April 11, 2023
Dr. Mautra Staley Jones advances and elevates each institution she touches. Through her educational and community leadership, Dr. Jones has become one of the nation’s sought-after thought leaders.
On March 1, 2022, she became the 11th President of Oklahoma City Community College, the fourth-largest institution of higher education in Oklahoma. With her appointment, Dr. Jones made history, becoming the first woman and person of color to serve as President of the College, serving over 18,000 students. 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).
Beyond her professional life, she is an active and engaged community member, providing leadership to various corporate, civic, and charitable organizations.
Governors Kevin Stitt and Mary Fallin have appointed Dr. Jones as a board director for the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs, a commissioner for the Oklahoma Merit Protection Commission, and a member of the Oklahoma standards steering committee. In addition, Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt appointed her to the Civic Center Foundation’s board of directors.
Dr. Jones serves as a board director for BancFirst and BancFirst Corporation, South Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, Oklahoma Hall of Fame, StitchCrew, Oklahoma Philharmonic Society, Oklahoma Watch, OKC/County Historical Society and Leadership Oklahoma City’s Alumni Association. Furthermore, she is a board advisor to the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, a Salt and Light Leadership (SALLT) Fellow, a graduate of Leadership Oklahoma City (Class XXIX), a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., VEST, Rotary Club 29, Oklahoma County Bar Auxiliary and Visionary Women of Oklahoma (VOW).
Numerous organizations have honored Dr. Jones for her service and leadership to our state and nation. She was recently named Oklahoma’s Remarkable Woman by KFOR/Nexstar Media. She was inducted into the Oklahoma African American Educators Hall of Fame in 2022 and named Woman of the Year by 405 Magazine, The Journal Record, Perry Publishing and Broadcasting, and With Love OKC. Dr. Jones was awarded the 2021 National Mother of the Year and 2021 Oklahoma Mother of the Year by American Mothers, Inc. She has also been honored as an Achiever Under 40 by The Journal Record, OKC Biz, and Oklahoma Magazine, among other noteworthy achievements. Forbes Magazine recognized Dr. Jones as one of the ten top Black Higher Education CEOs to watch in 2023. Luxiere Magazine featured her as a woman of influence in 2023. Fortune Magazine, American Association of Community Colleges Journal, Diverse Issues in Higher Education, and Black Enterprise Magazine have also featured Dr. Jones and her achievements.
Dr. Jones holds a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Oklahoma, an M.B.A. from the University of Phoenix at San Diego, and an Ed.D. from Vanderbilt University’s prestigious Peabody College. She is married to United States District Judge Bernard M. Jones II, and they are the proud parents of three children.
Acting Chair of the Day and Invocator: Ciara Patterson – Harding Charter Prep
Ciara Patterson is a graduating senior at Harding Charter Prep High School. She has been involved with numerous community and philanthropic organizations in and out of school as well as excelling academically and participating in sports. She has been elected to multiple officer positions by her peers. She has recently been accepted as a Bank of America Student Leader in recognition of her commitment to community service and leadership and will complete their internship program this summer. In the fall Ciara will either attend Howard University in D.C. or The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill but remains undecided at the moment.
Acting President: Nayeli Torres
Nayeli attends the Classen School of Advanced Studies at Northeast and has been active in the art club and National Honor Society. She has been working an average of 35 hours per week and has already been promoted to front-end manager at Uptown Grocery; this while keeping up her grades! Her plans are to attend Oklahoma City Community College this fall for two years and then transfer to Colorado State University.
Acting Introduction of Guests and Teacher of the Month Intro: Bailee Yarbrough
Bailee Yarbrough is a senior at Putnam City Original High School and is an honor graduate with a 4.0 GPA and an anatomy scholastic award recipient. She holds several elected positions within her school’s many organizations. A few examples are senior class vice president, president of the environmental awareness society, captain of the Putnam City pom team, the Putnam City District Seminole Nation student representative, and a Pirateer finalist. Aside from school life, she enjoys volunteering at the University of Oklahoma’s Medical Center and has accumulated over 160 hours of community service. She will be attending South Western Oklahoma State University in the fall, majoring in Health Sciences, Bachelor’s of Biology with a minor in communications. Gratefully, she has also been selected to be a member of SWOSU’s presidential leadership council.
Acting Leader of Pledge of Allegiance/National Anthem: Victoria Mosburg
Victoria attends Western Heights High School. She is the Salutatorian of her graduating class and has been awarded Miss Western Heights and State Superintendent Arts Excellence Award. Victoria will be attending the University of Central Oklahoma as a Presidential Leadership Council Scholar to continue her classical vocal studies and prepare for a career as a vocal educator.