Mississippi Delta Community College (MDCC) celebrated a historic milestone on Dec. 10 with its first-ever commencement ceremony for incarcerated students at the Mississippi State Penitentiary (MSP) in Parchman. The ceremony, held at 10 a.m., conferred degrees upon five graduates, each of whom earned membership in the Phi Theta Kappa honor society.
The inaugural graduating class includes Jawan Davis and Shanta Jones, who graduated summa cum laude; Domiano Ratcliff and Larry Smith, who graduated magna cum laude; and Tommie Jones, who graduated cum laude. The event featured a processional performed by Michael Jackson on piano and Amanda Mayo on violin and included graduate reflections from each of the five candidates.
“Today, Mississippi Delta Community College proudly celebrates a historic milestone: the graduation of our first cohort of incarcerated students,” said MDCC President Dr. Steven Jones. “This achievement reflects the transformative power of education and the determination of students who pursued learning under challenging circumstances. Their success is a testament to their resilience, to the dedication of our faculty and staff, and to the strong partnership with our correctional institutions.”
“Together, we have demonstrated that opportunity can change lives, open doors and strengthen communities,” Dr. Jones continued. “To our graduates: your hard work, perseverance and commitment have brought you to this moment. You have shown that your past does not define your future. We are honored to stand with you as you take this important step forward. Congratulations to each of you on this historic accomplishment.”
The ceremony included remarks from MSP Superintendent Scott Middlebrooks and Commissioner Burl Cain. Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, president and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa, served as the guest speaker. The ceremony also featured a powerful and inspiring performance by the Parchman Family Choir, whose music underscored the hope, resilience and transformative spirit of the occasion. Degrees were then conferred by President Jones and diplomas were presented by Dr. Jones and James Gary, dean of Enrollment Management.
“I am incredibly proud of our graduates and the perseverance they have shown in reaching this moment,” said Dr. Valarie Morgan, vice president of Instruction & Accreditation/Provost. “Their success is a testament to their determination and the power of education. This program stands on the shoulders of many who believed in its mission, and today we see the fruits of that vision. I look forward to many more celebrations like this in the future and to the continued growth of our prison education programming. Together, we are transforming lives and creating opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom.
”This graduation marks a key achievement for MDCC’s Prison Education Program (PEP), which began at Parchman in the spring of 2021 and has since expanded to four additional correctional facilities across the Delta. The program’s growth was recently bolstered by a $499,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation to support a full-time program coordinator and enhanced academic services.
“From the beginning of MDCC’s program at the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Spring of 2021, our
students have risen to every challenge,” said Dr. Ben Cloyd, Vice President of Enrollment Management.
“The trail-blazing spirit of today’s graduates is why the program has continued to grow. Not only should our graduates be proud of their personal accomplishments, but their perseverance will also ensure that other incarcerated students, not just at Parchman—but around the state of Mississippi—will have these opportunities as well.”
The ceremony concluded with a benediction from Rep. Otis Anthony. The event underscores MDCC’s
commitment to providing transformative educational access and strengthening communities across the Mississippi Delta and beyond.
