October 7, 2011 (Jackson) - A ribbon cutting ceremony marked the official opening of the new Belhaven ASPIRE location. Jackson Mayor, Harvey Johnson, Ridgeland Mayor, Gene F. McGee and representatives from the Jackson, Rankin, and Ridgeland Chamber of Commerce joined Belhaven President, Dr. Roger Parrott to speak to the crowd and take part in the ceremony.
Dr. Roger Parrott, President of Belhaven University, said, “The growth of our ASPIRE program and graduate enrollment has brought us to a wonderful new facility. We took a bold step that enhanced adult students’ learning experience, and allowing students to learn in a first-class environment that reflects their career desires.”
The ASPIRE degree program relocated to the LeFleur Building, just north of the main Belhaven campus, on I-55 Frontage Road in August.
The ASPIRE program resides on the first two floors of the LeFleur building and houses staff, faculty, and students. A Belhaven University sign was constructed on top of the five-story building, marking the new home of Belhaven’s ASPIRE program.
“The grand opening of Belhaven’s new ASPIRE campus is a milestone in Belhaven’s history,” said Audrey Kelleher, Vice President of Adult and Graduate Marketing and Development. “Our ASPIRE program, serving adult and graduate students in Jackson for over 25 years, has outgrown our campus on Peachtree Street. Students now have a wonderful place to pursue their educational dreams with ample room for parking, state of the art classrooms, and three computer labs on location,” adds Kelleher.
The administrative offices are on the first floor, where students will have admission support in one centralized location. The second floor contains 17 “smart” classrooms that utilize current technologies to increase students’ learning experience.
Students no longer have to worry about the long hikes from car to class, because parking at the new location will be spacious and right next to the new building. Trusted Belhaven security officers and the well-lit parking lot help ensure the safety of each student.
Belhaven has been serving adult students for a quarter century and was the first university in the Metro Jackson Area with an accelerated degree program and graduate degrees for working adults.