Speaker: Dr. Mautra Staley-Jones
Dr. Mautra Staley Jones advances and elevates each institution she touches. Dr. Jones has become one of the nation’s sought-after thought leaders through her educational and community leadership.
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 first 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 appointed Dr. Jones as a board director for the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs, a Commissioner for the Oklahoma Merit Protection Commission, and as an Oklahoma Standards steering committee member. In addition, Dr. Jones currently serves on the Civic Center Foundation’s board of directors, a position appointed by Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt.
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. Dr. Jones was named Oklahoma’s Most Admired CEO for public companies by the Journal Record, received the 100 Women to Know Across North America Award, and was named Oklahoma’s Remarkable Woman by KFOR/Nexstar Media. In addition, 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