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• Itawamba Community College receives $100,000 and joins 41 other schools across the US as All Within My Hands' Metallica Scholars Initiative expands in year five

    Metallica’s foundation, All Within My Hands, continues its multimillion-dollar investment in critical workforce programs at community colleges nationwide. Among the schools, Itawamba Community College was selected from a competitive pool of applicants to receive $100,000 to transform the futures of students in the community. “It is a tremendous honor for Itawamba Community College to be selected as one of the recipients of the prestigious All Within My Hands grant, which will significantly impact our career education programs, providing funding for students to pursue a pathway and their best start,” said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. “It is another indication of the success of the College and reinforcement of the mission that students and their success are our top priority.” The Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI) was launched in 2019 by Metallica’s foundation, All Within My Hands (AWMH), in partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). The workforce initiative marks its fifth year with an ambitious expansion into new curricula. MSI now directly supports 42 community colleges across 33 states, and by the end of this year, it will have helped ...
• WalletHub ranks ICC Best Community College in Mississippi for 2018

              Itawamba Community College has been ranked the Best Community College in Mississippi for 2018 by WalletHub.             In order to determine the best community colleges in the nation, WalletHub selected a sample of 715 schools from the list of member institutions in the American Association of Community Colleges. The schools were evaluated on the basis of cost and financing as well as both education and career outcomes.             According to WalletHub, “Community colleges offer students the ability to get higher education without having as much financial strain. During the 2017-18 academic year, tuition and fees for full-time, in-state enrollment at a public two-year college averaged $3,750 per year.” ICC’s yearly tuition and fees are $3,160.             In addition, WalletHub notes that other than serving as affordable, “community colleges often provide more flexible schedules, smaller class sizes and rigorous coursework…These qualities appeal especially to students who need to balance their studies with other commitments, such as family and work.”             “Providing affordable and accessible education is a significant component of Itawamba Community College’s mission,” said ICC President Dr. ...
• BestColleges.com recognizes ICC as best in Mississippi and among nation's top 10

  Itawamba Community College has been recognized as the best online community college in Mississippi and among the top 10 in the nation by BestColleges.com, a leading online resource for college planning and advice.             “It is a tremendous honor for Itawamba Community College to be selected the best in the state and among the best in the nation by BestColleges.com,” said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. “Exceptional recognitions such as this are indications of the success of the College, its continuing status as a premier community college and a testament to our exceptional faculty and staff, without whom it would not be possible. Success breeds success, and our students and alumni are proof that the BEST start here.”             This year, BestColleges.com revised its approach to school rankings, focusing on the most important factors that students consider in their college-decision making process,” according to information from Nicholas Linden, senior communications manager. The metrics were taken directly from its College Choice and Admission survey, reflecting the top preferences and priorities of students from across the country.             In the 2023 College Choice and ...
• OnlineU selects ICC as 2024 Best Online Community College in Mississippi for affordability

  Itawamba Community College has been selected the 2024 Best Online Community College in Mississippi for affordability by OnlineU.             “Mississippi offers many online degrees through its network of online community colleges,” said representatives of OnlineU. “These online degrees combine convenience with strong academic standards while maintaining low tuition costs for budget-minded students.”             ICC takes the top spot for its affordability with an annual tuition of $2,750, placing it among the most cost-effective schools in the country, according to OnlineU. Additional highlights of its selection of ICC included 99 percent of students receive financial aid support through federal loans or grants and a support system that helps in managing educational expenses effectively. Adding to its appeal, ICC enrolls over 1,323 online students, which is within the top 31 percent of schools offering popular online programs.             “We are honored to be recognized by OnlineU as we strive each semester to teach our students the most relevant skills and provide the foundational knowledge that they will need to be successful as they either continue their educational journey or to enter the workforce,” said ...
• WalletHub ranks ICC best in the state for fourth consecutive year

              Itawamba Community College has again ranked first among all public two-year institutions in Mississippi in a recently-released WalletHub study that surveyed hundreds of community colleges across the United States.             In order to determine the best community colleges in the United States, the financial institution WalletHub selected a sample of 650 schools from the list of member institutions in the American Association of Community Colleges.             The schools were evaluated based on cost and financing and both education and career outcomes.             ICC was also ranked first in 2018, 2019 and 2020.             “For 70 plus years, providing affordable and accessible education has always been a significant component of Itawamba Community College’s mission,” said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. “National recognition of the College in this area is an indication that ICC is fulfilling that mission and serving our students, who are our top priority. Their success is our success.”             According to WalletHub, cost is often a major consideration when choosing a college. “And with tuition rates continuing to rise every year – not to mention all ...
• Community college faculty renew plea for funding, salary increases

  JACKSON – Mississippi has one of the lowest workforce participation rates in the United States, yet the 15 community colleges, which are ideally positioned to offer the programs that impact the state’s job growth, continue to be chronically underfunded. Mississippi has more than 40,000 job openings but the majority of those jobs require some education and training beyond high school, but not a bachelor's degree. Community college career and technical programs are demand-driven educational programs tailored in each community to meet local needs. The Mississippi Faculty Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MFACJC) wants to make sure legislators and communities understand how beneficial the community college system is to our state, said MFACJC President Mary Warren, who teaches at Copiah-Lincoln Community College. However, to make good on the promises of those benefits of a quality education, educational resources need to improve. That includes salary increases for faculty who have not had a state-funded raise since 2008, she said.  “I can truly appreciate all the work our legislators do to make Mississippi a better place to live, but I think it’s time we fund ...