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Mautra Jones brings years of experience to OCCC By Linda Miller
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r. Mautra Jones may be a newcomer on the campus at Oklahoma City Community College, but she brings with her years of experience and a resume that now includes a couple of noteworthy firsts. On March 1, Jones took office as college president after serving in higher education administration at Langston University. She is the first Black woman named president at a non-Historically Black College or University in state history. She is also the first female to lead OCCC. It’s a leadership role she has been preparing for most of her adult life. Her passion for education is rooted in her experience. “I learned early on the transformative effect of education, especially for those of us who come from underserved communities. Education was and continues to be the great equalizer that changed my life’s trajectory. It was through education that I went from being a child from humble beginnings to now leading Oklahoma’s fourth largest institution of higher learning.” Though she’s been on campus only a short time, her vision for the college is clear. It’s one of exceptionalism that elevates and advances a
12 ion Oklahoma March/April March/April2022 2022
Dr. Mautra Jones, president of Oklahoma City Community College. Photo provided
mission of student success and community enrichment, she said. “We can and should be excellent in all that we do. With this as my foundation, I hope to transition OCCC from being one of many options
