OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (Feb. 1, 2023) — Dr. Mautra Staley Jones, President of Oklahoma City Community College, has been named by Forbes a Top 10 Black Higher Ed CEO to Watch in 2023. This annual list recognizes outstanding leaders in higher education who are making a significant impact in their respective institutions and communities. This prestigious recognition acknowledges the outstanding leadership, vision, and contributions of President Jones to the field of higher education.
“The higher education CEO role entails ambassadorship, inspiring students and campus community members, vision setting and actualization, fundraising, and a whole lot of firefighting,” the Forbes article read. These ten “Black higher education CEOs continue to lead their institutions and multicampus systems in extraordinary ways. There are other outstanding higher ed CEOs who are Black, but these ten are indisputably among our nation’s best.”
“I am honored to be recognized by Forbes as one of the Top 10 Black Higher Ed CEOs to Watch in 2023,” said President Jones. “As a leader in higher education, it is my passion to create opportunities for students to reach their full potential. I am committed to leading Oklahoma City Community College in a way that prioritizes student success, and I am grateful to be a part of an institution that shares these values.”
President Jones became the 11th President of Oklahoma City Community College, Oklahoma’s fourth largest Institution of higher learning, on March 1, 2022. With her appointment, Dr. Jones made history becoming both the first woman and the first person of color to serve as President of the College. Her appointment also made Oklahoma history as she is the first African American female to serve as president of any institution of higher education in the state that is not an HBCU (Historically Black College and University).
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About Oklahoma City Community College:
Celebrating 50 years of providing unique educational opportunities for students in 2022, Oklahoma City Community College serves students preparing for college, working toward a degree or certificate or taking classes for personal enrichment. Approximately 17,000 students take courses offering college credit in more than 60 associate degree or certificate programs that lead to continued education at a four-year institution or entry into the workforce upon graduation. For more information, visit www.occc.edu.
Media Contacts:
OCCC—Devon L. Shannon, devon.l.shannon@occc.edu
