... Registration continues for ICC's Gateway program Registration is continuing for the Gateway program at Itawamba Community College. The program is designed for individuals who are between the ages of 16-24, do not have a high school diploma or its equivalent, want career coaching and are serious about exploring employment opportunities. In addition, those who have a high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma may qualify if they have another type of barrier, including but not limited to, single parent, low income, disabilities and homeless. Enrollments are currently being accepted for participants in Chickasaw, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe and Pontotoc counties. Open enrollment for classes in the one-week program begins Mondays at 9 a.m. at the ICC Belden Center (3200 Adams Farm Rd.). According to WIOA Youth Coordinator Sanders Bell, students can start on Monday and possibly have a job by Friday. The program is funded by the Mississippi Partnership Workforce Development Board and the Three Rivers Planning and Development District, Inc. For more information or to register, visit the WIN Job Center at Belden or call (662) 407-1207; or the WIN Centers in Amory, ... Registration continues for ICC's Gateway program Registration is continuing for the Gateway program at Itawamba Community College. The program is designed to serve disadvantaged individuals between the ages of 16-24, not currently enrolled in school and/or unemployed or underemployed. Goals are to complete the essential job skills training, obtain a high school equivalency diploma if needed, participate in a paid work experience opportunity, enroll in college or in an occupational or advanced training program, join the military or become employed. All unemployed participants will be placed in a paid work experience internship once the student completes the Essential Job Skills training. According to WIOA Youth Coordinator Sanders Bell, students can start on Monday and possibly have a job by Friday. Enrollments are currently being accepted for participants from all of ICC’s supporting counties, including Chickasaw, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe and Pontotoc. Open enrollment for classes in the one-week program begins Mondays at 9 a.m. at the ICC WIN Job Centers. For more information, call (662) 407-1207 or email gateway@iccms.edu. The program is funded by the Mississippi Partnership Workforce Development Board and the Three Rivers Planning and Development District, ... ICC's Perry selected state MAACE Administrator of Year Audra L. Perry of Pontotoc, director of Adult Education at Itawamba Community College, has been selected as the recipient of the 2024 Mississippi Association of Adult and Community Education Eloise Richardson Administrator of the Year award. Perry joined ICC’s Adult Education department as director in August 2022. She began her professional career in 2011 at Mississippi Delta Community College, serving as lead counselor, interim Dean of Career-Technical and Adult Education and director of Advising. She was selected to participate in the Mississippi Community College Leadership Academy and Mississippi Community College Policy Fellows Program. One of Perry’s nominators for the award said, “In a brief time, Mrs. Perry has found a way to bring change. She stepped into a role, and I know it has not always been easy for her, especially at a time when multiple positions had to be filled. She had the task of hiring new employees and bringing the team together as well as learning new responsibilities. She has successfully accomplished all those things. Often, when a person steps into a role where you combine old ... Comments are closed.