Nationwide — Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) President Dr. Mautra Staley Jones has been inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, the state of Oklahoma’s highest honor. She was recognized for her historic presidency and her commitment to bridging the gap between higher education and the workforce through partnerships and innovation.
Dr. Jones made history in 2022 as the first woman and first person of color to lead OCCC, the state’s fourth largest institution of higher learning. With her appointment, she achieved another milestone, becoming the first woman of color to lead any Oklahoma college or university that is not a Historically Black College or University (HBCU).
Under her leadership, OCCC has strengthened its academic profile, expanded access to high-demand programs, and continued to keep students at the center of every major decision.
“OCCC is a place where students from every background and way of life are succeeding,” said Jones. “My hope is that my induction continues to inspire students to realize that there’s nothing they cannot achieve if they work hard, stay focused, and embrace every opportunity before them.”
A native Oklahoman, Dr. Jones is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma. She holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix at San Diego, and she received her Doctorate in Education from Vanderbilt University.
A leader in the fields of higher education, philanthropy, and business, Dr. Jones is active in her community. She serves as a Board Director of BancFirst and BancFirst Corporation, the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma Watch, and the Oklahoma City Industrial & Cultural Facilities Trust. She is also a board advisor for OKC for Soccer. Dr. Jones serves on the National Science Foundation’s Committee on Equal Opportunities in Science and Engineering (CEOSE), the Higher Learning Commission’s Credential Lab Advisory Board, and is a presidential mentor for the Rutgers University MSI Aspiring Leaders Program. She is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), a Salt and Light Leadership (SALLT) Fellow, a graduate of Leadership Oklahoma City (Class XXIX), and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., VEST, and Rotary Club 29.
Dr. Jones’s exceptional leadership and dedication have earned her widespread recognition. She has been recognized by Forbes as a Top 10 Black CEO to Watch; by MSN as one of its ten Inspirational Female Icons, as National Mother of the Year by American Mothers, Inc., Oklahoma Citizen (OKCityan) of the Year by OKC Friday, and Oklahoman of the Year by Oklahoma Magazine. The Journal Record honored her as Oklahoma’s Most Admired CEO for public companies, and she was acknowledged as one of the 100 Women to KNOW Across North America. KFOR/Nexstar recognized her as Oklahoma’s Remarkable Woman.
Dr. Jones is married to The Honorable Bernard M. Jones, II, and the couple has three children.
Founded in 1927, the Oklahoma Hall of Fame honors extraordinary Oklahomans who have made significant contributions to the state, nation, and world through outstanding service and achievement. In addition to Dr. Jones, the Oklahoma Hall of Fame Class of 2025 included Ronnie Dunn, Eddy Gibbs, Taylor Hanson, Bert Mackie, Dr. Michael Mares, and Sam Presti.