Month: July 2025

ELLISVILLE – The third class of Jones College’s Practical Nursing graduates earned their degrees at the Jasper County Center in Bay Springs and received their professional pins at a ceremony recently held at the Center. Amongst the 14 graduates, three students were honored with special recognition. Earning the Academic Excellence Award for having the highest average score in her class was Quinteshia Jones of Louin. The 26-year-old initially thought she wanted to be an educator but realized she had more opportunities in nursing to help more people.

“I really wanted to contribute more to my community and through nursing I think I can make a greater impact,” said Jones. “Graduating today, overcoming a hurdle that I honestly didn’t think I could do, because I felt I could handle the academic part, but I had to work on my mindset, feels good. I was lacking confidence but my support system, everyone at school, friends and family got me through this.”

Maylazia Hardy of Louin started the practical nursing program at the main campus in Ellisville but found the smaller classrooms and accessible instructors at the Jasper County Center was just what she needed to be successful. She earned the Rising Star Award during the Pinning and Completion Ceremony for showing continuous dedication and exceptional growth in the classroom and clinical setting and her positive attitude and perseverance has enriched her professionalism and nursing knowledge.

“Nursing gives me the opportunity to be more hands on in helping people and just spread the love,” said Jones. “I love putting smiles back on the faces of individuals who feel like they don’t matter or are overcome by illness and need to be lifted up to heal. That’s a great feeling!”

The Florence Nightingale Award went to Kelli Thornton of Louin because she encompasses all the qualities of Florence Nightingale, the founder of the nursing profession by exhibiting compassion, dedication, kindness and she embodies the true spirit of nursing. Practical Nursing Instructor at the Jasper County Center, Lisa Hammons shared,

“This class has shown an exceptional amount of dedication, perseverance, compassion and excellence throughout their time in this program,” said Hammons. “They are truly an exceptional group of women who are well prepared and ready to take on the new challenge of nursing in the workplace. I am confident in their abilities and could not be more proud of their success.”

For more information about the Practical Nursing Program at Jones College, offered in Jasper and Wayne Counties and on the main campus in Ellisville, click on the website: https://www.jcjc.edu/programs/practicalnursing/

Jasper County Practical Nursing Summer Graduates

1. Gabrielle LeRandra Batton, Florence
2. McKenna Mysteè Bailey Cox, Louin
3. Jermiah Cross, Clinton
4. Maylazia Hardy, Louin
5. Nadasha Jones, Louin
6. Quinteshia Jones, Louin
7. Criston Little, Mize   
8. Joashley Moncrief, Louin      
9. Tialea Parker, Laurel
10. Monique Robinson, Newton  
11. Christauna Sanson, Laurel    
12. Kimberlea Strickland, Raleigh
13. Kelli Thornton, Louin
14. Karli Chandler Whisenhant, Vossburg

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Jones County Junior College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Jones County Junior College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 3033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Statement of Non-Discrimination and ADA Statement: Jones County Junior College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, or disability in its programs, activities, or employment practices. The (ADA/ Section 504) ADA Coordinator, Student Affairs, phone 601-477-2673, and (Title IX) Title IX Coordinator, Hutcheson Hubbard Administration Building, phone 601-477-4127, have been designated to handle inquiries and grievances regarding the non-discrimination policies. Jones County Junior College, 900 South Court Street, Ellisville, MS 39437.

ELLISVILLE – Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith hosted a special celebration for the officer team of the Rho Sigma Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society and their parents after capturing the Distinguished Officer Team Award at the International PTK Convention held in Kansas City, earlier this year. The Jones College Officers are a team of young ladies who impressed the leadership of the prestigious two-year Honor Society for various reasons. President, Meghan Torrano of Morton; VP of Leadership, Dannah Knighton of Madison; VP of Service, Baleigh Patton of Oak Grove; VP of Scholarship, Hope Houston of Laurel; VP of Fellowship, Addie Thames of Petal; Honors in Action Director, Bailey Blakeney of Mize; College Project Director, Jordan Parker of Ellisville and Treasurer and Director of Fundraising, Hannah Byrd of  State Line, were one of only 30 officer teams recognized from the more than 1200 chapters globally.

“I think we were all in shock when our names were called, because most people think having an all-girl officer team would be filled with drama, but it was a sisterhood for us filled with love for each other,” explained Torrano. “It was a very special honor to walk across the stage at the International PTK Convention with our award and representing Jones College. We worked hard together this year; it took teamwork, not just one person to earn this award.”

In addition, the Jones College PTK Rho Sigma chapter was named a Top 100 chapter out of over 1200 chapters globally at the International Convention and PTK Advisor and geography instructor, Dr. Caleb Smith was selected to present a breakout session entitled, “Preparing Your Digital Footprint for the Workforce.”

At the Spring Regional Awards Meeting held at the University of Mississippi, the JC chapter was named a 5-Star chapter, it earned the Top 10 Overall in the Region for the College Project Award and the Honors in Action Project Theme Category was selected for a Top 3 Award. Also, the officers earned the Regional Distinguished Officer Team Award.

ELLISVILLE– Approximately 100 of the 165 students earning their High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma at Jones College over the last year will be participating in a commencement ceremony held in the M.P. Bush Fine Arts Auditorium at Jones College on Thursday, July 24, at 7 p.m. Besides receiving their HSE diploma, during the ceremony, high scoring students will learn if they are a recipient of a scholarship to continue their education at Jones College.

Retired Army National Guard Colonel Robert “Bart” Bartran will be serving as the keynote speaker at the event. After serving as a military policeman and in civilian law enforcement for the last 36 years, the West Jones High School graduate is leading the charge over a new program at Jones College called, JC CORP or Counterdrug Operational Resources Program. It has been created to play a vital role in the mitigation of the drug epidemic while also enhancing community relations. Additionally, Bartran will be offering advanced training for JC’s criminal justice majors. As the Director of the JC CORP, he will be handling some of the same logistic duties he did as the Director of the Regional Counterdrug Training Academy (RCTA) through the National Guard based in Meridian.

He attended Jones College and earned his Associates Degree in Criminal Justice from Hinds Community College, before completing his Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Southern Mississippi. Bartran earned his Master’s Degree at Liberty University, with a major in Executive Leadership. Before joining the Active Guard and Reserve Programs, he graduated from the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officer Training Academy in Jackson. Over ten years, in his Civilian Law Enforcement career, Bartran served in the Ridgeland and Laurel City police departments and as a Senior Narcotics Agent for the Jones County Sheriff’s Department.

Bartran’s military training includes graduating from Federal Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia in 1995, Military Police Officer Basic Course training and being assigned to the 113th Military Police Company. He was selected as the Battalion Commander for the 112th Military Police Battalion from 2018 until 2021. After returning from being deployed overseas, Bartran served at every echelon in the state from the platoon level all the way up to the State Headquarters Primary/Special Staff and a Brigade Command Equivalent before being appointed as the Director of the Counterdrug Program for the Mississippi National Guard in 2021 and Commander of the RCTA. During his career, Bartran is credited with training more than 36,000 law enforcement professionals throughout the nation. Some of the medals and honors he earned over his career include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with one Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Governor’s final rank advancement and Honorary Promotion to Brigadier General when he retired in April 2025.