25 August WalletHub ranks ICC first among all state public two-year institutions August 25, 2020 By Thomas, Donna S. General 0 Itawamba Community College has ranked first among all public state two-year institutions in a 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 698 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. “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, community colleges are a more attractive option especially this year as many individuals are struggling financially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Other than affordability, community colleges provide more flexible schedules, smaller classes sizes and rigorous coursework. The average age of community college students is 28, and a vast majority of these students balance their studies with jobs, family or both, commitments that often limit their enrollment to one or two classes per semester. According to the latest information from the American Association of Community Colleges, 62 percent of all full-time and 72 percent of part-time students at community colleges work. Fifty nine percent of all students receive some type of financial aid. ICC’s tuition has been consistently ranked among the lowest offered by Mississippi’s 15 community colleges. The study included the rankings for 12 Mississippi schools, listed in order by highest to lowest community college rankings in Mississippi: Itawamba Community College, Pearl River Community College, East Central Community College, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Hinds Community College, East Mississippi Community College, Jones College, Meridian Community College, Northeast Mississippi Community College, Holmes Community College, Mississippi Delta Community College and Coahoma Community College. Related Articles 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 ... ICC ranks among state leaders in full-time enrollment increase Itawamba Community College ranks among the leaders in the state in full-time enrollment increase, according to figures released this week by the Mississippi Community College Board. With spring enrollment at 4,774 at the end of the 10-day reporting period, figures from spring 2024-spring 2025 show a 6.7 percent increase, which comes after a multi-year increase in both fall and spring enrollments. The continuing increase over the last two reporting periods can be attributed to multiple factors, according to ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. They include additional housing opportunities tailored to student needs, including the addition of Magnolia Hall, exclusively for student leaders, and reopening of both Sheffield and Monroe Halls with spaces designed to accommodate the ICC student of today as well as an enhanced emphasis on activities.” “This very exciting news demonstrates a collaborative effort between all areas of the college to allow for continued enrollment growth,” Allen said. “What the figures don’t show is that residence halls remain at a more than 95 percent capacity this spring. The increase in the number of students that ... ICC's CR staff receives record number of CPRAM awards Several Itawamba Community College staff members received awards from the College Public Relations Association of Mississippi, which were presented during a recent virtual conference. The 21 awards were the most in the Community Relations Department’s history. They include C.J. Adams of Fulton, first place in View Book for “2020 ICC Recruiting Lookbook;” first place in Admissions and Recruitment Piece for “ICC Recruiting Trifold;” first place in Television Spots for “ICC SkillUp Commercial;” third place in Television Spots for “ICC Tomorrow Commercial;” first place in Radio Spot for “SkillUP Radio Commercial;” third place in Radio Spot for “Start on Time, Finish Early:” first place in Public Relations Campaign for “A New Look for a New Decade: A New Identity for ICC;” second place in Public Relations Campaign for “Navigating the Pandemic: The First Six Months;” grand award in the junior division in Electronic Media for “ICC SkillUP commercial;” second place in Advertisements for “ICC Veterans Day Ad;” Lee Adams of Fulton, first place in Single Piece artwork – Sports for “2020 ICC Football Poster;” second place in Single Piece Artwork – Sports ... ICC wins multiple College Public Relations Association of Mississippi awards Several Itawamba Community College staff members received awards from the College Public Relations Association of Mississippi, which were presented during this week’s conference in Oxford. They include Itawamba Community College – Grand Award for “2022 Orientation Booklet;” C.J. Adams of Fulton – third place, Institutional Magazine Annual Report, for “Connection Magazine;” first place, Viewbook – Admissions and Recruitment Piece, for 2022 Orientation Book; first place, Brochure, for “ICC Campus Tours Tri-fold;” third place, Television Spots, for “ICC – I Belong Here (Health Science);” first place, Website, for “iccms.edu;” third place, Webpage, for “Virtual Financial Aid Completion Guide;” first place, Social Media, for ”Through the Years Campaign;” first place, Exhibits, for “Fashion Show 2022;” second place, Public Relations Innovations, for “Gameday Noisemakers Sign/Fan;” first place, Public Relations Innovations, for “A Day with Dr. Jay;” Lee Adams of Fulton – second place, Sports News Story, for “McKenzie Patterson named Softball Player of the Year;” third place, Sports Feature Story, for “Former ICC baseball standout Kyle Crigger drafted by Marlins;” third place, Institutional Magazine Annual Report, ... ICC among state community college enrollment leaders for spring 2024 Itawamba Community College ranks among the leaders in the state in full-time enrollment for the 2024 spring semester, according to figures recently released by the Mississippi Community College Board. With spring enrollment at 4,476 at the end of the 10-day reporting period, figures from spring ‘23 to spring ‘24 show a 7 percent increase in headcount and a 9.7 percent increase in FTE with a second-place ranking. However, ICC had the largest percentage increase than any other community college in the state when reviewing combined FTE increases for fall ’23 and spring ‘24. The increase can be attributed to multiple factors, according to ICC President Dr. Jay Allen, including the addition of state-of-the-art Magnolia Hall for honors students and student leaders, an enhanced emphasis on activities, expanded free personal orientation sessions and the transition to the schools of approach to enable student connections both to their field of study and their peers. “This is very exciting news,” Allen said. “The increase in the number of students that ICC is serving is significant because we have additional opportunities to ... ICC enrollment increases again - continues to rank among state's leaders Itawamba Community College ranks among the leaders in the state in full-time enrollment increase, according to figures released this week by the Mississippi Community College Board. With fall enrollment at 4,476 at the end of the 10-day reporting period, figures from fall 2023-fall 2024 show a 4.1 percent increase, nearly double the state average. In addition, enrollment was up 7 percent the last two semesters, statistics show. The continuing increase over the last two reporting periods can be attributed to multiple factors, according to ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. They include the addition of significant housing opportunities tailored to student needs with the opening of Magnolia Hall last fall and the reopening of Sheffield and Monroe Halls with spaces designed to accommodate the ICC student of today at the beginning of this semester, and an enhanced emphasis on activities. “This is very exciting news,” Allen said. “The increase in the number of students that ICC is serving is significant because we have additional opportunities to provide a solid educational foundation and the best start ... Comments are closed.