Year Ahead at Mississippi College Brings New Construction and Academic Programs

Dr. Lee Royce

Mississippi College leaders will welcome new residential halls on the Clinton campus and additional innovative academic programs in 2015.

It’s an exciting year that shows the 5,000-student Baptist-affiliated university is responding to enrollment growth, and continuing to launch new programs to prepare MC graduates for the 21^st Century workforce, President Lee Royce says.

“We believe the construction of eight new residential structures on the East Campus will please our students and address our immediate housing needs,” Royce said. “It will be our first residential expansion in nearly 20 years, and these apartment-style living spaces with 188 beds will help Mississippi College attract prospective students for years to come.”

Equally appealing in 2015, Dr. Royce said, will be actions to expand the Mississippi College curriculum – with the Christian university to begin its bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.

MC will enroll the first electrical engineering students in Fall 2015. Within three years, those numbers should climb to 60 students. Mississippi College modeled its program after a number of noted examples including Mississippi State University.

Other curriculum changes are on the horizon.

Beginning in January, Mississippi College will offer a master’s degree online in health informatics catering to the needs of the expanding health care management industry.

Online courses will continue to reach out to students across state lines. Plans are under way to expand the online version of the doctorate of professional counseling program into neighboring Louisiana in January (it is already offered in Texas). MC may stretch its footprint into other states by the summer of 2015.

The first of its type in the USA, the Christian university’s doctorate in professional counseling enrolls 120 students.

Another important change in the new year is that MC will offer a worship leadership degree next fall, says Ron Howard, vice president for academic affairs.

The program will be housed in the Music Department, but include coursework from Christian Studies, communication and art. “The worship leadership degree is designed to meet the demands of contemporary worship experiences,” Howard said.

When the MC family returns after the Christmas break, they will see progress made on the residential units on the East Campus, the former Clinton Junior High site.

No doubt, many MC students will sign up to live in the new residences.

“The typical three story building will have six separate units or two units per floor,” says Steve Stanford, vice president for administration and government relations. “Each individual unit will have four private bedrooms, two full baths and an open living area with a kitchen.”

Enrolling more than 5,050 students in the fall, MC has seen a shortage of on-campus housing in recent years. When Dr. Royce arrived as the institution’s leader in 2002, there were 3,300 students enrolled.

Helping ease the housing squeeze, the new residential units on the East Campus will contain 11,000 square feet of space.

In 2015, the new Phillips House should see extensive use. The university’s president’s house was built thanks to a generous lead donation by MC trustee and Foundation Board President Don Phillips and his wife, Sue. MC board members and friends also supplied financial support.

On a hilltop overlooking the brick streets of Olde Towne Clinton, the new president’s home is expected to host many receptions for MC faculty, staff, students, alumni and other guests in the years ahead.

As the university continues its transition into NCAA Division II athletics in 2015 and plays in the Gulf South Conference, MC expects to upgrade its facilities. Says Stanford: “Depending on the success of fundraising efforts, plans for enhancements and additional facilities are expected to be unveiled in the coming year.”

It’s a year that will expand the theme of “MC Celebrates Clinton – Town and Gown Since 1826.” MC art students and faculty will complete work in 2015 on a new city mural, located on College Street on the side of the Cook Lawn and Pest Services building. MC’s year of celebrating its fine partnership with its hometown will wrap up with Clinton’s July 4^th festivities.