Dr. Jonathan Woodward has been named the vice president of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College’s Jefferson Davis Campus, Naval Construction Battalion Center and Keesler Center. Previously, he was chair of the Fine Arts Department at the college’s Jackson County Campus in Gautier, and he also worked in the Gulfport School District.

Woodward holds a doctorate in higher education administration with an emphasis in instructional technology from The University of Southern Mississippi, including a Community College Leadership Certificate. He also earned master of music education and bachelor of music education degrees from USM with a double emphasis in vocal/choral music and classical guitar/instrumental music.

Before coming to MGCCC, he taught or supervised choral music at West Elementary, Central Middle, Bayou View Middle and Gulfport High schools, all in the Gulfport School District. While serving in the Gulfport School District, he was honored as Teacher of the Year at West Elementary and was awarded several grants, including the America’s Unsung Heroes Award. While serving in Gulfport, he coordinated vocal music for the Gulfport School District for three years, and he was the MHSAA District VIII chairperson. Gulfport High School was named Mississippi’s Best Fine Arts Department in 2002-2003 while he was the choral director there.

Starting as an instructor at MGCCC in August 2004, Woodward taught choir, small singing ensemble, music theory, private voice, private guitar and various other music classes. He served as president of the Mississippi Community College Choral Director’s Association from 2006-2008. In this role, he organized statewide choral festivals involving hundreds of students and all 15 Mississippi community colleges.

Woodward was named fine arts chair at the Jackson County Campus in April 2006. Under his leadership, the Fine Arts Department experienced growth both quantitatively and qualitatively. In 2008, he was named the dean of Instruction for the campus, serving in that role for six years. The Association of Educational Office Professionals (AEOP) honored him as MGCCC’s Administrator of the Year for 2013-2014, and he was named the Jackson County Campus Administrator of the Year by AEOP in 2011-2012 and 2013-2014.

Woodward helped to lead MGCCC to a flawless SACS review in fall 2010, which means no recommendations were given. He has served on a myriad of committees while at MGCCC, including the Mississippi State Dean’s Association.

Outside of school, Woodward has a variety of interests. Recently, he presented at the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools 2012 annual meeting and the American Educational Research Association 2013 annual meeting. He is actively involved in church work and is currently the worship pastor at Crosspoint Church in Gulfport. He enjoys composing, arranging, producing and performing music.