MC Leaders Predict Fall Enrollment Boost

Mississippi College’s Christian environment, caring faculty and welcoming student body were some of the key factors that led freshman Beth Ann McCormick to stay close to home in Clinton and attend MC.

At first the Clinton High graduate wanted to get away from her hometown to attend college, but a visit to the MC campus changed all that. “I discovered that MC has all the areas of study that I am interested in pursuing and the school’s level of excellence attracted me as well,” said the 18-year-old McCormick. “MC is where Jesus has led me for the next four years.”

Clinton High graduate Cameron Coleman, 18, will also be an MC freshman this fall and keep the family tradition alive. His great grandparents, grandparents, parents and brother were all Mississippi College students. “I looked at all the schools, but felt a strong family environment at MC,” says the former Clinton Arrows soccer player who will join the MC Choctaws team this fall. “You get to know your teachers.”

Whether they live just a few miles from campus or half-way around the globe, MC students are enrolling at the Christian university in increasing numbers. Last year’s record enrollment of 4,887 students will be broken again this fall, school leaders predict.

MC expects to enroll 550 freshmen this fall or close to an all-time record, summer orientation sessions were well attended, residence halls will be packed again, says Jim Turcotte, vice president for enrollment management and student affairs. “Our overall enrollment should be close to 5,000. Mississippi College continues to attract many students for the depth of academic programs and its Christian environment.”

Final enrollment numbers won’t be available until late August, with day classes to begin August 25. MC leaders see other positive enrollment signs including the opening of its new Flowood Center that will offer a number of Accelerated Degree Programs geared to working adults.  The grand opening at the center in Rankin County is August 16. International enrollment is also strong again with more than 300 students coming from 30 nations, including more than 200 students from China.

Cameron Treadwell, 18, a Northwest Rankin graduate, saw no reason to go far away to college. “My Dad went to Ole Miss, but there’s MC right up the road. I’m a Christian and spent a lot of time in prayer with God,” he said. Making plans to be a chemistry major and go to medical school, Treadwell says he also likes the Baptist-affiliated university’s smaller classes. “I felt at home. You are not just a number in the classroom. You get to know your professors.”

With MC leaders anticipating more enrollment growth, the university is also adding to its faculty and staff this fall. School officials have hired more than 20 new faculty and staff members this fall at Mississippi College at a time when many colleges and universities are trimming their number of employees. MC has about 500 faculty and staff members.

The school offers the right academic programs and much more, including opportunities for her to become a cheerleader, join student government and get involved in one of its social clubs on the Clinton campus, says Kristina Manning, 18, a Leland resident and recent graduate of the Washington School in Greenville. “MC was the right size. I felt like I was home,” says the new MC freshman who’s making plans to attend medical school. “Mississippi College offers a Christian environment not found on a lot of college campuses.”