25 February Ten ICC employees selected for prestigious LDI February 25, 2026 By Camp, Tyler W General 0 Itawamba Community College has announced the participants selected for the 2026 Leadership Development Institute, a one-year professional development program designed to cultivate leadership from within the ICC family. Participants for the 2026 cohort include Scott Emison of Pontotoc, Ethan Foster of Hamilton, Melanie Francis of Saltillo, Shannon Gillentine of Fulton, Chloe Hester of Guntown, Lori Little of Fulton, Collin Minga of Fulton, Riley Morgan of Guntown, Megan Pearson of Belden and Ryan Todd of Fulton. Emison serves as director and instructor of the Construction Management Technology program and joined ICC in 2022. Prior to his time at the College, he worked as an architectural project manager and held leadership positions in the private sector, including administrator at ArchitectureSouth and vice president of operations for The Retail Coach. A graduate of ICC, Emison earned a Bachelor of Architecture from Mississippi State University and is currently pursuing a Master of Education in higher education at Delta State University. He and his wife, Mallory, have three children. Francis has served ICC since 2007 and currently holds the position of eLearning instructional coordinator. Her tenure includes roles as workforce information systems specialist and lead online instructor in computer technology and English. A graduate of ICC, she earned a bachelor’s degree from Mississippi University for Women and a master’s degree in instructional technology from Mississippi State University. She was named a William Winter Scholar in 2018. She and her husband, Rob, have two children. Foster joined ICC in 2023 and serves as a recruiter, representing his alma mater throughout the region. A graduate of ICC, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Mississippi State University and a master’s degree from Arkansas State University. Foster previously worked in broadcast journalism and earned multiple honors from the Mississippi Association of Broadcasters and the Society of Professional Journalists. He and his wife, Katelee, were married in 2025. Gillentine serves as director of business services and began her employment at ICC in 2022. An ICC alumna, she earned her associate degree from ICC before completing both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in accountancy at Mississippi State University. Prior to joining the College, she worked in accounting roles, including lead staff accountant. Gillentine and her husband, Justin, have one child and expecting a second. Hester joined ICC in 2023 and serves as a recruiter. A graduate of the community college system, she earned her associates degree from Northeast Mississippi Community College and a bachelor’s degree from Mississippi State University and is currently pursuing a master’s degree at the University of West Alabama. While at Mississippi State, she was recognized as a Stephen D. Lee Scholar. Hester and her husband, Josh, welcomed their first child in 2024. Little has been a member of the ICC family since 2008 and currently serves as director of advising. Her service to the College includes roles as an instructor in health information technology, grant coordinator and adviser. A graduate of ICC, she holds a Bachelor of Science in health informatics from the University of Mississippi Medical Center and a Master of Social Work from Union University. Little has served in numerous professional leadership roles at the state level and has been recognized as an educator and mentor of the year by professional associations. She and her husband, David, have two children. Minga serves as assistant athletic director for compliance and joined ICC in 2022. As an ICC graduate, he earned his associate degree from the College before completing a bachelor’s degree at the University of Mississippi and a master’s degree from Arkansas State University. While at ICC, Minga played collegiate baseball. In his current role, he supports student-athlete success and institutional compliance within ICC Athletics. He and his wife, Carli, have two children. Pearson has served as librarian on the Tupelo Campus since joining ICC in 2019. An ICC alumna, she earned her associate degree from the College before completing a Bachelor of Science in educational psychology from Mississippi State University. In addition to her work in the library, she serves as adviser for the Upsilon Sigma Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, supporting student scholarship and leadership development. She and her husband, Cole, have two children. Morgan joined ICC in 2023 and serves as student experience coordinator and instructional projects manager. An ICC alumna, he earned his associate degree from the College before completing both a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Public Health from the University of Mississippi. Morgan has contributed to published research addressing public health challenges in Mississippi and has presented his work at professional conferences. He is currently pursuing additional graduate study in nutrition. Todd, a resident of Fulton, began his service to ICC in 2010 as assistant director of bands and now serves as director of bands and Fine Arts division chair. An ICC alumnus, he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education from the University of Mississippi and has completed work toward a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Louisiana State University. Todd has been recognized as the 2007 A.E. McLain Outstanding Young Band Director, served as 2011 past president of the Northeast Mississippi Band Directors Association, was named the 2013 Mississippi Humanities Teacher of the Year and served as 2024 past president of the Delta Chapter of Phi Beta Mu. He has one child. The LDI, coordinated by the Office of the President, includes selected coursework, customized monthly workshops and seminars, professional presentations and interactive sessions. The program focuses on strengthening leadership capacity while exploring the College’s impact on local communities, the state and the broader region. Participants are selected by ICC Cabinet following a competitive application process. “The Leadership Development Institute is about investing in our own,” according to Tyler Camp, chief of staff. “We believe the future of ICC is strongest when it is built by people who understand our culture, our students and our mission. This program challenges participants to think strategically, lead intentionally and recognize the broader impact our College has across our region.” Related Articles ICC's Baggett, Evans selected as finalists for prestigious transfer scholarship Itawamba Community College sophomores TayaRenea Leigh Baggett of Hamilton and Chloe Evans of Plantersville have been selected as semifinalists for the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. Baggett is majoring in music education with emphasis on trumpet. Her activities and honors include Phi Theta Kappa, choir, chamber choir, brass ensemble, band, Honors College, President’s List, recipient of the Dean’s and Linda Kay Gilreath Endowed Scholarships and former member of CenterStage. She is a member of St. James Catholic Church where she is in the choir. Baggett’s parents are Christie and Joseph Hesse. Evans’ activities and honors at ICC include Band/Indianette, Indian Delegation president, Lead Orientation Leader, Student Government Association At-Large representative, Phi Theta Kappa vice president of leadership, Sigma Kappa Delta president, Honors College, Chieftain staff writer, Fashion Tribe graphic designer, Baptist Student Union and Wesley Foundation. She is also the recipient of the Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship. Her parents are Brad and Melissa Evans. The Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship is a highly-selective scholarship for the nation’s top community college students seeking to complete their bachelor’s degrees at for-year ... ICC selected among 25 semifinalists nationwide for prestigious Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence Today, Itawamba Community College was selected among the 25 semifinalists for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, a milestone in the award selection process. ICC and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College were the only public two-year institutions in the state to be selected for this prestigious honor. The $1 million Aspen Prize is the nation’s signature recognition of community colleges that are achieving high, improving and equitable outcomes for students. In years past, only 10 finalists have been named, and this change is designed to highlight the increased number of colleges across the country doing excellent work, according to the announcement from the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. “Being selected as a semifinalist from among eligible community colleges across the nation is not only an honor, but it is monumental for ICC to be chosen among the top two-year institutions across America to continue to compete for the significant Aspen Prize,” said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. “It is another indication of the success of the ... Ten ICC staff, faculty selected for prestigious LDI Ten members of Itawamba Community College’s faculty and staff have been selected to participate in its Leadership Development Institute for 2022-23. They include C.J. Adams of Fulton, marketing specialist; Terry Bland of Mooreville, financial aid director; Josh Gammill of Fulton, pathway coordinator; Adam Gore of Fulton, sports information and media relations director; Holly Gray of Fulton, library director; John Wayne Harris of Fulton, project and energy management systems director; Dr. Robert L. Solomon of Belden, director of admissions and registrar; Chris Stevenson of Fulton, social science division chair and history instructor; Dr. Dana Walker of Tupelo, Associate Degree Nursing program director; and Steven A. West of Mantachie, systems analyst and programmer. Adams, who has been employed at ICC since 2018, earned the A.A.S. degree in computer servicing at ICC. He is the recipient of 18 awards from the College Public Relations Association of Mississippi, including the 2021 grand award for electronic media and the 2020 Mississippi Press Association best general news photo in the collegiate junior division. In 2016, he cofounded The Square ... ICC's Salinas selected semifinalist for prestigious Cooke scholarship Itawamba Community College sophomore Diana Salinas of Golden has been named one of five semifinalists from Mississippi for the prestigious Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. This year’s 406 semifinalists were chosen from a pool of more than 1,500 applicants attending 398 community colleges in 44 states and the District of Columbia, according to an announcement from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. Salinas is majoring in computer science at ICC, where she is vice president of the Student Government Association, president of the Computer Science Club, Diamond Girl, member of the Honors College and vice president of leadership and regional reporter for Phi Theta Kappa. Her honors include Hall of Fame, Dean’s and President’s lists, SGA Scholarship, Dean’s Scholarship, All-Mississippi Academic Team and NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars. Her community and church activities are translating, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and tutoring. She plans to transfer to the University of Mississippi. Her parents are Gabriela Cortes and Santos Vazquez. The Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship recipients will be announced in April. In addition to financial support, selected Cooke Transfer ... 12 ICC sophomores selected to prestigious Hall of Fame Twelve Itawamba Community College sophomores have been selected as members of the prestigious Hall of Fame for 2020-21. They include and Cora Yielding of Fulton; Kristen Howell, Kaylee Markham, Diana Salinas, all of Golden; Rodrigo Hernandez of Houston; John Curtis DeVaughn of Mantachie; Cheyanne Cassler of Marietta; Reilly Grace Carter, Kenndie K. Gamble, Abby Rinehart, all of Saltillo; Alison Bryant Huckaby and Maddie West, both of Tupelo. Yielding is majoring in Spanish/journalism at ICC where she is a member of the BSU Lead Team, Student Government Association, Chieftain editor and former soccer player. Her honors include the President’s List, Mississippi Eminent Scholar and recipient of the Modern Language Art Award. She is a member of Crosspointe Fellowship. Her parents are Clayton and Connie Yielding. Howell is majoring in Computer Programming/Networking Technology. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and the Computer Programming and Networking Association. Her honors include the President’s List and the All-Mississippi Team for the PTK Beta Tau Sigma Chapter. She serves as a volunteer at her church with sound equipment and is a former member ... ICC's Salinas selected for prestigious Delta Scholars Program Itawamba Community College sophomore Diana Salinas of Golden has been selected for the prestigious 2021 Delta Scholars Program. The Delta Scholars Summer Institute is a 10-day immersion program during which students will work to identify an issue of inequality or injustice in which they are interested and develop a proposal for a project that will promote dialogue and change around that issue in their own communities or the state of Mississippi. Salinas and the other students will spend the first portion of the program at the Shackouls Honors College at Mississippi State University, where they will engage with faculty and guest lecturers from a range of disciplines to learn about issues currently challenging the people and the economy of Mississippi, including food insecurity, public health, education and more. Substantive lessons designed to teach students about the workings and impact of different systems in the Delta will be intermixed with skills-based workshops designed to give students the planning, research and advocacy skills necessary to begin developing their independent projects. During the summer conference, which is scheduled for June 7-18, students will take ... Comments are closed.