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Accelerated Degree Program Gears Up at MC's Flowood Center


Mississippi College is looking for more students like Gwendolyn Thomas Whittington.

A pastor’s wife, Whittington recently became MC’s first Accelerated Degree Program graduate to earn a degree in sociology in May 2010.

This summer, MC staffers are actively recruiting more ADP students like her when the university’s new Flowood Center begins classes in late August.

A blitz of TV commercials on Jackson stations is spotlighting the center and its academic offerings. So are a series of information sessions in the Rankin County community in July and August.

MC’s ADP graduates and school administrators are helping spread the word, too.

Consistently making “A” grades at Mississippi College, Whittington “was the kind of student every professor desires to have in class,” said Gary Mayfield, dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. “Gwen set the standard for not only her fellow ADP students, but for all students in class.”

Whittington checked on several higher education opportunities in metro Jackson. But in the final analysis, she said “Mississippi College as a Christian university kept ringing in my ears.” The former Alcorn State University student enrolled for the first time at MC’s Madison satellite location in 2008. She began her Alcorn studies in 1981, spent two years on the Lorman campus, and later worked for a dozen years, including service as a substitute teacher. The 46-year-old Mississippi native is a busy full-time mom with three sons, a husband and a grandchild.

Catering to working adults with evening classes twice a week, ADP classes seemed like a good fit,  Whittington said. “My entire tenure at MC was a beautiful experience.” She’s now exploring options to enroll in a master’s degree program on MC’s Clinton campus this fall. “I love education.”

At the Flowood center, students can sample from all of MC’s ADP classes, including business administration, accounting, marketing, public relations and sociology. The facility is next -door to the Flowood Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center and MC signs should go up in early July. Later, the center will provide graduate level and continuing education classes.

Mayfield said he’s hoping the new center will provide a nice boost for all of the university’s ADP programs. The university’s two satellite locations in Madison and Brandon will close as the school makes way for the facility with eight classrooms in a renovated building off Lakeland Drive. It is conveniently located near the Dogwood Festival mall.

“Everybody in Flowood is excited we are coming,” says Chad Phillips, director of enrollment services.

Count Flowood resident Kim Allison among those eyeing MC classes in her hometown. “Everything is right there. This is also five minutes away from work.”

At upcoming information sessions to explain what the center offers, MC School of Business Dean Marcelo Eduardo will lead the discussions. The dates are set for July 22, August 5 and August 12. Beginning at 5:30 p.m., the evening sessions will be at the River Room Conference Center across the street from the university’s new facility. ADP registration for the first fall session is set for August 19. Classes start August 23.

For more information, contact MC’s Office of Enrollment Services at 601.925.3800.