OCCC President Dr. Mautra Staley Jones to be inducted into Oklahoma Hall of Fame

Oklahoma City Community College President Dr. Mautra Staley Jones is one of seven honorees set to be inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame this fall. She says the honor is not just personal, it’s a reflection of family, faith, and the generations who paved the way.

Dr. Jones says Hall of Fame induction is a tribute to those who came before her

Dr. Mautra Staley Jones will join six other accomplished Oklahomans as part of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame Class of 2025. The recognition, she says, is deeply meaningful on many levels.

“It’s deeply humbling and emotional,” she said. “It represents my loved ones, my family, and their sacrifices.”

Jones says the honor reflects the hard work of her colleagues, her students at OCCC, and the quiet work done “with love and faith.”

“It affirms that servant leadership and purpose-driven work still matter,” she said. “And it’s a reminder that showing up every single day with heart can lead to something meaningful.”

A proud Oklahoman with a nontraditional path to leadership

Jones, who now leads one of Oklahoma’s largest community colleges, said her path to the presidency was anything but linear.

“I’ve served in the nonprofit and education sectors prior to making this leap into the presidency,” she said. “All the experiences I’ve had up until this point certainly led to my path here.”

She’s lived in several states, but says returning to Oklahoma to lead OCCC and serve her community has been incredibly fulfilling.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to serve, to be able to give back and pour into people and ensure that they are set up for success,” she said.

Breaking barriers and building bridges

As the first Black woman to lead a non-HBCU college in Oklahoma, Dr. Jones says her presidency carries both historical weight and personal purpose.

“It’s history-making and sacred,” she said. “It reflects transformation.”

Jones said she hopes her story inspires others to chase their dreams and believe in their ability to make change.

“I think that I’m not just a barrier breaker, but also a bridge builder for others to cross,” she said. “If you can dream it, you can be it.”

Family, faith, and legacy drive her mission

While the awards and accolades are meaningful, Dr. Jones says what she’s most proud of is being a mother.

“I’m the most proud of being a mother,” she said. “That I have three children that I get to pour in, invest in… I’m leaving such a remarkable legacy for them.”

She also credited her husband, her family, and her Oklahoma roots, saying she carries the values that define the state.

“Hard work, character, faith, family, freedom, integrity, all of the things that make Oklahomans special,” she said.

'You did it,' a personal moment of gratitude

Dr. Jones said she was traveling when she received the call that she’d be inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. Her first calls were to her husband and the woman who raised her, her grandmother.

“I called her and I said, ‘You did it.’ And she said, ‘What do you mean I did it?’” Jones recalled. “I said, ‘Your granddaughter is going to be inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.’”

“Your labor was not in vain, Grandmother,” she told her. “You didn’t have to make that sacrifice, but you did. And I’m grateful.”

Ceremony details and other 2025 honorees

The Oklahoma Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held on Thursday, November 13, at the Arvest Convention Center in Tulsa. Tickets go on sale at the end of August.

This year’s honorees include:

1. Ronnie Dunn
2. Taylor Hanson
3. Sam Presti
4. Eddy Gibbs
5. Bert Mackey
6. Dr. Michael A. Mares
7. Dr. Mautra Staley Jones