With two decades of education under her belt, Jaycee Butler has joined Meridian Community College as the executive assistant to the vice president for institutional advancement and MCC Foundation office coordinator.

Butler’s connection with the college started early; she began her academic journey at MCC in 1997, studying for two years before transferring to the University of Southern Mississippi and Mississippi State University.

“I was majoring in speech pathology, but I really wanted to be a teacher,” she said, explaining her initial career path. She would find her calling in the elementary school classroom and the school library.

“Coming to MCC thrills my soul,” she said. “While I’ll always be a teacher at heart, I love the camaraderie, collaboration and creativity that comes with this role,” Butler said. She credits her formative years at MCC for teaching her valuable and foundational study and planning skills.

Butler has seen her alma mater’s presence grow in the community, recognizing the enthusiasm and family-like atmosphere on campus.

“Something is booming here, and I want to be a part of that. Everyone is always smiling and happy; the enthusiasm is contagious,” she said.

Her husband, Eric, works in anesthesia at Ochsner Rush Health, and they have been married for 24 years, having been high school sweethearts. They have two children: Grant, 18, who will attend Mississippi College in the fall to pursue a degree in Christian studies and music, and Lila, 15, a sophomore at West Lauderdale High School.