Meridian Community College Foundation executive director Kathy Brookshire will retire from her role at the college organization this summer, an announcement just weeks after the college’s president said he plans to also step down at the same time.

Brookshire said timing of her retirement with MCC President Scott Elliott’s retirement wasn’t planned.

“For me, it’s the right time,” Brookshire said during a MCC Foundation board of directors meeting Tuesday. “There’s not a day in these 17 years that I have not enjoyed getting up everyday and doing this job.”

While the search process has just started to fill Elliott’s role, the search for the college’s next associate vice president for development and MCC foundation’s executive director has already ended.

Barbara Jones, former MCC vice president for operations who has worked for the college for more than 25 years, will lead the fundraising operation beginning July 1. 

Brookshire and Jones have multiple similarities and connections. Each graduated from MCC and worked as an educator. They also happen to be best friends. Jones even served on the search committee when Brookshire was hired 17 years ago.

“I hope Barbara’s experience at the school and being from the area will help the new president,” Brookshire said.

Jones said she understood the challenge of taking the role of the foundation after Brookshire’s consecutive years of increased fundraising. Currently, the MCC Foundation raises more than $1 million annually, nearly three times what the foundation raised when she began the role in 2000. Since 2007, the foundation has raised more than $1 million, including $2.5 million in 2015 and $5.8 million in 2016.

“I hope I’ll be able to provide the same level of fundraising she does,” Jones said, standing next to Brookshire.

Among the fundraising efforts, the MCC Foundation has benefitted around 7,000 students through the tuition guarantee program, which ensures tuition expenses for four semesters are covered for students who graduate from a school within Lauderdale County or someone who grades from homeschool and resides in the county and meet academic requirements. The foundation also provides endowed scholarships and other financial support at the college.

Along with her new role at MCC, Jones also serves as president of the Lauderdale County Board of Education.

MCC Foundation Board president Tim Hogan said Brookshire has been a model leader for the organization who showcased the right temperament and approach to a position that requires establishing and maintaining relationships with financial donors.

“Her level of enthusiasm is contagious,” Hogan said.

Jones said she will work with Brookshire until she leaves the position on June 30. The current executive director has plenty of advice and enthusiasm to dispense before she leaves the position.

“You have to be sincere,” she said. “You have to believe in your product and ask from your heart.”