Mautra Jones
Mautra Staley Jones advances and elevates each institution she touches. Jones has become one of the nation’s most 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, 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. Jones serves as a board director for BancFirst and BancFirst Corporation, South Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, Oklahoma Hall of Fame, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma Philharmonic Society, Oklahoma Watch, the Oklahoma City and County Historical Society and the Oklahoma City Industrial & Cultural Facilities Trust.
Furthermore, she is 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). She is also a member of Young President’s Organization (YPO). Numerous organizations have honored Jones for her service and leadership to our state and nation. Dr. Jones was named an Oklahoman of the Year by Oklahoma Magazine, 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. The Oklahoma Hispanic Institute honored her with the Vision Engagement and Pursuit Award for her efforts in advancing the history, culture, education, economic and community stature of the Hispanic communities.
In addition, she was inducted into the Oklahoma African American Educators Hall of Fame in 2022 and has been named Woman of the Year by 405 Magazine, Journal Record, Perry Publishing and Broadcasting, and With Love OKC. 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 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 Jones and her achievements.
Jones holds a B.A. in Journalism from the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Oklahoma and was named a 2023 Distinguished Alumni. In addition, she holds an M.B.A. from the University of Phoenix at San Diego and an Ed.D. from Vanderbilt University’s prestigious Peabody College of Education and Human Development. She is married to United States District Judge Bernard M. Jones II, and they are the proud parents of three children.
