It was the first day of Women’s History Month, even Jones herself made history as the first Black woman to lead a higher education institution in Oklahoma. It was also her late mother’s birthday, Donna Staley.

Jones has also been recognized as the 2020 Journal Record Woman of the Year. Jones was the most recipient of the 2021 American Mothers Inc. Oklahoma Mother of the Year and went on to win the national title of Mother of the Year. 

Jones acknowledged her newly appointed position by saying, “Not only do I feel prepared; I feel honored and happy to be a  part of this journey and to continue building on the legacy of OCCC.”

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