President's Report >> Inspiring Faculty & Staff

2008 President's Report

New Faces, New Places

Jones is full of talented faculty and staff, and it’s a policy of the college to look within its ranks first to find the most qualified people to fill new or open positions. Recognizing an employee’s potential is part of the college’s method of inspiring greatness within the Jones family.

Casey Mercier
This year, Casey Mercier, chief information officer, was promoted to Vice President of Information Technology. Dr. Smith recognizes the importance of having a senior administrator in this position. As the technological needs of Jones grows each year, Mercier and his staff will provide technical support and expertise to faculty, staff, and students. “Today’s students expect technology solutions on our college campus. Mr. Mercier will do a great job overseeing this important priority in today’s modern classroom,” said Dr. Jesse Smith. Mercier had been the chief information officer for 10 years at Jones, having upgraded the college’s computer network system several times.Mercier previously worked in the telecommunications industry before his career started at Jones.

Jennifer Suber
Also promoted this year was Jennifer Suber, who had served in the Financial Aid department for eleven and a half years. With the retirement of Tina Flanagan last summer, Smith knew that Suber, with her knowledge of the department and rapport with the staff, would be an excellent choice to take the position as Financial Aid Director.
“There is no doubt in my mind that Jennifer is the right person for the job,” said Rick Youngblood, Vice President of Business Affairs. “She has a vision for the future of her office, and together we will take Financial Aid to the next level in customer service and efficiency. I look forward to working more closely than ever before with Jennifer and her bright and dedicated staff. She is extremely lucky to have such a talented group with which to work. The commitment to Jones that I see in Jennifer is just one of the reasons she was chosen as our new Financial Aid Director.”

Katie Murphy
Katie Murphy, who has worked at Jones since 2002 and served as a Jones academic counselor for three years, has been named the Director to the Counseling Center. While working in the center, Murphy has taken on additional duties, including working as the ADA/Section 504 Coordinator for the college and developing and overseeing the newly established Freshman Orientation class, which invites new students to receive class credit while learning more about Jones and what it has to offer. Murphy’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Science in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in Counselor Education from Mississippi State University and a Master’s of Arts in Higher Education Administration from the University of Mississippi.

Cynthia Bush
If you regularly attend special functions at Jones, you may have noticed the new, polished look of each event, ranging from servers in crisp, new uniforms to the addition of color in tablecloths and napkins, from elegant serving trays to floral arrangements with a flair.
These new additions are the work of Cynthia Bush, JCJC’s new event coordinator. Bush, who was a math instructor for the college for five and a half years before moving to her new position, has an extensive background in coordinating events.
Bush’s main focus is working on special events, including visits from Gov. Haley Barbour, Sen. Roger Wicker, and former President Bill Clinton.

Lance Pittman
Veteran broadcaster Lance Pittman has joined the school’s staff as Director of Sports Broadcasting and Recruiter of Non-Traditional Students. He will serve as the “Voice of the Bobcats” and is the host of the new “Bobcat Spotlight,” which can be found on the JCJC web site.
The spotlight is an opportunity to showcase someone on campus who inspires greatness, including students, faculty and staff.
Since its inception in March 2008, those spotlighted have included Leah Laviano, Miss Mississippi USA; Chris Glaze, Lea Plarski award winner; Tyrone Adams, who is a member of the nationally recognized drum and bugle corp, the Madison Scouts; and Anselina Dial, a 52-year-old sophomore who discussed the experience of a non-traditional student coming back to school.
Also debuting this past year was the broadcasting of JCJC Bobcat basketball games, football games and selected baseball and softball games on the school’s website at
www.jcjc.edu. Pittman draws on his 20-plus years as a broadcaster for the University of Southern Mississippi as host for Jones sports events.