Mississippi Community College System Proposes New Performance-Based Workforce Investment Program
Mississippi’s community colleges have proposed a new performance-based workforce investment initiative that would prepare an estimated 5,500 additional workers each year for high-priority careers while tying new state funding directly to workforce outcomes.
The Jobs Promise Performance Program (JPPP), recently approved as part of the Mississippi Association of Community College’s (MACC) legislative agenda for the 2027 session of the Mississippi Legislature, is a new concept in workforce development and performance-based investment. Should the program receive funding by the Legislature, it will allow the State of Mississippi to make targeted investments aimed at equipping an additional 5,500 workers annually with skills required for high-priority occupations, in order to promote economic growth in the state.
As policymakers in Mississippi continue discussing how public education can better serve its stakeholders, such as students, employers and taxpayers, the ongoing debates about accountability and performance-based investments center on a common question: How should public investment be measured by public outcomes?
The Jobs Promise Performance Program suggests one way to do that.
Dr. Courtney Taylor, Executive Director of Accelerate MS said, “Mississippi’s workforce momentum requires us to continually think about how we align education, training, and economic opportunity. Conversations like this are valuable because they keep the focus on preparing more Mississippians for high-demand careers while ensuring public investments deliver meaningful results.”
Instead of just looking into enrollment numbers, the proposed program focuses on successful completion of high-priority workforce programs and producing graduates who are prepared to join Mississippi’s workforce. By tying community college performance to Mississippi’s economic development needs, the initiative provides additional incentive to increase the number of graduates working in occupations that are experiencing shortages.
“Mississippi’s Jobs Promise Performance Program shows our commitment to give our students the tools they need for the current workforce,” said Dr. Ricky G. Ford, president of Northeast Mississippi Community College and chair of the MACC. “By aligning education with workforce demands, we are helping to both improve job prospects for our graduates and facilitate economic development of our communities. It is all about making sure that the process of transitioning from education to workforce becomes smooth and efficient.”
At the recent Mississippi Association of Community College Trustees Conference, Mississippi community college leaders discussed workforce demands in Mississippi. Additionally, it is estimated that the state will need tens of thousands of additional trained workers in the coming years in order to meet workforce demands in advanced manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, aerospace, IT and other high growth industries. The Jobs Promise Performance Program was developed in response to these workforce challenges.
“Across Mississippi, there is an important conversation taking place about accountability in public education and the return taxpayers receive on their investment,” said Dr. Scott Alsobrooks, president of East Mississippi Community College and co-chair of the MACC Legislative committee. “The Jobs Promise Performance Program reflects our belief that community colleges should be measured not simply by how many students enroll, but by how many complete high-priority workforce programs and enter careers that strengthen Mississippi’s economy. This proposal demonstrates our willingness to align public investment with measurable results.”
Should the program receive approval from the Mississippi Legislature, it will introduce a new Economic Development Priority as part of the community college funding model and recognize workforce production as the measure of the statewide investment.
“For decades, Mississippi’s community colleges have responded to changes in employer demands by launching training programs in advanced manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, IT, public safety, construction and many other high-priority industries,” said Dr. Michael Heindl, president at Northwest Mississippi Community College and co-chair of the MACC Legislative committee. “The Jobs Promise Performance Program builds on that tradition by encouraging and incentivizing colleges to produce even more graduates in the industries that are driving Mississippi’s future economy.”
The program will require the investment of $41.5 million in exchange for the preparation of an estimated 5,500 additional workers annually in high-priority sectors, highlighting once again the historic role of the community college system in Mississippi as the primary provider of workforce training.
Jones College President Dr. Jesse Smith said, “At 91ÁÔĆć, workforce education is about more than filling available jobs. It is about creating pathways that allow individuals to support their families, advance within their professions, and contribute to the vitality of their communities. The Jobs Promise Performance Program potentially increases a college’s capacity to connect local students with credentials that lead directly to meaningful employment and long-term economic mobility. When we help one student move from the classroom into a rewarding career, the impact extends to that student’s family, the employer, the community, and ultimately the entire state.”
Mr. Kell Smith, Executive Director of the Mississippi Community College Board (MCCB), added: “Our college missions have always been to empower Mississippians through education and training. The Jobs Promise Performance Program continues that mission by rewarding results that matter—more skilled workers, stronger employers and continued economic growth across Mississippi.”
As discussions about the future of public education funding in Mississippi continue, the program demonstrates the community college system’s commitment to performance, partnerships, and delivering value to its stakeholders.
Three Jones College Administrators Receive Department of Defense Patriot Award
ELLISVILLE – Three Jones College administrators have been recognized by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense program, for their exceptional support of an employee serving in the Mississippi Air National Guard.
Jones College President Dr. Jesse Smith, Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Tessa Flowers, and Vice President of Instruction Rod Tolbert each received the ESGR Patriot Award after being nominated by Capt. Barry Bradshaw, dean of the School of Agricultural and Industrial Services at 91ÁÔĆć and Maintenance Operations Officer with the 172nd Airlift Wing of the Mississippi Air National Guard in Jackson.
Bradshaw said the three administrators have supported him throughout his military journey since he joined the Air National Guard in 2018.
“After serving at 91ÁÔĆć for 10 years, I made the decision to join the Air National Guard, and their encouragement and support played an important role in making that possible,” Bradshaw said. “Their flexibility, understanding and willingness to support my military service have allowed me to continue serving both my country and Jones College.”
Before enlisting, Bradshaw met with Smith and Tolbert to discuss the commitment military service would require. Both offered their full support and encouraged his decision. During Bradshaw’s absence for Basic Military Training, Tolbert assumed many of his responsibilities to help ensure the college continued operating smoothly.
When Flowers later became Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer, Bradshaw said she continued that same level of support by providing the flexibility and understanding needed for him to fulfill his military obligations while continuing to serve the college and its students.
“The support I have received from Dr. Smith, Dr. Flowers and Mr. Tolbert has made it possible for me to successfully balance my responsibilities to both the Air National Guard and Jones College,” Bradshaw said. “I wanted to recognize each of them because they have consistently gone above and beyond to support my service.”
Established in 1972, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is a Department of Defense program that promotes cooperation and understanding between civilian employers and members of the National Guard and Reserve. Patriot Award recipients are recognized for demonstrating exceptional support through flexibility during military training and deployments, encouraging military service, assisting employees before and after military leave, and fostering a workplace culture that values both military and civilian service.
Jones College Celebrates Young Writers Through American Hero Essay Contest
ELLISVILLE – Jones College is investing in the next generation of writers, leaders and storytellers through the inaugural Jones College American Hero Essay Contest, an initiative designed to inspire students across the Pine Belt to explore the lives of those who have demonstrated courage, sacrifice and service while strengthening their own writing skills.
Hosted in partnership with the Laurel-Jones County Library and the Laurel Leader-Call, the contest invited elementary, middle and high school students to submit original essays recognizing an American hero who has made a lasting impact on their lives or on the nation’s history. Entries were evaluated on originality, historical accuracy, organization and writing quality.
Jones College awarded a $1,000 scholarship to the first-place winner in the high school division, Annie Byrd, furthering the college’s commitment to making higher education more accessible for outstanding students.
Cutline: Annie Kathryn Byrd (left), first-place winner in the high school division of the inaugural Jones College American Hero Essay Contest, accepts her certificate and a $1,000 Jones College Foundation scholarship from Sabrina Young, executive vice president of advancement at 91ÁÔĆć. Byrd was recognized during the June 24 awards ceremony at the Laurel-Jones County Library for her winning essay highlighting Revolutionary War heroine Deborah Sampson.
“Our mission extends beyond the classroom,” said Sabrina Young, Executive Vice President of Advancement at 91ÁÔĆć. “We want to encourage students to think critically, communicate effectively and recognize the qualities of leadership and service that shape our communities and our country. This contest gave students the opportunity to do exactly that.”
The American Hero Essay Contest reflects Jones College’s ongoing commitment to educational outreach and community partnerships that encourage academic excellence beyond the college campus. By creating opportunities for students to develop their writing and critical thinking skills at an early age, the college hopes to inspire future scholars while strengthening literacy throughout the region.
Georgia Pacific invests in future workforce through continued partnership with Jones College
Representatives from Georgia Pacific joined Jones College President Dr. Jesse Smith and Executive Vice President of Advancement Sabrina Young to celebrate the continued growth of the Georgia Pacific Endowed Scholarship.
ELLISVILLE – The path from the classroom to the workforce often begins with strong partnerships, and Georgia Pacific is helping ensure Jones College students have every opportunity to succeed.
Representatives from Georgia Pacific visited Jones College on June 18 to meet with students, tour technical education programs and reaffirm the company’s commitment to workforce development through an expanded investment in the Georgia Pacific Endowed Scholarship.
During the visit, Georgia Pacific announced an additional $1,500 contribution to the scholarship for the 2026-2027 academic year, bringing the endowment to $25,000. Company representatives also shared their commitment to continue annual contributions while the scholarship corpus grows, ensuring the fund will provide financial assistance to Jones College students for years to come.
The Georgia Pacific Endowed Scholarship supports students pursuing careers in welding, electrical technology, electromechanical technology, automotive technology, mechanical engineering technology, computer-aided design engineering and other technical fields that are critical to Mississippi’s workforce.
Following a welcome presentation, representatives toured Jones College’s Welding Technology, Automotive Technology and Advanced Technology Center programs, where they met with students and faculty and saw firsthand the hands-on training taking place across campus.
Georgia Pacific representatives visited with Jones College Welding Technology students and faculty during a tour highlighting the college’s workforce training programs.
Jones College Vice President of Instruction Rod Tolbert said partnerships with companies like Georgia Pacific play an important role in preparing students for careers in today’s manufacturing and industrial sectors.
“Most of these plants are designed to run 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Tolbert said. “Inevitably, something is going to break. Welding, electrical work and every aspect of industrial maintenance are critical to keeping those operations running. These trades are only becoming more necessary.”
Tolbert said Jones College works closely with business and industry to ensure students graduate with the skills employers need.
“It’s hard to find the skill sets that industry is built on,” Tolbert said. “Jones College is here to work with companies by making great employees into great skilled laborers.”
During the tour, Welding Technology instructor Ethan Wimberly demonstrated the college’s training facilities and highlighted the hands-on experience students receive before entering the workforce. Automotive Technology instructor Barry Bradshaw showcased the program’s automotive and machine shop labs, while Jennifer Griffith shared information about Jones College’s workforce development programs at the Advanced Technology Center and discussed new initiatives designed to meet the evolving needs of local industries.
As Mississippi’s workforce needs continue to grow, partnerships between Jones College and industry leaders like Georgia Pacific help ensure students are equipped with the knowledge, technical skills and real-world experience needed to succeed while providing employers with a pipeline of highly trained professionals.
Georgia Pacific representatives visited with students in Greg Griffith’s Electrical Technology program during a tour of Jones College’s technical education and workforce training programs.
Jones College faculty and staff accomplishments honoredĚý
ELLISVILLE – Fifteen Jones College faculty and staff members were recently honored for their workplace accomplishments over the previous academic year. The Employee Appreciation Awards began in 2004 with funds contributed by retired JCJC President, Dr. Ronald Whitehead, and the college’s Foundation, Inc. Finalists were selected and interviewed by the Faculty and Staff Recognition Program’s Selection Committee. Prior to the employee recognition program, a brunch was provided by the college and the JCJC Foundation Inc.
The Leadership Award for Administrative Excellence was established nine years ago to honor a mid-level administrator whose commitment to the profession stands out amongst their peers. Vice President of Enrollment Management, Dr. Amanda McLeod, was selected as the recipient of the 2025-2026 Leadership Award for Administrative Excellence. Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith praised McLeod’s abilities over the 12 years she has served at 91ÁÔĆć. In addition to overseeing recruiting, advising, admissions, financial aid and the Bobcat Brigade ambassadors, she is a wife and mother of two children, and she recently earned her doctorate degree in education, in addition to serving her community.
English instructor, Matthew Craft received the Barbara & Gary Sauls Award for Excellence in Teaching Humanities. The scholarship and awards committee acknowledged how the Humanities Division instructor exemplifies intellectual integrity in the classroom, and has encouraged analytical thinking skills, he loves humanitarian pursuits and fosters a positive rapport with his students. This award was initiated by JCJC alumni, Mr. & Mrs. Gary W. “Buddy” and Barbara Sauls. Their daughter, Tracy, was a 1990 JCJC graduate. Mr. Sauls was a former JCJC Board of Trustees member and Barbara Sauls is currently on the JCJC Foundation’s Advisory Board. Means was awarded a $500 cash prize and an acrylic plaque.
In the individual employee appreciation honors, 12 individuals from three categories of employees, faculty members, office staff and administrative support, and employees working in maintenance, housekeeping, campus grounds and campus police were each awarded certificates of achievement. Faculty finalists each received a cash prize of $250, and the overall winner received an additional $750 and an acrylic plaque. Each staff employee finalist was awarded a cash prize of $125, and the overall winner received an extra $500 and an acrylic plaque.
Finalists for the faculty awards included Jasper County Workforce CDL, NCCER Core, Forklift, OSHA and plumbing instructor-Lee Baliett; Electrical/Electro-Mechanical Technology-Greg Griffith; A.D. Nursing instructor-Kimberly Maddox and the overall winner, biology instructor and Faculty Member of the Year, Dr. Tasha Reynolds.
Nominated for the Office Staff and Administrative Support Employee of the Year Award were Arts, Music and Performance administrative secretary-Paula Harrison; Business/Student accounts-Karley Parrish; Enrollment Management-Tara Dupree and selected as the Office Staff and Administrative Support Employee of the Year, Marketing Project Manager-Allyson Knotts.
In the maintenance, housekeeping, campus grounds, transportation and campus police department division, three people were nominated. Campus Police Deputy-Brandon Evans; Groundskeeper-Michael Tran and from maintenance and overall winner, Doug Messemore.
Sodexo cafeteria employee andan honorary employee of the college, Desmond Newell, was recognized for his work. He received a $500 cash award for his efforts on behalf of the college.