Gregory Jones served more than two decades in the United States Army before beginning a new mission at Columbia College.
A History and Education major set to graduate in 2027, Jones is preparing for a second career as a middle school social studies teacher, where he hopes to help students better understand history, citizenship and the world around them.
“After retiring from the Army, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in education, and Columbia College provided a clear path to achieve that goal,” Jones said. “The program allows me to combine my passion for history with my desire to become a teacher, while also building on the leadership and life experiences I gained during my military service.”
During his 22-year Army career as a Combat Engineer, he held leadership and training roles across the U.S. and overseas, including combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Originally starting his military career in 1999 after completing One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, Jones served at duty stations including Fort Irwin, California; Baumholder, Germany; Fort Hood, Texas; and Fort Knox, Kentucky.
The Sumter, South Carolina, native retired at the rank of Staff Sergeant, carrying with him not only the depth of experience from having visited more than 20 countries, but also a deep appreciation for the people and places that shaped his journey.
Continuing his education marked both a transition and a transformation for Jones, who describes the supportive atmosphere at Columbia College as beyond what he imagined.
“When I returned to school, I hoped to gain a strong education and prepare for a new career path,” Jones said. “What I found was a supportive academic environment with professors who truly invest in their students’ success. The experience has challenged me academically while also helping me grow personally and professionally.”
The History program, combined with Education coursework for teacher certification, has helped Jones develop research, writing and critical thinking skills. The curriculum emphasizes not only historical knowledge, but also the analysis of sources and different interpretations.
Through classroom observations and teaching experiences, he has practiced lesson planning, classroom management and student engagement. Outside the classroom, some of Jones’ favorite memories have come from building friendships with classmates from different backgrounds.
“Many of us balance school with work, families or previous careers, and those conversations outside of class have been just as valuable as the coursework,” Jones said. “It has been rewarding to be part of a community where people are working toward their goals and supporting each other along the way.”
Jones is the incoming Vice President of the Psi Phi Chapter of the Kappa Delta Pi Education Honor Society. In addition, he is a member of SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
His time on main campus has been enriched through connections gained and resources utilized at the Ousley Family Veterans Service Center.
“I especially enjoy using the (Ousley Center) lounge when I have downtime between classes,” Jones said. “It’s a comfortable space where I can relax, reset and connect with other student veterans. The staff have been consistently friendly, welcoming and helpful, which makes it easy to feel supported on campus.”
Looking ahead, Jones is eager to continue his life of service in a new form.
“My goal is to create engaging classrooms where students learn not just dates and events, but how to think critically about history and their role as citizens,” Jones said. “I enjoy helping others understand how the past shapes the world we live in today.”
