OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi has agreed to
partner with Holmes Community College to bring higher
education to more Mississippians through a new UM regional
site in Grenada.
The program, coordinated by the UM Division of Outreach and
Continuing Education, is set to begin in January, when
students enroll for the spring 2008 semester, at the
Holmes-Grenada Center campus. Initial offerings include
graduate-level courses, with plans to add junior- and
senior-level courses later.
The target audience is professional educators in Grenada
and surrounding counties who wish to complete master’s
degrees in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in
elementary education.
“We are committed to meeting the higher education needs of
our state – not only on the Ole Miss campus but by reaching
out to local communities,” UM Chancellor Robert Khayat
said. “We are grateful to President Glenn Boyce and his
staff for the collaborative initiative.”
The new program is similar to offerings at the university’s
other regional campuses, said Tim Angle, UM assistant
provost and director of the Division of Outreach.
“The regional campus locations in Booneville, Southaven and
Tupelo have given people in those areas a chance to
complete their college degrees in a way that is flexible
for working adults,” Angle said. “We anticipate that the
UM-Grenada site will do the same for people in the north
central part of the state.”
Students enrolled in the program are to attend two
graduate-level classes per week in the evenings at the
Holmes-Grenada Center. By following a specific course
rotation that includes summer sessions, participants can
complete their degrees in December 2008.
The Division of Outreach is working with the UM School of
Education to offer courses that will allow educators to
become school administrators through the master’s of
educational leadership program. Plans are being made to
admit a cohort group into this program in summer 2008.
Junior-level course work for Holmes-Grenada students who
want to complete a bachelor’s degree in education may begin
as soon as the 2008 fall semester.
“I am pleased that our initial focus is on the field of
education and the important role this collaboration will
play in putting more teachers in our classrooms,” Holmes
Community College President Glenn Boyce said. “This
partnership is a tremendous example of how collaborative
efforts between the community college system and the
institutions of higher learning can bring greater access
and opportunity to Mississippi’s residents.
“We are very excited about what this will mean for students
in the northern part of our district, and we hope to have a
significant impact on nontraditional students who are
looking for opportunity and access to either finish a
four-year degree or change careers.”
Classes at the UM-Grenada site are to be taught by School
of Education faculty, using a combination of live lectures,
distance education via satellite and online courses.
“The bachelor’s degree program is a perfect fit for those
Holmes Community College graduates who want to complete
their junior- and senior-level courses, but may not be able
to drive the long distance or relocate to Oxford,” Angle
said. “We tailor these courses for nontraditional college
students so that they can work, care for their families and
remain active in their communities while working toward
completing their college degrees.”
For more information about UM courses at the Holmes-Grenada
Center, contact Pam Starling in the UM Division of Outreach
at 888-386-7621 or pam@olemiss.edu.