Mineral Area College takes over running Perryville center from Southeast

Southeast Missouri State University will shift management of the Perryville Higher Education Center to Mineral Area College beginning July 1.

With the start of the new fiscal year, Mineral Area will take over all academic programming in addition to operational management of the center, university officials said.

"When it's all said and done, it'll completely be a Mineral Area operation," Gerald McDougall, Southeast associate provost for Extended and Online Learning, said Tuesday. "We believe this change will allow the Perryville Higher Education Center to more effectively meet the postsecondary educational needs of the Perryville service area, including the possibility of providing expanded technical training to local and regional businesses,"

Mineral Area currently handles the staffing and operations at the Perryville Center, while Southeast and Mineral Area share curriculum offerings, according to a news release from Southeast.

Mineral Area will oversee the entire facility under the transfer, and all coursework will be provided by Mineral Area beginning in July.

McDougall said Mineral Area's tuition is lower than Southeast's, so students will see lower bills.

The transfer also will expand access to A+ funding for students attending the Perryville center, McDougall said.

"Again, that's another factor in terms of lowering their cost," he said.

Gil Kennon, vice president for College Affairs and dean of the Career and Technical Education Division at Mineral Area College, said in the news release Mineral Area is committed to bringing new programs to Perryville, where possible, and expanding offerings to meet the needs of current and future students at the Perryville center.

Southeast and Mineral Area College have a long history of collaboration, McDougall said.

"We've had a good relationship and we're going to continue having a great relationship in terms of those students who want to transfer to a four-year program," he said.

The Perryville Area Higher Education Center opened at St. Mary's of the Barrens seminary Aug. 19, 2002. The facility was renamed the Perryville Higher Education Center Oct. 26, 2006.

klamb@semissourian.com

388-3639

Pertinent address:

108 Progress Dr., Perryville, Mo.