Location
Ellisville, Mississippi, the home of Jones County Junior College (JC), is a city of approximately 4,500 residents. Ellisville is located just off Interstate 59, eight miles south of Laurel and 20 miles north of Hattiesburg, about 100 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico in the southeastern portion of the state. The climate is inviting, environmental conditions are good, and an excellent spirit of cooperation exists between citizens of the community and the College.
Historical Sketch
Jones County Junior College had its beginning as an agricultural high school in 1911 with an enrollment of eighty-five students and a faculty of five. In 1924, the Mississippi Legislature authorized the extension of courses offered in county agricultural high schools to include courses of college level. In 1927, Jones County Agricultural High School was one of the approximately fifty county agricultural high schools of the state offering some college work. The early campus centered on an administration and classroom building. All members of the 1927-1928 class were personally recruited by Mr. M. P. Bush, the high school superintendent, first college president, and driving force behind the establishment of JC.
With the interest and demand for college work verified, the 1928 Mississippi Legislature enacted a law authorizing the establishment of public junior colleges. This enactment, permitting the addition of two years of college work, enabled the school to become Jones County Agricultural High School and Junior College.
In 1957 Jones County Agricultural High School was separated from the junior college as a result of the reorganization plan for the public schools of the state of Mississippi. In its beginning, Jones County Agricultural High School and Junior College was supported by Jones County alone, but the junior college district expanded to include seven additional counties, each contributing college support. These additional counties are Clarke, Covington, Greene, Jasper, Perry, Smith, and Wayne.
Faculty
The teaching faculty is integral to the health and educational productivity of Jones College. Primarily concerned with instruction aimed at the needs of individual students, instructors attend professional meetings, workshops, and seminars and enroll in graduate courses on a periodic basis in order to remain current with new methods and thoughts in their educational fields.
Mission
Jones College (JC) is an open-door, two-year institution, granting Associate in Arts degrees, Associate in Applied Science degrees, Career and Technical certificates, Adult Education credentials, and Workforce credentials. JC inspires greatness by providing higher education programs and support services consistent with the ideals of a democratic society in order to meet the higher education needs of the communities of interest through postsecondary programming, workforce and economic development, and community development. To pursue these ideals, JC provides (1) human, financial, and physical resources for quality programming; (2) higher education programs to meet the needs and interests of students; (3) workforce education solutions for business and industry to enhance economic development; (4) educational support services for teaching, learning, and higher education programming; and (5) quality development through continuous planning and assessment.
Vision
JC will be the First and Best choice for students, businesses, and the community for developing relationships, maximizing potential, and improving the quality of life of all associated with the college.
Goals
Enrollment | Retention | Transfer Rate | Graduation Success | Excellence in Teaching
Values
The values of JC are:
Community Service | Engaged Learning | Integrity | Stewardship | Leadership | Health and Wellness | Work Ethics
Strategic/Operational Imperatives
- Improve the implementation of the complete cycle of the comprehensive evaluation process of all programs, services and general education core
- Enhance the teaching and learning environment
- Provide educational support services to meet the needs of students and educational programs
- Maximize the use of revenue from all available sources to financially support college programs and services
- Enhance JC’s appeal to the communities of interest via operational management and marketing
Philosophy
Jones College is committed to providing a quality education at an affordable price to meet the needs of students and communities in the Jones College district and surrounding areas. Adhering to the highest professional standards, demonstrating respect for the rights and value of the individual, and promoting the ideals of a democratic society fosters a rich culture of excellent performance and progress.
Physical Resources
The main campus of Jones College consists of 394 acres of land lying within or adjoining the southwestern section of Ellisville. Included on the campus are the following principal buildings and the athletic facilities:
The A. B. HOWARD GYMNASIUM houses the playing facilities for the men’s and women’s varsity basketball teams. In 2010, the gym was renamed to honor A. B. Howard, former instructor, coach, and athletic director. A member of the JC, MACJC, and NJCAA Sports Halls of Fame, Coach Howard served the college from 1950 to 1982.
The ACADEMIC SUPPORT CENTER provides computer labs and offices for the eLearning Center.
The AGRICULTURE BUILDING contains classrooms and faculty offices for the Horticulture, Commercial Residential Maintenance, and Agriculture programs. Campus Police is also located here.
The ALFRED AND ADELLA FOOTE CHAPEL provides a non-denominational space for special programs and events. It is named in honor of Adella Foote, former nursing instructor, and her husband, Alfred Foote, both patrons of the college. It was constructed by the generosity of the JC Foundation.
The ALLIED HEALTH CENTER contains classroom, laboratory, and office facilities for Associate Degree Nursing Division, the EMT-Paramedic, and Radiology programs.
The BOBCAT STADIUM includes Bobcat Field House, concession stand, and the Sim Cooley Field, which was named after the Bobcat’s head football coach of 27 years. The stadium is home to the college’s football team, the Bobcats.
The C. L. NEILL STUDENT CENTER/CAFETERIA has a large main dining hall, three smaller dining rooms, banquet facilities, and bookstore. It is named in honor of Mr. C. L. Neill, the third superintendent of the agricultural high school.
The CENTER FOR THE HUMANITIES contains classrooms and offices and provides housing for Journalism.
The COMMUNITY BANK PARK includes the baseball and softball fields, as well as an indoor batting facility and concessions area. It is named after the Community Bank of Mississippi, a corporate sponsor of the college’s athletic program.
The D. O. THOMS, SR., PHYSICAL EDUCATION BUILDING includes classroom and office space, as well as the Bobcat Fitness Center. It is named in honor of Mr. David Ogden “Bud” Thoms, former long-time Board of Trustees member and chairman.
The EARL L. LEWIS FORESTRY AND LIFE SCIENCE CENTER includes classroom and office facilities for Work-Based Learning, Forestry, and Culinary Arts programs. It is named in honor of Mr. Earl L. Lewis, former Board of Trustees chairman and long-time member.
The HOME AND HEALTH SERVICES BUILDING contains classroom and faculty offices for Cosmetology, Pharmacy Technology, Healthcare Assistant, and Licensed Practical Nursing programs, as well as the Campus Clinic and a 206 seat auditorium.
The HOWARD SPORTS COMPLEX includes the Bobcat Stadium, baseball and softball fields, tennis courts, and a pavilion for meetings and events. It is named for Billy and Linda Howard, supporters of the college.
The HUTCHESON-HUBBARD ADMINISTRATION BUILDING contains the administrative offices, including President’s Office, Student Affairs Office, Business Office, and Instructional Affairs Office. It is named in honor of Mr. John Hutcheson and Mr. F. J. Hubbard, the first and second superintendents of the original agricultural high school.
The INDUSTRIAL SERVICES CENTER includes vocational shop areas, classrooms, computer lab and faculty offices for Air Conditioning/Refrigeration, Auto Mechanics, Precision Manufacturing, Commercial Truck Driving, and Welding programs.
The J. B. YOUNG CENTER FOR BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY provides office/classroom space for academic faculty teaching in the university-parallel Business Department and Career and Technical faculty teaching in business-related programs including Information Systems Technology, Business Office Technology, Paralegal Technology, and Marketing/Management Technology. The building also provides office/classroom space for Electrical, Electronics, CAD Engineering, and Civil Engineering. It is named in honor of Mr. James Bonnard Young, the second president of the junior college.
The JONES HALL was opened in 2011. Named after the College’s founding county, the 69,000 square foot facility houses Humanities and Social Science Divisions, as well as the Alumni and Foundation offices. Also located here is the Tullos Suite, named after Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Tullos of Raleigh. The Java Cat Coffee Shop operates in the facility.
The KING CHEMISTRY CENTER has lecture halls, laboratories, and offices for the chemistry department. It is named in honor of J. W. and Jim King, patrons of the college.
The M. P. BUSH FINE ARTS BUILDING has a 1,400 seat auditorium, fine arts faculty offices and classrooms, as well as teaching facilities for piano, organ, voice, band, and chorus. It is named in honor of Mr. Millard Perry Bush, the first president of the college.
The McCLELLAN HALL provides housing for Marketing, Public Relations Offices, and Recruiting.
The PRESIDENT’S HOME, located near Jones College lake, is the residence of the President of the College.
The RESIDENCE HALLS provide housing for men and women on campus. Covington, Greene, Jasper, Smith and Clarke Halls are the men’s residence facilities, housing approximately 410 men. Women’s residence halls, Anderson and Wayne, accommodate 475 female students. Residence halls contain apartments for resident managers and assistants. Anderson Hall, which opened in 2011 and expanded in 2013, is named after an alumnus and long-time supporter, Sidney “Buck” Anderson.
The STRINGER-HUFF MATHEMATICS CENTER provides classroom and office space for the Mathematics Division. It is named in honor of Mr. Carmel Stringer and Mr. Andrew Jackson Huff, former long-time board members.
The UNION, located behind the A.B. Howard Gymnasium, was redesigned in 2013 to serve as a central gathering place for Jones College students. The Union features seating areas, television, wireless Internet access, and food-court seating. Sodexo, Inc. operates a Taco Bell and Bobcat Grill inside The Union.
The TECHNOLOGY SERVICES CENTER provides space for the Information Technology Department. The Child Care and Culinary Arts programs are also located here.
The TERRELL TISDALE LIBRARY is home for the college’s office of Enrollment Services and Bobcat Brigade. Focused on student achievement, the center provides an array of counseling, tutoring, and other services. In addition to the book, media, and periodical collections, the library provides access to online research resources and the Mississippi Room. The Bobcat Coffee Shop operates in the facility. In 1993 the Memorial Library was renamed in honor of T. Terrell Tisdale, President of the College from 1970 to 1997.
The THOMAS H. HARRIS SCIENCE BUILDING contains classrooms, laboratories, and faculty offices for biological and physical sciences.
The VISUAL ARTS CENTER AND EULA BASS LEWIS GALLERY provides faculty offices, and lecture and lab space for ceramics, painting, and drawing classes. The center also houses the Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery.
Off Campus Facilities
The RONALD E. WHITEHEAD ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY CENTER, located in Howard Technology Park, includes career assessment and placement, work force training, and adult basic education. It provides space for customized technology training in numerous classrooms, a 285 seat auditorium, a robotic training center, and a Festo mechatronics training lab.
The CLARKE COUNTY CENTER opened in 2015 and is located in Stonewall, Mississippi. Academic, Adult Education, Career Technical and Workforce classes are offered at the Clarke County Center. Welding, CDL, ELPT as well as Industrial and Oilfield Safety Classes are offered at various times to meet the demands of the local population. Short term Workforce classes can be tailored to meet the needs of local industry. The 15,400 sq. ft. center consists of 2 buildings, 7 classrooms, a welding lab, petroleum lab as well as a large outside yard with facilities to host forklift, confined space, fall protection and marine firefighting.
The GREENE COUNTY CENTER is located in Leakesville, Mississippi. The 20,240 sq. ft. facility offers Academic courses, Adult Education, CTE programs and Workforce Training for Greene and Perry County. The current CTE programs offered at the Greene County Center are Welding, Pipefitting, and Commercial Truck Driving. These programs are offered in morning, afternoon and night formats.
The JASPER COUNTY CENTER, located in Bay Springs, Mississippi, opened in 2015 and is 31,460 square feet. The Jasper County Center’s community building offers a meeting/classroom, an adjacent kitchen and 250 seat auditorium that can be rented for large group meetings. This center offers Adult Education and Academic courses along with machining, millwright, welding and Certified Nurse Assistant through Workforce Training.
The WAYNE COUNTY CENTER, a 12,000 square foot facility, opened in 2013 and is located in the city of Waynesboro, Mississippi. Adult Education, Academic courses, Career and Technical courses, Workforce Development training and community enrichment classes are offered at the center.
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