Colby Jubenville’s journey from a struggling Millsaps student to a top talent development expert is a story of hard work, determination and the transformative power of education. Millsaps didn’t just set him on a career path— it provided a foundation to build a life path to achieve his goals.
A Surprising Start
Colby, originally from Mobile, Alabama, was set on following his brother to Rhodes College. But a recommendation from his high school football coach, a Millsaps alum, changed that plan. After visiting the Millsaps campus, Colby felt a strong connection and knew it was the right place for him.
Looking back, he jokes, “If anyone had told me that going through oral comprehensive exams was part of the process, I would have picked a different college!” But he chose Millsaps, coming here for an education and to play football.
Academics and Athletics
Colby tackled a history major, which was no easy feat. He admits, “History was the only class where I got a C during my first semester. The other grades weren’t much better, and I wasn’t sure I’d make it.” But this struggle became a turning point for him and highlights a big part of his Millsaps experience—facing challenges, even when unprepared, and coming out stronger.
He praises professors Delana, McElvaine and Sallis for their impact on his academic journey. They taught him how to sift through and present information—skills that have been crucial in his career. “Millsaps taught me how to become a student of the process,” Colby explains. “At some point, I realized that understanding what the professor wanted from me, then taking big chunks of information and presenting them in a way that made sense, was the end game”
Football also played a big role in shaping Colby. “I think we started with 36 freshmen and ended with just a handful of seniors. Coach Ranager showed us how to use adversity to accelerate growth,” Colby reflects. “Once you adopt this mindset, it becomes your greatest competitive advantage.”
Lessons Learned
One of Colby’s key moments at Millsaps was failing his oral comprehensive exams the first time. “I wasn’t prepared and thought about quitting,” he shares. But with strong words from his mom about learning a lesson and a supportive professor, Colby went back, did the work and passed. This taught him about the importance of preparation and doing his part—lessons he now shares with his students.
Another memorable experience was playing football on Saturday mornings. “Game days were an opportunity to impose my will on the person in front of me,” he says. These field experiences (along with the long bus rides) combined with academic challenges, helped Colby build resilience and adaptability—traits that have been essential in his career.
From Student to Talent Developer
After graduating from Millsaps in 1994, Colby earned his master’s and Ph.D. at the University of Southern Mississippi and began his coaching career. He later was part of a coaching staff that started the football program at Belhaven University, which gained national recognition despite being the first year of the program. This experience ignited his passion for talent development.
Now a professor at Middle Tennessee State University, Colby runs the Center for Student Coaching and Success. His work focuses on helping others unlock their talent. “I specialize in talent development because I believe the 20s are the developmental sweet spot of your life, and I learned that at Millsaps,” he says.
Colby created a blueprint that he calls, The Talent Development Framework, which includes narrative-based coaching, emotional intelligence, growth mindset, pattern matching and stacking, market-specific knowledge, personal branding, and personal relationships. This framework helps uncover and develop their talent, learning how to compete on unique perspective, education and experience.
Full Circle
As Colby prepares to return to Millsaps for Homecoming, he reflects on how the college laid the groundwork for his success. He’ll be teaching a “Back to School” class for alumni and holding a seminar for students on talent development, sharing his framework. “If you want to get better, you need to be around people who are better than you,” he says, a lesson from Millsaps that he continues to teach others.
For Jubenville, Millsaps was more than just a stepping stone—it was where he learned to face challenges, build resilience and develop a mindset for success. “Millsaps changed my life,” he says, “and I’m grateful for the investment that the coaches and teachers made in me.”