ICC Orientation Sessions Set for December High School Graduates Itawamba Community College will host orientation sessions for new students planning to enroll in the spring 2026 semester. High school students graduating in December are strongly encouraged to attend one of the sessions, scheduled for Dec. 3 in the David C. Cole Student Services Building on the Fulton Campus and Dec. 4 in the Academic and Student Center on the Tupelo Campus. Both sessions begin at 1:30 p.m. Students may attend either location regardless of where they plan to enroll in the spring. “Attending orientation offers several advantages, including early class scheduling, access to a wide variety of course options and the possibility of completing the enrollment process before graduating from high school,” said Michael Holloway, director of Recruitment and Orientation. Before registering, students must submit an admission application and ACT or placement equivalency scores. Space is limited, so early registration is recommended. To register, visit www.iccms.edu/Orientation. For more information, call 662-862-8290 or email orientation@iccms.edu. November 20, 2025 By Camp, Tyler W Career Center, General 0 Comment Read More >>
Area Residents to Graduate From ICC Practical Nursing Program on Dec. 11 Several area residents will participate in a commencement ceremony for the Practical Nursing program at Itawamba Community College at noon, Dec. 11, at the W.O. Benjamin Fine Arts Center auditorium at the Fulton Campus. They include Natalie Crosby, Janiyah Gardner, both of Aberdeen; Mary Shoemaker, Keia Standifer, both of Amory; Gabriella Ositis, Lucia Zuniga of Blue Springs; Ashley Arwood of Caledonia; Valandria Harris, Taylar Williams, both of Columbus; Makenlie Farley of Fulton; Tanner Gregory, Brianna Laster, Jessica Laster, Lanasia Moore, all of Houston; Elizabeth Pepper of Madison; Jatilyn Kidd, Clayton Moore, both of Nettleton; Whitley Little of New Albany; Mary Wait of Oxford; Hamilton Gonzalez, Summer Riley, both of Pontotoc; Temeka Brand, Dynastee Burnett, Shana Cardenas, Treyuntae Jenkins, Shawna Lindsey, Adrian Metcalf, all of Tupelo; Elizabeth Cowart, Shautoriea Garth, Taylor McCrary, all of West Point. Upon completion of the 12-month (three-semester) program, ICC’s graduates earn a certificate of completion and are eligible to take the national board exam (N-CLEX) to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. Dr. Lisa Pearson of Amory is the director of ICC’s Practical Nursing program, and instructors are Patricia Robbins of Mantachie, Tammy Jones of Pontotoc and Lisa McNeese of Smithville. Learn more about ICC's Practical Nursing program by visiting www.iccms.edu. November 19, 2025 By Camp, Tyler W General 0 Comment Read More >>
ICC Named Bellwether Award Finalist for First Time Itawamba Community College has been named one of 30 finalists nationwide to compete for the prestigious Bellwether Award at the 32nd Annual Community College Futures Assembly (CCFA). This marks the first time ICC has been selected as a finalist for the nationally recognized honor, which celebrates outstanding and innovative programs in U.S. community colleges. The Bellwether Award highlights excellence across three categories: Instructional Programs and Services – recognizing programs that foster student success and teaching innovation. Workforce Development – highlighting strategic partnerships between colleges and workforce entities that address regional labor market needs. Planning, Governance and Finance – celebrating creative approaches to planning, management and resource optimization. “We broke last year’s record with a total of 114 submissions from 91 community colleges across 30 states,” said Dr. Rose Martinez, director of the Bellwether College Consortium. “The large number of competitive entries reflects the impactful work community colleges are doing nationwide—and the academic and economic boost they provide to their local communities. The consortium looks forward to hosting the 2026 Community College Futures Assembly and recognizing three top colleges with the Bellwether Award.” A Bellwether Finalist represents a community college program that earned one of the ... November 18, 2025 By Camp, Tyler W General 0 Comment Read More >>
ICC Mourns the Passing of Longtime Communications Director Donna Thomas Itawamba Community College is mourning the loss of one of its most devoted and influential team members, Donna Thomas of New Albany, who dedicated more than 55 years of service to the college and touched countless lives through her professional excellence, mentorship and quiet acts of kindness. Thomas, who began her ICC career on January 15, 1970, faithfully served six of the college’s seven presidents, building a legacy that spanned generations. Over her distinguished tenure she held numerous leadership positions including adult basic education newspaper editor, continuing education director, director of publications, director of media relations and most recently director of communications. She also served as a journalism instructor, mentoring students through her advisement of The Chieftain, ICC’s student newspaper, and The Mirror, the college yearbook, both of which earned multiple top awards from the Mississippi Press Association and the College Public Relations Association of Mississippi (CPRAM). Her influence extended well beyond the classroom and the campus. Thomas was an active member for more than 30 years in both the CPRAM and the Mississippi Community College Alumni and Advancement Association, serving ... November 13, 2025 By Camp, Tyler W General 0 Comment Read More >>
“My Watercolor Journey: From There to Here” by Feixue Yang Concludes ICC’s Fall Gallery Season The final exhibition in Itawamba Community College’s W.O. Benjamin Fine Arts Center Gallery for the Fall 2025 semester showcases the delicate artistry of Madison-based watercolor painter Feixue Yang. Her show, “My Watercolor Journey: From There to Here,” features a collection of landscape and portrait paintings that blend Eastern aesthetics with Western impressionistic techniques. The exhibition will be on display November 11 through December 3, with an artist’s reception at 1 p.m. on December 3. Yang’s watercolor work is known for its serene yet expressive quality, capturing moments of stillness and emotion through the interplay of light and color. A self-taught artist, Yang draws inspiration from both her surroundings in Mississippi and her deep emotional connection to her hometown in China. “Watercolor is my language,” Yang said. “It reminds me to embrace imperfection—because beauty often appears in unexpected places. My hope is that my work invites viewers to slow down and rediscover the poetry of ordinary life—to see not just with the eyes, but with the heart.” Yang’s award-winning plein air paintings have earned her recognition across Mississippi. She received second and third ... November 12, 2025 By Camp, Tyler W General 0 Comment Read More >>
Virtual Construction Lab Opens at ICC with Eutaw Construction Donation Itawamba Community College celebrated the ribbon cutting of its new Virtual Construction Lab, located in the John Crubaugh Education Building on the Fulton Campus, with local construction partners, industry leaders, students and ICC leadership in attendance on Tuesday, November 11. The innovative lab will serve students in the Construction Management Technology program, offering immersive, hands-on learning experiences that mirror real-world conditions even when weather or other factors limit access to traditional jobsites. The space features a Caterpillar Excavation Simulator, generously donated by Eutaw Construction, along with Oculus virtual reality headsets and Interplay learning software that provide cutting-edge training opportunities for students. “This new lab is a prime example of how ICC continues to advance workforce education in ways that meet both student and industry needs,” said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. “By combining traditional skills with emerging technology, we’re preparing students for the future of construction management and helping meet the demand for skilled professionals across our region.” Scott Emison, program director for Construction Management Technology, said the addition of the Virtual Construction Lab marks a significant step forward for the program. ... November 12, 2025 By Camp, Tyler W General 0 Comment Read More >>
ICC to Host Annual Emerging Scholars Luncheon for High School Seniors Itawamba Community College will host its annual Emerging Scholars Luncheon on Thursday, November 13, on the Fulton Campus, providing an exclusive opportunity for high school seniors with an ACT score of 24 or higher to explore ICC’s honors-level academic and involvement opportunities. Designed for exceptional students eager to challenge themselves academically and grow as leaders, the Emerging Scholars Luncheon offers a firsthand look at ICC’s Honors College, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and the wide range of academic pathways available. The event will feature presentations on ICC’s Honors College and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, roundtable discussions with faculty from the College’s ten schools of academics and a student leader panel highlighting ways to balance academic excellence and campus involvement. Participants will also enjoy lunch, campus tours and the opportunity to hear from guest speaker and ICC alumnus Hayden Plunkett, a physician assistant in orthopedic surgery at Mississippi Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center in Tupelo. Plunkett, an Amory native and former ICC Student Government Association president, continued his leadership journey at Mississippi State University before earning a master's degree in physician assistant ... November 10, 2025 By Camp, Tyler W Career Center, General 0 Comment Read More >>
Itawamba Community College to Host Chickasaw Nation Cultural Events on November 5 Itawamba Community College will host a pair of cultural events featuring representatives of the Chickasaw Nation on both its Fulton and Tupelo campuses on November 5. The events, which are open to the public, are designed to provide students and community members with an opportunity to engage with and learn about Chickasaw culture, language and history. On the Tupelo Campus, the Chickasaw Nation will host a Language Learning Table from 12:30-1:30 p.m. followed by a traditional Chickasaw story presentation at 1:30 p.m. The events will take place in the cafeteria of the Academic and Student Center. At the same time, on the Fulton Campus, attendees can visit a Cultural Learning Table beginning at 12:30 p.m., followed by a presentation at 1:30 p.m. by local author and historian Mitch Caver in the Fulton Campus Library. Caver, a retired Branch Director with the Mississippi Department of Transportation, has dedicated much of his post-retirement work to researching and preserving Chickasaw history. Trusted by local communities, he has played an instrumental role in discovering historic Chickasaw sites and artifacts across Mississippi. His collaboration with the Chickasaw Nation has ... October 30, 2025 By Camp, Tyler W General 0 Comment Read More >>
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 ... October 30, 2025 By Camp, Tyler W Career Center, General 0 Comment Read More >>
For the Eighth Time, ICC Recognized Nationally by Aspen Institute as a Top U.S. Community College The Aspen Institute has named Itawamba Community College as one of the 200 institutions eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s premier recognition of high achievement and performance among two-year colleges. The 200 colleges were selected based on their student outcomes data, including retention, completion, transfer and bachelor’s attainment rates. Started in 2010, this is the ninth cycle of the Aspen Prize. ICC is one of only four Mississippi community colleges selected this year, and the smallest of the four, to be named as eligible to compete for this prestigious recognition. “Being named among the top 200 community colleges in the nation by the Aspen Institute is both an honor and a testament to the dedication of our faculty, staff and students,” said Dr. Jay Allen, president of Itawamba Community College. “This recognition affirms the excellence of our work and affords us the opportunity to compete for the Aspen Prize, one of the highest distinctions in higher education. It’s a reflection of who we are at ICC: a community committed to student success ... October 29, 2025 By Camp, Tyler W General 0 Comment Read More >>