Jackson ASPIRE Staff

ASPIRE Offices are located in Raymond Hall.
Student Services Office Hours
Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Admission Office Hours
Monday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Friday, 8:00 - 5:00 p.m.
ASPIRE Accounting Office Hours
Monday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Dr. Chip Mason Dean of the School of Business 601-968-8945 cmason@belhaven.edu	Dr. Chip Mason has served at Belhaven College for the past ten years as the adult program has grown from 200 students in Jackson, MS to 1500 students in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Florida. Dr. Mason has over 25 years of leadership experience in the U.S. military and higher education, and has degrees from Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has been actively involved in starting up new undergraduate and graduate Business programs in Memphis, TN, and Orlando, Florida, and now serves as the Dean, School of Business and oversees the Business faculty at all campuses. He has also taught various courses in Management, Leadership, and Research on both the graduate and undergraduate level. He and his wife, Joanna, have two daughters, and currently reside in Ridgeland, Mississippi. His outside interests include travel, reading, birding, cycling and spending time with church and family activities.
Dr. Kay Owen Academic Dean 601-709-0966 kowen@belhaven.edu	As one who has worked for the past twenty-four years with both traditional and non-traditional students on a community college level, I am excited to be at Belhaven and working with the faculty, staff, and students in the ASPIRE program. When I began college at the age of thirty, I was one of the few adult students on campus. Therefore, I believe that the students who are enrolled in the ASPIRE program are very fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in an educational program where they share so many things in common. They are also to be commended because it is very difficult to balance the demands of studying, working, and caring for one's family while trying to get an education. I feel very blessed to be a part of the adult studies program at Belhaven. I believe it is my mission to use my education and past experience as academic dean, associate dean of adult and continuing education, and experience as an adult student to help men and women prepare themselves for productive careers where they can serve Jesus Christ in all aspects of their daily lives. I'm here to serve you and to be the hands and feet of Jesus at Belhaven. Please contact me if I can be of help.
Tanya Brieger Director of Enrollment Services 601-968-8727 tbrieger@belhaven.edu	As Dr. Parrott often says, "God's timing is never wrong". When I was working on my bachelor of science degree at Belhaven and MBA at Millsaps, I was a working adult. So, I know very well how challenging and how rewarding that can be. As a result, I began adjunct teaching at Belhaven while also continuing my career in telecommunications. As part of God's plan for me, he led me to my present position at Belhaven. All of my roads seemed to lead back to Belhaven. I feel honored to be able to assist other working adults as they work toward changing their lives and happy to be back "home". Please let me know if I can assist you.
Tawesia Colyer Student Financial Planning Counselor-Aspire Program 601-968-8846 tcolyer@belhaven.edu
Modice Dennis Enrollment Counselor 601-968-8882 modicedennis@belhaven.edu	I came to Belhaven College in July 1994. Previously, I had worked with another program similar to Belhaven College’s Aspire Program in South Carolina. Since 1994, I have recruited over 1000 students for Belhaven College’s Adult Accelerated Degree Program. Returning to college as an adult can be challenging. I know this firsthand because I have also been an adult student in traditional and nontraditional programs. While at Belhaven College, I completed a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree and a Master of Science in Management Degree. Belhaven College’s Aspire Program has been a blessing to me and in my position. I hope I can be a blessing to the students I recruit. Obtaining my bachelors and masters degree in Belhaven College’s Aspire Program has been a life changing experience for me. I would like to share that experience with you.
Jean Anne Fairly Assistant Registrar 601-968-8811 jfairly@belhaven.edu	As a Belhaven graduate, I was very pleased to be able to return to campus as a staff member in 1998 after retiring from BellSouth Telecommunications. I had the privilege of serving for five years as Administrative Assistant to the Vice President for Student Learning. Since January 2003, I have had the opportunity to serve as Assistant to the Registrar for Graduate and Adult Studies. It is proving to be both a joy and a challenge to provide registrar support in serving the records of students in our Graduate and Adult Studies programs. Please contact me anytime I may be of assistance.
Christine Gilbert AA to the MS State Dean 601-709-0965 cgilbert@belhaven.edu
Rodney Grayson Accountant 601-968-8758 rgrayson@belhaven.edu	Mr. Rodney D. Grayson is a Mississippi native from New Albany, MS. Previously employed as General (Unit) Manager for Waffle House, Inc. He earned his degrees from Northeast Mississippi Community College and Mississippi State University. Mr. Grayson eagerly looks forward to assisting all of the adult student body at Belhaven College as they pursue their educational and spiritual aspirations.
Sandra Kelly Admin Assistant – Adult Studies 601-968-8880 skelly@belhaven.edu
Matthew Jenkins Accountant 601-968-8948 mjenkins@belhaven.edu	Matthew Jenkins comes to Belhaven from Delaware. He moved to Mississippi the day before Katrina hit. Matthew is a graduate of the University of Delaware with a major in foreign languages, German, French and Italian. Matthew assists in leading an English as a Second Language program at Pear Orchard Presbyterian Church and is member of Madison Heights Church, a PCA church plant in the Gluckstadt area.
Vicki Jones Accounting Manager 601-968-8884 vjones@belhaven.edu	As the dynamics of the business world rapidly change, the necessity of having an advanced degree, in order to remain competitive, is becoming more and more prevalent. After getting married and starting a family right out of college, I felt it was impossible for me to regain my competitive edge by obtaining a Masters Degree. Belhaven College made what seemed impossible, possible. I enrolled in the MBA program at Belhaven in 1997. Attending classes one night a week allowed me to maintain a full time job and meet the needs of my family. When given the opportunity to serve as the Accounting Manager of Belhaven’s Adult Degree Program, I was thrilled. Not only am I working in a Christian environment, but I also have the opportunity to give back, to an organization that has given so much to me; and an opportunity to assist other adults in achieving their educational goals.
Tamara Mack Enrollment Counselor 601-968-8844 tmack@belhaven.edu	I am from Chicago, but love Mississippi and have lived between Chicago and Jackson since graduating from high school. I moved here to raise my children and look forward to my children enjoying being here the way I did. I graduated from Chicago State University in 2001 with a degree in Psychology and decided to take a break for a semester before going back to pursue my Masters Degree. Well a semester turned into years and after having children, being married, and working fulltime it became even harder to go back until I enrolled in an adult learner online program. As an adult student with children to provide for I know firsthand what it is like to try and advance your career with an education while trying to provide for your family. I have worked in education for over five years and I have worked with adult students for over a year. Helping people to achieve their goals is my passion and I look forward to assisting students on their journey to reaching their full potential through education.
Prentiss McLin Enrollment Counselor 601-968-8852 pmclin@belhaven.edu	Prentiss has many years of experience in the arena of higher learning. He brings a wide array of talents and experiences to his position as Counselor for the Aspire Program. Prentiss is a 1995 graduate of Morehouse College (Atlanta GA). He is also a graduate of Jackson State where he earned a Masters degree in 1997. Prentiss has had experience as a Program Development Director. He also served as a Technology Specialist in Teacher Training and the Director of the National Teacher Training Institute for Math and Science. He is a Christian man who loves the idea of changing the lives of students that choose Belhaven College. Prentiss is helping"...the power of knowledge meet the power of faith" here at our Jackson campus. He looks forward to helping students achieve their goal(s)of degree completion.
Lyn Payne Accounting 601-968-8968 lpayne@belhaven.edu	I earned my undergraduate and graduate degrees through traditional routes. However, while earning these degrees, I also worked full time and got married. This experience gives me a unique perspective of the challenges faced by our Aspire students every day. As an accountant in the Aspire program, I am here to assist you in whatever way I can. I feel blessed to have found this position with Belhaven College. May God bless you in all you do."
Vicki Pitts Enrollment Counselor 601-968-8741 vpitts@belhaven.edu	The best part of my job is watching my students as I explain the structure of the Aspire program come to the realization that they can be successful and obtain their educational goals at Belhaven. Everyday we are giving adults the opportunity to change their lives. There are many factors that contribute to the driving force behind the success of this program but I believe that the Christian fellowship and viewpoint brought into the classroom is the key factor. With a B.S. in Marketing /Advertising and over 23 years in sales and marketing I enjoy using my skills to share this program with as many adults as possible. I look forward to meeting with you and helping you overcome any fears you might have and taking you through the admission process every step of the way.
Tanya Reed Director of Student Services 601-968-8880 treed@belhaven.edu	I came to Belhaven in 2003 as an ASPIRE Student. While obtaining my degree the door opened for me as the Coordinator of Student Services. As far back as I can recall, my prayer has been the same. “Use me God. Show me how to take who I am, who I want to be, and what I can do, and use it for a purpose greater than myself.” My vision for Student Services is to help students realize that everything we do affects not only our lives, but touches their lives as well. Success comes when you surrender to God’s teaching and let His grace lead to the next best place. When I shifted my vision from success to service, my work in Student Services instantly had more meaning. Remember, every time you have a kind and gentle word to give, you can help someone find beauty in this precious life we live.
Walter Saddler Director of Corporate Relations 601-968-8883 wsaddler@belhaven.edu	Previously in the television industry; has 30 years of news anchor experience and more than 20 years news management experience. He holds a B.S. degree from St. John's University in New York.
Viola Watson vwatson@belhaven.edu 601-968-8881 Marketing Support Coordinator