Mark Jimerson
For Mark Jimerson, “It’s all about the students.”
As the current assistant director of online enrollment at Mississippi State Online, Jimerson's 91ý career began in 2016 as a coordinator within the Center for Distance Education.
"When I came to Mississippi State, I wanted to do something new, and online education had been something I was always interested in," he said.
The coordinator position gave Jimerson the chance to work with students as their first contact before enrolling in a program, support them throughout their journey, and then meet them face-to-face at graduation receptions.
"The role turned out to be a lot more than I ever imagined. I was really in the weeds with students, understanding their 'why' and their motivations for using online education," Jimerson explained. "It gave me the opportunity to put individuals to the research I was seeing. To also hear those stories and make those connections and say that’s not just a statistic, but actual stories, and we’re part of helping someone turn their motivations into reality."
In his current administrative role, Jimerson takes a boots-on-the-ground approach and continues to work alongside coordinators to assist online students. For him, this is the best way to understand the needs and preferences so he can advocate for greater access opportunities.
"Online education is a form of access, no matter how we look at it," he said.
To expand access to Mississippi State’s online programs, Jimerson has reimagined and realigned team roles to better serve online students holistically. Rather than leading a team where each person supports an individual college, he has restructured to create a streamlined process for online students. Coordinators now work as enrollment assistants, support coaches, or advisors—all to ensure students receive the support they need as they progress.
"We are not only developing students academically, but professionally as well," he said. “The value of online education is having options for individuals that fit their needs," Jimerson said. "On the student side, they need a place that has what they want, in the timeframe they want, and at an affordable cost. The value for the institution is creating these opportunities for students that make them tell others that online education is a real possibility."