Category: Press Release

Photo by: Jayln Carter

ELLISVILLE – The demand for nurses was apparent before the Coronavirus spread to Mississippi. Now, 36 Jones College students with their Associate in Nursing degrees will be able to assist numerous medical facilities in the Pine Belt to relieve some of the vital demand for health care workers.

“We are so excited to have these 36 graduates from our program ready to move out to complete the licensing exam, NCLEX-RN and do great things in the field of nursing,” said Erin Knight, Jones College Associate Degree Nursing Division Chair. “We are very proud of the way these students have embraced these challenges to finish strong this semester. The Associate Degree Nursing faculty have been instrumental, as they always are, in challenging these students while, at the same time, helping them to be successful. I cannot praise our students and faculty enough! The resilience and compassion for nursing is truly evident in each student and faculty member.”

Eager to join the ranks of the thousands who are working in the medical field at a critical time in history is Richton’s Mallory Malone, who is feeling the pressure to do her part as a new nurse. Malone said it is also a little stressful because many residents in the Pine Belt are similarly feeling overwhelmed with the pandemic, and recent tornadoes and hailstorms.

“Through it all, I feel very confident in the skills and knowledge that I have been able to obtain through Jones College’s A.D.N. program. I find security in that. I am so eager to bring my skills and knowledge to the medical field, as well as learn from the seasoned nurses and staff around me,” said Malone.

The JC graduate explained the opportunity to learn extensively about the Coronavirus while in classes and clinicals, gives her some assurance. Yet, her concerns for the health care system being overwhelmed are still real.

“We have already been dealing with a shortage of PPE extensively in our area, but we have also done an amazing job at persevering and adapting. While I may feel uneasy at times when I think about the pandemic, I truly believe the field of medicine has always been able to adapt and we will continue to adjust and rise above this virus along with other situations we might encounter in the future,” said Malone.

The 2020 Associate Degree in Nursing Class President said she is planning on furthering her education at the University of Southern Mississippi with the goal of working in the maternity department. For more information about Jones College’s Associate Degree in Nursing program click on the website http://www.jcjc.edu/programs/adn/.

JC Associate Nurse Graduates & Hometown

Sarah Ardis, Columbia

Madison Aultman, Sumrall

Tiffany Barefoot, Sumrall

Taylor Bass, Hattiesburg

Asia Bennett, Hattiesburg

Matthew Brown, Ellisville

Tradeshia Conner, Macon

Jessica Ellzey, Soso

Allie-Rae Harvey, Hattiesburg

Jared Herrington, Laurel

Carter Jones, Ellisville

Jackalyn Kelly, Mt. Olive

Nicole Keys Knight, Collins

Mary Lawler, Hattiesburg

Brynden Long, Ellisville

Matthew Lowe, Hattiesburg

Mallory Malone, Richton

Garrett McAdory, Lucedale

Mariah McClendon, Ellisville

Sharekia (Sims) McInnis, Hattiesburg

Shae Mello, Laurel

Konika Page, Laurel

Destiny Ponder, Collins

Seth Powell, Mize

Clyneisha Reynold, Hattiesburg

Ashton Roberts, Mt. Olive

Charlsey Roberts, Waynesboro

Allyson Smith, Hattiesburg

Myrtis Smith, Hattiesburg

Kaely Sullivan, Laurel

McKenzie Tanner, Forest

Hattie Taylor, Laurel

Char Whitlock, Hattiesburg

Hannah (Broome) Williamson, Sumrall

Amey Wilson, Collins

Raquel Wood, Laurel

ELLISVILLE – Ten, new graduates of the Jones College Radiologic Technology program celebrated with their families, faculty and Jones administrators in a virtual, Ceremony of Completion. Mandy Pearson M.S. R. T. (R)., Jones College’s Radiologic Technology Director said this class has endured and persevered over the last two years overcoming several obstacles.  Halfway through the program, all of the lab equipment was removed and replaced with new, state-of-the-art equipment thanks to a grant from the Asbury Foundation. This class has also adapted to the switch in instructional changes due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. However, Pearson said these students have pushed through each challenge successfully.

“They have remained focused and determined to get to this day. We are proud of the hard work and effort they put forth to earn their degrees. We are confident each student is prepared and will be successful on their A.R.R.T. Certification Examination to become Registered Radiologic Technologists,” said Pearson.

Students in health care programs were not allowed to attend their clinical labs with concerns about spreading the Coronavirus. Sara Sadler of Columbus said she never imagined a pandemic would affect the course of her education and graduation. However, the restrictions turned out to be blessings.

“My instructors made the transition from a traditional, in the classroom setting to an online format very easily and it was understandable. Providing the virtual face-to-face lectures, notes, videos and encouraging words prepared me to conquer my final semester at Jones,” said Sadler.  “The interruptions caused by COVID-19 were blessings in disguise. Through the obstacles faced, I am more thankful for devoted instructors, I am more patient and understanding that good things take time and I am better prepared to enter the healthcare workforce.”

The virtual graduation ceremony recognized several students including Kelly Odom of Hattiesburg as the Academic Student of the Year. The honor of, Clinical Student of the Year was awarded to Emily McLaurin of Laurel. Brett Bounds of Moselle was awarded the Mississippi Society of Radiologic Technologists Scholarship and Taylor Bryant of Mize received the Mississippi Radiological Society Scholarship.

For more information about the Jones College Radiologic Technology program, http://www.jcjc.edu/programs/radiography/ or contact by email Mandy Pearson at mandy.pearson@jcjc.edu or Brittany Barron at brittany.barron@jcjc.edu.

ELLISVILLE- Jones College and WDAM-TV are continuing the tradition of honoring the Pine Belt’s Top of Class with daily feature segments on WDAM-TV. The Valedictorian and Salutatorians from two high schools are featured daily in a one-minute segment at 5:58 a.m. before News 7 Sunrise beginning on Monday, May 4, through June 5, 2020.

WDAM-TV and Jones College are proud to be able to continue the Top of Class tradition by honoring students with public recognition on TV, the WDAM-TV web page https://www.wdam.com/topofclass/ and local newspaper coverage.

Nearly100 high school students from 45 area schools have participated in the annual, special recognition program sponsored by WDAM-TV and Jones College, for more than 20 years.  However, in following the CDC guidelines for gatherings, the event was canceled. Congratulations to the Top of Class 2020!

ELLISVILLE –Jones College’s Kids’ College summer camp has been canceled to ensure the college follows the CDC guidelines regarding the Coronavirus. The summer camp has been held the first week of June for the last 13 years for kids in first through six grades. Kids had the opportunity to check out college “courses” exploring science, health and art topics. All applications and checks received have been shredded for privacy. For more information, email program director, Missie Meeks at missie.meeks@jcjc.edu.