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Jackson Prep and Mississippi College Sign Dual Enrollment Agreement


Mississippi College and Jackson Prep leaders applaud the new dual enrollment agreement. Seated: MC President Lee Royce. Also pictured MC Math Department Chairman John Travis, Jackson Prep math teacher Trina Sapen, and Jason Walton, who heads Jackson Prep.

Jackson Prep students taking math classes on the Flowood campus will soon earn academic credit at Mississippi College.

Details are contained in an agreement recently reached between leaders at the two schools. It goes into effect during the Fall 2015 semester beginning in late August.

MC President Lee Royce and Jason Walton, who heads Jackson Prep, believe the new partnership will enhance both institutions in metro Jackson.

John Travis, chairman of the Mississippi College Math Department, will oversee the dual enrollment courses. He will monitor the progress of Jackson Prep students enrolled in the math classes.

A 2012 Mississippi College graduate, Laura Hepner will teach the initial math classes on the Lakeland Drive campus under the agreement. She’s also an adjunct math instructor at her alma mater in Clinton.

Travis predicts a pretty smooth process ahead.

“This collaboration was made especially easy knowing that the on-site instructor understands Mississippi College and our commitment to academic excellence,” he said.

Others at Jackson Prep are very familiar with the 5,000-student Baptist-affiliated university in Clinton.

Jackson Prep math department chair Trina Sapen and math teacher Kimberly Van Uden are both Mississippi College graduates.

Classes to be taught at Jackson Prep under the dual agreement include college Algebra, Trigonometry and elementary statistics. Calculus may be added at a later date. The total cost per course will be $200.

Under the agreement, an MC instructor will visit the Flowood campus at least twice during the semester to meet with the Jackson Prep students and instructors participating.

Jackson Prep opened its doors in 1970. For decades, many Jackson Prep grads have pursued their college studies at Mississippi College.

“Jackson Prep students who enroll at Mississippi College are very successful,” says Jim Turcotte, MC’s vice president for enrollment services and dean of students. “We are pleased to have a formal relationship to encourage more of their students to consider Mississippi College.”

Many Mississippi College graduates hold teaching positions at Jackson Prep, Turcotte noted. “Through the years we have enjoyed our strong partnership.”

The new agreement, he said, “further highlights both our commitment to each other and to advance education.”