Mr. John Jones addressed a group of Upward Bound juniors and seniors on Wednesday, November 20, 2013.  Mr. Jones, who participated in the program at Southern Arkansas University (2002-2005), encouraged the students to have a vision, set goals, and remain focused.  Students were impacted by the fact that he, himself, grew up in a small town, and had achieved success in spite of his circumstances.  It helped them to envision how they, too, can make it in the world regardless of where they come from.

John Jones currently serves as Director of the Center for Multicultural and Diversity Education at the University of Arkansas, where he and his staff work diligently to enhance the university’s efforts to recruit, retain and graduate students from underrepresented groups. Prior to his current role in diversity affairs, John worked in student affairs at the U of A as a graduate assistant for the Center for Community Engagement, and then as the Coordinator of Traditional Commuter Student Programs for Off Campus Connections. John is a native of Bradley, Arkansas and a two-time alumnus of the University of Arkansas, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in 2010, and a Master of Education degree in Higher Education in 2012. He believes that were it not for the grace of God and the involvement and commitment of dedicated mentors, he would not be where he is today.   When asked what impact the Upward Bound program had on his future, he simply stated, “Upward Bound saved my life.”  John loves mentoring students and is so passionate about helping them achieve their full potential in life. He and his wife Bridgette have two daughters, Èva and Khloe.