Dr. Steven J. Jones named tenth President of Mississippi Delta Community College

Story from Mississippi Delta CC:
MOORHEAD, Miss. (Dec. 11, 2024) – The Mississippi Delta Community College Board of Trustees announce the appointment of Dr. Steven J. Jones as the tenth President of the College, effective January 1, 2025. Jones currently serves as Vice President of Administrative and Student Services at the College. He succeeds Dr. Tyrone Jackson, who retired this year after serving as President since 2019. Teresa Webster currently serves as Interim President, stepping in to take the helm upon Jackson’s retirement.
 
“I’m extremely honored to be selected as the next president of Mississippi Delta Community College,” said Dr. Steven J. Jones. “I thank the Board of Trustees for placing their trust in me to lead our institution into the next chapter. I consider this appointment to be a true blessing from God, and I give Him all the praise. I look forward to working alongside my esteemed colleagues to move the institution forward. I would be remiss if I didn’t take this opportunity to thank Interim President Teresa Webster for her steadfast determination and success in leading our institution during this time of transition.”
 
Jones is a native of Taylorsville, MS. He holds an associate degree from Hinds Community College and a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Mississippi College. He obtained a graduate certificate in community college leadership and a Ph.D. in higher education administration from The University of Southern Mississippi, along with a certificate in diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace from the University of South Florida. In 2022, Jones completed the Mississippi Community College Policy Fellowship, a partnership between the Mississippi Community College Board and Advocacy Build. In 2024, Jones completed the Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship, a prestigious program aimed at developing exceptional leaders in higher education.
 
Prior to pursuing a career in higher education, Jones served as a senior paralegal and law firm administrator for Michael R. Brown Law Offices, PLLC. While in the legal profession, he was elected president of the Mississippi Paralegal Association and appointed to serve on the Paralegal Advisory Boards at Hinds Community College, Holmes Community College and Tulane University.
 
Though successful, Jones felt a pull to make a career change that would allow him to make a difference in the lives of others. He continued to pursue his education and shifted his focus from law to the field of education. His passion for helping students reach their full potential led him to find a home in higher education.
 
His career in education began at Hinds Community College. Before serving in administration at Mississippi Delta Community College, he served at Hinds as the Executive Director of Title III and Sponsored Grants, where he was directly responsible for managing over $7 million annually in grant funds and over $18 million in total. He also served as Associate Director of Student Housing and Residence Life, and Director of Student Housing and Residence Life/Deputy Title IX Coordinator.
 
Jones serves on the Higher Education Research and Development Institute (HERDI) Innovate Advisory Board. As a member of the HERDI Innovate Advisory Board, he has the opportunity to influence the products and services that corporations across America provide to community colleges nationwide.
 
In addition to his role with HERDI, Jones lends his expertise to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) by evaluating other community colleges outside Mississippi. His involvement in this rigorous review process underscores MDCC’s commitment to maintaining high standards of educational excellence and compliance. He is also a member of the oldest historically African American fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity, Inc. In his spare time, Jones enjoys traveling and spending time with his family.
 
The appointment concludes a search launched in the summer of 2024 and led by a search committee chaired by Trustee Frank Dantone of Greenville. The search committee enlisted the assistance of an educational consulting firm led by Dr. William Lott.