The Stone County Economic Development Partnership proudly celebrates the people who make our community extraordinary through the “Gems of Stone County” recognition. These outstanding leaders embody dedication, service and leadership, shaping Stone County into a compassionate and vibrant place. Just like rare gems, they shine through their remarkable contributions and lasting impact on the community.
When you talk with Dr. Mary Graham, president of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC), you hear two things come through repeatedly — her deep love for Stone County and her firm commitment to education. A lifelong resident, she has become both a leader in higher education and a cornerstone of her community. Her story, from being the youngest of eight children to the leader of the largest community college in Mississippi, captures the spirit of Stone County itself and secures her place as a “Stone County Gem.”
Dr. Graham’s ties to Stone County run deep. After Hurricane Camille, her family relocated from Biloxi, and from the second grade on, she grew up surrounded by the friends, family, and local traditions that still shape her today.
Dr. Graham’s early life was shaped by strong examples of dedication and service. Her father worked at MGCCC, while her mother gave her time both at a local nursing home and later at the college as well. That commitment to community left a lasting mark, not only on Dr. Graham but on her family, as her three children each attended Gulf Coast too. For her, education has always been more than a personal achievement; it is a force that strengthens communities. She carried that belief with her as she earned her bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate at the University of Southern Mississippi, often reflecting on her early days trying to find her place in the workforce.
“I started in mental health counseling, and thought I’d have a career at that, but an opening at MGCCC in the late 1980s brought me back home,” she recalls. That opportunity changed the course of her life, and she never looked back. Over the years, she has held nearly every leadership role at the college – recruitment counselor, director of admissions, registrar, workforce director, vice president, and now president. That breadth of experience has given her a deep understanding of the college’s operations and a rare perspective on its growth.
Her leadership has helped expand opportunities well beyond the classroom. She played a key role in developing workforce training programs and forging partnerships with local industries, ensuring the college stays aligned with regional needs. Today, MGCCC serves more than 25,000 students annually across 11 locations in a four-county district—Harrison, Jackson, George, and Stone. Nearly 15,000 of those students are enrolled in workforce programs, preparing for careers with partners such as Chevron, Ingalls, and Singing River Health System.
“Even though we’re sitting in a rural county, we have a lot of assets and resources so students get the same experience they might get if they were on a community college campus in DC, or New York” she said. “We stay ahead of the curve with innovation and progressive ways to operate. MGCCC wrote $23 million worth of grants last year to spread across all our campuses.”
She takes pride in her leadership role, visiting all campuses at least once a week and she has a history of encouraging her staff to grow and take advantage of opportunities. The proof is in the pudding, as four of her former vice presidents are now presidents at other community colleges in Mississippi.
“My leadership philosophy is about lifting others up,” she says. “I compare it to holding a ladder so others can climb.”
Even as MGCCC has grown, with the college generating $22 million in revenue in 2024, Dr. Graham never forgets the community that shaped her. She’s quick to point out that the college is more than classrooms and degrees. It’s a gathering place for the region, hosting traditions like the annual Festival of Lights, where families come together for horse and buggy rides, sparkling holiday displays and more than 100 nativity scenes. The facilities reach far beyond academics as well, serving the entire county with everything from Stone County high school football games at the stadium to fine arts performances for local elementary students.
“The college is the heartbeat of Stone County,” she says, “but my favorite thing about Stone County has always been the people. This is a place where neighbors show up to coach youth sports, volunteer at fundraisers, or support families in times of need. That spirit of connectedness, passed down through generations, makes Stone County unique.”
Dr. Graham is quick to mention local treasures beyond the college. Flint Creek Water Park holds fond memories, from family outings to the occasional teenage adventure on the lake. The walking trails, the Firehouse Museum, and the murals painted throughout the county all reflect a community that values history and creativity. She loves the county’s local events like the Stone County Fair, Pine Hill Festival or the Fourth of July fireworks at Flint Creek.
When asked to sum up Stone County in a single word, Dr. Graham pauses and then admits she cannot put it into one word.
“Committed to faith and family,” she says firmly. That, she believes, is what sets Stone County apart. “It’s a place where faith is lived openly, and you don’t always see that these days. It’s where family is the foundation and people genuinely care for each other.”
In Dr. Mary Graham, Stone County has someone who embodies the faith, family and community that she says makes it special. She and her husband Wayne, who she credits a lot of her success to, have been married 33 years and raised three children, all attending the same schools their parents did their entire educational career.
“It’s not often a child gets to start in pre-K and go all the way through high school with the same group of friends,” she says. “That’s what’s so special about Stone County. It’s generation after generation of interconnectedness. I work with people I grew up with and some of their children work on other campuses. It’s just so neat that we have that connection.”
She has spent her life investing in Stone County, through education, leadership and community service, while never losing sight of the values that matter most.