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Jones is committed to approaching and connecting with students she encounters on campus, learning about their goals, challenges, and aspirations. One recent conversation was with a student who shared her journey of working full-time as a meat cutter at a local grocery store while pursuing her goal of becoming an accountant.
Through that conversation, Jones connected the student with the head of Stark State’s accounting department, introduced her to employment opportunities with a community partner, and helped her identify a degree pathway that would save her time and money while building valuable professional connections.
“In my many years of doing this, connecting with students, hearing their stories, and helping them in whatever way I can is still the highlight of my job,” Jones said. “I think it’s imperative that all faculty, staff, and students see the president engaging in these same caring commitments and embracing the values of Caring Campus.”
In recent years, Stark State has seen improvements in course completion, retention, and graduation rates, including a three-year graduation rate of 31%, up from less than 10% when Jones became president in 2012. Jones said she predicts the graduation rate will continue rising as the college builds on its current goals and initiatives.
“I attribute that progress to putting our students first in every way, shape, and form,” Jones said. “That’s what Caring Campus is all about – helping students do the best they possibly can.”
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