Mautra Staley Jones: Inspiring Leadership That Opens Doors to Opportunity

Leading with Purpose and People at the Center

For Mautra Staley Jones, leadership is closely tied to service. Her approach places students, faculty, staff, and the wider community at the heart of institutional decisions. Rather than viewing education only through the lens of degrees and classrooms, she sees it as a pathway to personal growth, economic opportunity, and stronger communities.

This philosophy is reflected in OCCC’s mission of “Student Success. Community Enrichment.” The institution’s values also emphasize community, stewardship, integrity, innovation, and diversity. Under Jones’ leadership, these ideas have become part of a broader effort to make the college a place where learners from different backgrounds and stages of life can find meaningful opportunities.

Her leadership style is also shaped by collaboration. Jones regularly works with business, civic, philanthropic, and educational organizations, recognizing that lasting progress requires strong partnerships. Her own words capture this shared approach: “We are on this remarkable journey together.”

That belief allows her to lead with both ambition and accountability. The focus remains not simply on what an institution achieves, but on how those achievements improve the lives of the people it serves.

Making Innovation Meaningful

Innovation under Jones is closely connected to relevance. At OCCC, new approaches are designed to help students gain useful skills, respond to workforce needs, and find flexible ways to pursue education.

During her tenure, the college has expanded online and hybrid learning, strengthened workforce training, and increased its use of micro-credentials. OCCC has also earned national attention for areas including online education, psychology, nursing, digital cinema, and cybersecurity.

One notable achievement has been OCCC’s growth as a provider of micro-credentials. The college awarded more than 17,000 micro-credentials in one year, demonstrating how shorter, skills-focused learning opportunities can complement traditional academic pathways. OCCC has also maintained a seven-year tuition freeze, reinforcing its position as an affordable option for students in Oklahoma.

For Jones, innovation is therefore not about adopting change simply because it is new. It is about finding better ways to remove barriers and prepare learners for what comes next.

Turning Challenges into Milestones

Leading a major educational institution brings complex challenges, from affordability and changing workforce needs to evolving expectations around technology and learning. Jones has approached these challenges by keeping the institution focused on its central purpose.

Her tenure has produced a series of important milestones. OCCC has received national recognition for online education, achieved a top 10 ranking for its online psychology program, and gained designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense.

Jones has also earned recognition beyond the campus. She has been named an Oklahoman of the Year, recognized as a Most Admired CEO, selected among the 100 Women to Know Across North America, and inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in recognition of her contributions to education and the state.

Yet she consistently connects these accomplishments to the larger OCCC community. Reflecting on her leadership, she has expressed gratitude toward the board, students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, and other supporters who contribute to the institution’s progress.

Building the Future of Education

Jones’ vision extends beyond institutional growth. She is focused on creating pathways that help learners move from education into fulfilling careers and productive lives.

Her future-facing approach recognizes that colleges must remain responsive to changes in technology, industry, and the workforce. Programs must evolve, partnerships must deepen, and students must have access to flexible learning options that reflect the realities of modern life.

At the center of this vision is a commitment to removing obstacles. As Jones has stated, OCCC’s purpose is to “remove barriers, open pathways, and prepare students for fulfilling lives.”

That vision positions the college not simply as an educational institution, but as an important partner in Oklahoma’s social and economic development.

An Impact That Extends Beyond the Campus

The influence of Jones’ leadership reaches well beyond OCCC. Through her involvement with corporate, civic, educational, and nonprofit organizations, she contributes to conversations about education, leadership, workforce development, and community growth. She has served on boards and advisory groups including BancFirst, the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma Watch, and national higher education organizations.

Her impact is equally important as a role model. By becoming the first African American woman to lead a non-HBCU higher education institution in Oklahoma, she created a milestone that carries meaning beyond her own career. Her journey demonstrates what becomes possible when leadership is paired with preparation, purpose, and persistence.

For these reasons, Mautra Staley Jones stands as a fitting choice for the title Most Inspiring Woman Leader of 2026. Her story is not defined only by the positions she has held or the honors she has received. It is defined by the opportunities she continues to create for others. Through her leadership at OCCC, she is helping shape an educational environment where students can discover their potential, communities can grow stronger, and institutions can prepare with confidence for the future.