Seventeen Jefferson County seniors to receive Associate Degrees, largest in school history

FAYETTE, Miss. (VDN) — Seventeen high school seniors from Jefferson County High School are set to receive Associate of Arts degrees from Copiah-Lincoln Community College on May 15, marking the largest number of students in the school’s history to earn the distinction prior to high school graduation.

The milestone is part of a broader effort within the Jefferson County School District to expand access to college-level coursework. Nearly half of the Class of 2025 — 48.3% — have participated in dual credit programs through partnerships with Copiah-Lincoln Community College and Alcorn State University.

“Our scholars are rewriting the narrative,” Superintendent Adrian Hammitte said in a statement. “Earning an associate degree while still in high school places our scholars years ahead of their peers and relieves a tremendous financial burden from their families.”

The dual enrollment initiative is designed to give students early exposure to college academics while still fulfilling high school requirements. Many of the students earning degrees balanced college-level courses with extracurricular activities, jobs and family responsibilities.

Dr. Courtney Mitchell, the district’s dual enrollment coordinator, credited the students’ persistence and the support systems in place for helping them reach the milestone.

“Each diploma represents not only college credits earned but futures expanded,” Mitchell said. “This is only the beginning of what is possible when belief, support and opportunity come together.”

District officials say the partnerships with Copiah-Lincoln and Alcorn State have played a critical role in promoting college readiness and closing opportunity gaps in the rural district.

The commencement ceremony for the associate degree recipients will be held May 15.