Master’s program prepares students for higher education careers

Posted on Thursday, March 28, 2024

In an effort to reach graduate students aiming to work on a smaller, faith-based campus, the college recently added a post-secondary degree in higher education.

Outside of large, public universities, options are limited for higher education master’s programs at private colleges in Georgia.

“We felt there was a need for this degree to be implemented here at LC,” said Dr. John Head, Vice President for Enrollment and Student Experience. “Besides Mercer University, we are the only other private institution where students can earn a graduate degree in higher education.”

The one-year degree will combine a strong academic foundation with real-world experience.

“This will give our cohort exposure to the business side of a college campus,” he said. “They’re not only going to learn about student development theory, but also fiscal and legal issues in higher education. And as a Methodist institution, we also will focus on faith development.”

Graduate assistantships will benefit students pursuing this degree.

“They will receive compensation either through housing or a stipend,” he said. “Every student in the program will be placed in a department tailored to their interests, so they’re earning funds for the work they do, while also gaining career-focused skills.”

Cohorts who go through this program will be ready for a variety of roles in such areas as Housing, Student Life, Admissions, Career Services and Athletics.

Dr. Gretta Milam, Education Chair and Director of Graduate Studies, will oversee the program. Current faculty and administrators will teach courses, with the aim of adding more full-time faculty in the future.

Current undergraduates will have the opportunity to learn more about this master’s degree during an information session on Wednesday, April 3, at 4 p.m., in Corn Auditorium.

Applications are open for the program, which is scheduled to begin in the summer or fall of 2024. These can be found on the program website.

 

Campus Notes

• Nominations are being taken for alumni awards to be presented during Homecoming 2024, Oct. 25-27. Deadline for submissions is April 1. The Shackelford Alumni Achievement Award is given to alumni who have distinguished themselves professionally and brought honor to the college. The award is named for Walter Malcolm Shackelford, a former professor of education (1958-1972) and academic dean of the college (1972-1982). The Outstanding Young Alumni Award goes to someone who graduated from LaGrange College within the past 10 years and who has been distinguished in his or her career and community and has brought honor to the college. For more information or to make a recommendation, contact Martha Pirkle, Director of Alumni and Community Relations, at mpirkle@lagrange.edu or by calling 706-880-8245.
• LC Athletics will host the Pouncie Awards, a formal celebration of student-athletes throughout the 2023-2024 season, on Wednesday, April 3, at 6 p.m., in Callaway Auditorium. This year’s theme will be “Kicks and Glam.” Attendees are encouraged to wear their favorite shoes and outfits.
• Prospective students and their families will visit campus for Spring Preview Day on Saturday, April 13. This is the final one for the academic year. For more information, visit the Preview Day website.
• The deadline to submit nominations for the Pillar and Waights G. Henry awards is Tuesday, April 2, at 5 p.m. Forms can be dropped off in-person to Smith Hall, Office 210, or submitted via e-mail to Dr. John Head, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Experience, at jhead5@lagrange.edu.

 

Collegiate Enrichment

LIVE @ LC: Beyond Servant Leadership

Tuesday, April 2

11 a.m., Bailey Room

• Associate Sports Management Professor Dr. Clay Bolton will lead a session that engages participants in exercises and discussions about why bucking the trend to take care of yourself first is important. A more profound understanding of how service to others can lead to joy will be revealed in this deep dive beyond servant leadership.

Create an Impact: LC M.Ed. in Higher Education

Wednesday, April 3

4 p.m., Corn Auditorium

• Students interested in a career in academic support, coaching, student life or housing are encouraged to attend an informational session about the college’s new master’s degree in Higher Education.

LIVE @ LC: Making My Dollars Matter

Thursday, April 4

11 a.m., Bailey Room

• Andy Geeter, Director of Development, will share steps students can use to help create and sustain a workable plan to enable them to support causes that are important to them throughout their lifetime. 

 

Video of the Week

"God of Grace and God of Glory"

"God of Grace and God of Glory" presented by Simmerly Hernandez '21, Carter White '21, Olivia White '22 and Kelton Hunt '19. Produced by Jason Hernandez ’19.

 

April Faculty and Staff Birthdays

3-Justin Muller, Clinical Mental Health Counseling

3-Jessica Finley, Business Office

9-Drew Cantrell, Athletics (Men’s and Women’s Tennis)

10-Richard Soash, History

14-Lisa Cornell, President’s Office

17-Nicole Maddox, Admissions

19-Samantha Sick, Accountancy

20-David Wiggins, Lewis Library

21-Sandy Blair, Nursing

22-Lacey Moore, Sociology

24-Ryan Dickson, Athletics (Men’s Soccer)

 

Sports

Baseball

The Panthers finished the past weekend up 3-0 in the CCS after sweeping Berea College March 23-24. On Wednesday, the Panthers rematched Birmingham-Southern and lost 5-8. The team will start a three-game series at Covenant on Friday, March 29, (today) at 3 p.m. They will close it out with a doubleheader on Saturday, March 30, at noon and 3:30 p.m. LC will face another road game at Oglethorpe on Tuesday, April 2, at 6 p.m.

Freshman Fletcher Hislop and sophomore Jackson McElvy were named Rookie of the Week and Player of the Week, respectively. In the last five games played, Hislop finished with three runs, seven hits and seven RBIs. McElvy tallied eight runs, seven hits with two doubles and five stolen bases this past week.

Softball

LC split its away doubleheader against Mississippi University for Women on Sunday, March 24. The Panthers held on to win 9-3 in the first game but fell to MUW 8-3 in the second game.

Thursday, March 28: LaGrange at Belhaven, 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. (late), visit lagrangepanthers.com for score and recap.

Golf

The Panthers competed in the Jekyll Island Collegiate Invitational March 22-24. LC placed 23rd out of 30 teams with freshman Ian Bramlett leading the way. In three rounds, Bramlett finished with 225 strokes, placing him 60th out of 148 players. The team will compete in the Wynlakes Invitational April 1-April 2.

Freshman Ian Bramlett was named Rookie of the Week. He led the Panthers with the best finish, tied for 60th place at the Jekyll Island Collegiate Invitational. Bramlett produced a total of 225 with rounds of 79, 74, and 72.

Lacrosse

LC lost to Methodist University 16-10 on Friday, March 22. The team faced off against Huntingdon on Wednesday and won 22-9.

Women’s Tennis

The Panthers are coming off away losses to Covenant College, Asbury University and Johnson University March 23-24. The team is taking on Piedmont University on Monday, April 1, at 4 p.m. The Panthers will host Tuskegee University on Tuesday, April 2, and Shorter University on Thursday, April 4, both at 2 p.m.

Men’s Tennis

LC fell to Covenant College, Asbury University and Johnson University last weekend. The team will face Piedmont University on Monday, April 1, at 4 p.m. The Panthers will host Tuskegee University next Tuesday, April 2, and Shorter University on Thursday, April 4, both at 2 p.m.

Beach Volleyball

The Panthers did not play this past week. The team will host Huntingdon on Thursday, April 4, in their final regular season game.

 

Panther Calendar

(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm.)

Friday, March 29 – Baseball at Covenant, 3 p.m., Lookout Mountain, Georgia

Saturday, March 30 – Baseball at Covenant, noon and 3:30 p.m., Lookout Mountain, Georgia

Monday, April 1 – Golf at Wynlakes Invitational, Montgomery, Alabama

Monday, April 1 – Men’s Tennis at Piedmont, 4 p.m., Demorest, Georgia

Monday, April 1 – Women’s Tennis at Piedmont, 4 p.m., Demorest, Georgia

Tuesday, April 2 – Golf at Wynlakes Invitational, Montgomery, Alabama

Tuesday, April 2 – Baseball at Oglethorpe, 6 p.m., Atlanta, Georgia

Thursday, April 4 – Men’s Tennis (Home) vs. Shorter, 2 p.m., Greer Tennis Courts

Thursday, April 4 – Women’s Tennis (Home) vs. Shorter, 2 p.m., Greer Tennis Courts

Thursday, April 4 –Beach Volleyball (Home) vs. Huntingdon, 1 p.m., Strack Beach Volleyball Courts

Category: College, Students, Academics

Keywords: Education, Campus