Danville Community College (DCC) is proud to announce that Maurice A. Jones, Former Secretary of Commerce for the Commonwealth of Virginia and Former Deputy Secretary for the U.S. Department of Housing, Founder and CEO of MJConnects, Vice President of News at WHRO Public Media, current Virginia Foundation for Community College Education Board Member and past VCCS State Board Member from 2021-2025, will serve as the keynote speaker for its 2026 Commencement ceremony. The ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Averett University North Campus.
Jones is a nationally recognized leader whose career spans government, media, economic development, and nonprofit leadership. He currently leads MJConnects, a professional services firm focused on strategy, consulting, and economic mobility, while also overseeing newsroom operations and strategic growth at WHRO Public Media.
Throughout his career, Jones has held some of the nation’s most influential leadership roles. He previously served as President and CEO of FirstGen Forward, a national organization dedicated to advancing the success of first-generation college students, where he helped expand partnerships to 500 colleges across 48 states. He also served as the inaugural CEO of OneTen, leading a coalition of major companies committed to creating career pathways for individuals without four-year degrees, efforts that resulted in tens of thousands of Americans being hired and promoted into family-sustaining careers.
Jones’s public service includes serving as Secretary of Commerce and Trade for the Commonwealth of Virginia and as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), where he managed a $40 billion budget and oversaw the agency’s day-to-day operations. His leadership experience also includes serving as President and CEO of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), one of the nation’s largest community development organizations, where he expanded investments and partnerships to drive economic opportunity nationwide.
“Commencement is a time to celebrate the determination and achievements of our students as they prepare to take their next steps,” said Dr. Cornelius Johnson, President of Danville Community College. “Maurice Jones has dedicated his career to expanding opportunity and strengthening communities. His leadership and commitment to economic mobility and education make him an inspiring voice for our graduates as they move forward into their careers and continued education.”
A Rhodes Scholar, Jones earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Hampden-Sydney College, a Master of Philosophy in International Relations from the University of Oxford, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia.
“I’m honored and delighted to share in the joy of this special day with the graduates of Danville Community College and their family, friends and loved ones I look forward to the many contributions these graduates will make to their communities, the Commonwealth, the country and the world," said Jones. "What a blessing for our beloved state to have a Danville Community College to prepare our talent to make the world a better place. Thank you to the entire Danville Community College family!”
DCC’s Commencement ceremony will honor the Class of 2026 and celebrate graduates from across academic and workforce programs. Family, friends, faculty, and staff will gather to recognize this important milestone and the bright futures ahead for DCC students.
For more information about Commencement 2026, visit www.danville.edu/graduation.
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