OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) President Dr. Mautra Staley Jones has been named the Most Admired CEO for Public Companies by The Journal Record.
Dr. Jones was honored among 40 business, nonprofit and community leaders at The Journal Record’s Most Admired CEOs and Financial Stewardship awards event on April 28 at the Skirvin Hilton. OCCC Regent Dr. Christie Burgin and Chief Financial Officer Cynthia Gary were also honored with Financial Stewardship awards.
“Each year, The Journal Record’s Most Admired CEOs program highlights the kind of leadership that defines, and often redefines, what it means to do business in Oklahoma. The 2025 honorees lead across industries, missions and business models, but they share one thing in common: They’ve earned the respect of their peers through vision, integrity and measurable impact,” said Emily Gregg, Digital Productions Editor.
“I thank The Journal Record for bestowing on me this distinguished honor, and I congratulate and thank my fellow CEO and Financial Stewardship Award honorees for their collective contributions and commitment to making our state stronger,” said Jones. “I am equally grateful to my OCCC family—Regents, faculty, staff, and students—whose support and dedication to the advancement of our mission inspire me each day.”
Under her dynamic leadership, OCCC has gained national prominence for academic excellence, affordability, and innovation. Newsweek recognized OCCC as one of America’s Top Online Colleges for 2025, while Forbes Advisor ranked its online associate degree in psychology among the nation’s top ten. The college’s award-winning nursing program, Gray Frederickson Digital Cinema Program, and cybersecurity offerings have garnered prestigious accolades and top-tier rankings. As Oklahoma’s largest micro-credential provider, OCCC offers nearly 60 options and has awarded over 13,300 certifications in the past year. The college has held tuition flat for seven consecutive years and has received the Tree Campus Higher Education designation for 13 straight years.
Dr. Jones was previously recognized as a Most Admired CEO in 2023 and 2024. In 2023 she received the top honor having been named the overall winner in the public companies category; thus, making this the second time she has been named Most Admired CEO.
