On January 3, 2026, Dr. Carol A. Rothstein, President of Jackson State Community College, was honored with the Crown Jewel of Transformational Academic Leadership, Workforce Innovation & Student-Centered Excellence at the prestigious Diamond Awards ceremony in Atlanta, Georgia. This accolade, presented during the 20th Anniversary Celebration of The Not Alone Foundation, Inc. and the 10th Milestone Anniversary of The Academy of the Diamond Awards, recognizes her outstanding contributions to higher education.
This achievement is exceptional because the Diamond Awards are internationally regarded as "The Oscars of Civic and Community Service," honoring individuals for exceptional service, purpose, and measurable impact across professions and communities. As a first-generation college graduate and the seventh president of Jackson State Community College since fall 2023, Dr. Rothstein has driven record-breaking enrollment growth, advanced academic innovation, promoted workforce development, and emphasized equitable access and student-centered excellence—transforming the institution and benefiting communities in Tennessee and beyond through her leadership in higher education.
