MUW Alumni Association announces 2025 Alumni Award recipients
The Mississippi University for Women Alumni Association’s 2025 Alumni Award winners were honored during the university’s Homecoming Convocation April 5.
The awards recognize W graduates who embody the spirit of service, leadership and excellence in their respective fields, showcasing the lasting impact of The W on its alumni and the community.
The MUW Alumni Association Board of Directors, in collaboration with the Recruitment and Retention Committee, presented the following awards:
- Alumni Achievement Award: Kim Jobe, ‘85
- Distinguished Achievement Award: Penny Mansell, ‘02
- Alumni Service Award: Bridget Smith Ellis, ‘04
- Outstanding Recent Graduate Award: Tekita Bankhead, ‘12
“These distinguished individuals were selected for their dedication to personal success and the positive influence they continue to have on the world around them,” said Jermarra Jones-Price, ’08, MUWAA president. “They exemplify the values of The W, furthering its legacy of excellence, service and community impact.”
Alumni Achievement Award: Kim Jobe, ‘85
Kim Jobe, a Jackson, Tennessee, native, was educated in the Corinth (Mississippi) School District. After graduating from Corinth High, Jobe attended Northeast Mississippi Junior College (now NEMCC), where she was a journalism major, a member of the NEMJC Tiger Band and served as SGA vice president her sophomore year.
She transferred to The W in the fall of 1983. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Journalism with an emphasis in Public Relations in May 1985.
While at The W, Jobe was a member of the D’Belle Social Club and the BSU Ensemble. She was a feature writer and photographer for The Spectator and photographer for the Meh Lady yearbook.
After graduation, Jobe was editor of the Baldwyn News from 1985-88, news editor of the Daily Corinthian from November 1988-November 2007. In January 2008, Jobe was named special projects director at the Corinth School District. Her job duties included overseeing two Teaching American History federal grants, performing public relations duties for the district and overseeing and maintaining the CSD website. She was also photographer for the CSD.
In April 2013, Jobe had the chance to move to Fulton, Kentucky, to join her sister, nephew and his family. From 2013-June 2018, Jobe served as 21st Century Community Learning Centers site director for Fulton Independent Schools. She ran the district’s after school program, performed public relations duties and was photographer for FIS. She also maintained the district’s website and published their elementary yearbooks for four years.
In July 2018, Jobe was named Fulton County Transit Authority’s marketing director. She oversaw the agency’s driver safety simulator for the first year of employment and continues to maintain FCTA’s online social media presence, creates press releases and photos for various local media and represents FCTA at college and career fairs and other programs
Jobe is a member of Fulton First United Methodist Church, where she is a member of the chancel choir and worship team and serves as a liturgist. She is Rotary Club president-elect, a member of the Fulton Parks Board and was named Twin Cities Citizen of the year for 2023 by the Twin Chamber of Commerce (Fulton, Kentucky, and South Fulton, Tennessee). Jobe recently purchased a home in Fulton, Kentucky.
Distinguished Achievement Award: Penny Mansell, ‘02
Penny Sansing Mansell is director of the Center for Education Support atThe W, where she leads educational events, professional development, outreach and early childhood initiatives.
She oversees professional development, educational events and conferences, the Mississippi Governor’s School and early childhood outreach through the WISE Start initiative. Her leadership includes managing more than $1 million in grant-funded efforts supporting educators, capital improvements, early childhood systems development and community-based partnerships.
Mansell brings experience in education, administration and marketing and is pursuing a doctorate in rural education. Mansell serves on many boards and committees working to strengthen early childhood education for children across Mississippi. She and her husband, John, have two children, Arleigh and John David.
Alumni Service Award: Bridget Smith Ellis, ‘04
Bridget Smith Ellis, the 2025 recipient of the MUWAA Alumni Service Award, graduated from The W in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science in Communications and Journalism. This year, Ellis will obtain her Master of Arts in Journalism and Strategic Media.
During her time at The W, she was active in Highlander Social Club, Hottentot Honorary Club and served as Interclub president. In addition, Ellis was also involved with the Society of Professional Journalists as well as a staff member of The Spectator.
Ellis’ love for The W and dedication to the university continued after her graduation, as she has served on the Special Events, Public Relations, Membership Recruitment, Chapters & Constituency Groups and Strategy and Support Committees. She has served as a member of the MUWAA Board of Directors and chair of the Digital Marketing Committee from 2022-24. Currently, Ellis serves on the Nominations and Elections Committee. She has also served MUWAA as a past president, president, Zoo Day Chair and secretary of the Mid-South Chapter of the MUWAA.
Ellis is a communication specialist with the University of Memphis’ Division of Marketing and Communications. In this role, she oversees the production of printed materials, generates story ideas for various platforms and strategizes and implements comprehensive communication plans for department and university projects.
Ellis is involved in her community as co-leader of Girl Scout Troop 13580 and she is also an active parishioner of Nativity Catholic Church, where she has taught Parish Religious Education Classes and is an altar server.
She has been married to her spouse, Devon, for 20 years, and they share two daughters, Emily, 15, and Caitlin, 12.
Outstanding Recent Graduate Award: Tekita Bankhead, ‘12
Tekita Bankhead, the 2025 recipient of the Outstanding Recent Graduate Award, graduated from The W in 2012 with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She continued her education, receiving her Master of Science in Counselor Education with emphasis in student affairs administration in 2014.
During her time at The W, Bankhead was actively involved as a Centennial Scholar, a member of the Ina E. Gordy Honors College, Mortar Board National Honor Society, Hottentots Honorary Leadership Society, Student Nurses Association and the Mississippi Association of Student Nurses.
In addition to her academic involvement at The W, she is a member of the Omicron Epsilon chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, creator/president of MUW Young Black Leadership Association, student director of MUW Student Programming Board, MUW Elite Modeling Squad, Community Advisor, IMAGE (later replaced by the YBLA) and MUW Student Government Association.
Bankhead has continued her service to The W as a member and chair of the MUWAA’s One MUW Committee.
She has continued to excel professionally. Bankhead is an accomplished scholar-practitioner with various professional experiences that focus on holistic wellness, educational innovation and inclusive excellence. A native of Columbus, Bankhead has more than 13 years of experience in higher education and currently serves at Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is also a nationally recognized speaker, and her experiences have positioned her as a highly sought-after thought leader for global inclusion strategy, program development, supporting historically marginalized communities, culturally affirming mental health education, dialogic learning and student engagement.
To network with MUW graduates and support the university and its students, join the Mississippi University for Women Alumni Association. To learn more, visit longblueline.muw.edu.
About the Mississippi University for Women Alumni Association
The Mississippi University for Women Alumni Association exists to support and promote the mission of Mississippi University for Women while providing alumni engagement opportunities as the university’s officially affiliated alumni organization.