A full staff of professionals with offices in Cook are prepared to meet your educational needs. In addition, the SEC offers mental health counseling through the Counseling Center located in the Parker Building (Building #28, Room 118) and counseling annexes in the Cadle Building (Building #3). The SEC offers the following services and resources.
Academic Advisement & Career Counseling
Upon admission to Brewton-Parker, first-year students are enrolled in freshman learning communities of approximately 25 students each categorized by a common meta-major (a cluster of similar or related majors and programs).
Two academic advising and career specialists, together with a student success coach, staff a central advising office within the SEC to provide all freshman and sophomore students with close monitoring of progress, academic coaching and follow-up as needed, and timely intervention when necessary to help students address challenges and remain on track to degree completion.
Our career specialists also serve as counselors to help identify and connect students’ professional goals with appropriate pathways and majors, as well as to offer career workshops, facilitate career inventories, and assist students with searches for part-time jobs and internships.
Tutoring and Study Groups
With a professional tutor on staff and a corps of 10-15 peer tutors the SEC provides no-cost tutoring for all Brewton-Parker students, available either in-person or virtually on the Mount Vernon campus, and either one-on-one or in small-group study sessions. The SEC offers tutoring in mathematics, the natural and behavioral sciences, the humanities, Christian studies, business, student success, and more. The college also has a partnership with Pear Deck Tutoring, which provides live face-to-face tutoring 24/7 on a virtual platform so that students can receive the assistance needed after office hours or when available. The tutoring service also includes review of college papers or other assignments presented reasonably in advance of submission for evaluation by the instructor.
Writing Studio and Lab
First-year students needing additional help in completing the initial course in the required freshman writing sequence – Writing and Rhetoric (ENG 101) – may be referred to the SEC for writing tutoring.
In addition, after completing the freshman writing sequence in the core curriculum, all students are required for graduation to complete two "Writing Intensive" (WI) courses and a discipline-specific capstone course in their major field of study. WI courses require a minimum of 3,000 words of original composition valued at 20% or more of the final course grade, together with a required one-on-one tutoring session and a writing workshop.
Through its Writing Studio and professional staff the SEC provides both the venue and the academic coaching necessary to complete these requirements.
Mental Health Counseling
Brewton-Parker's commitment to whole-student development as part of its institutional mission encompasses mental health as a key component of the college experience for all students. To satisfy that commitment the SEC includes a dedicated Counseling Center located in Room 118 of the Parker Building (next door to Cook), as well as a counseling annex in the Cadle Building. Students may schedule appointments confidentially by clicking the button below.
Proctored & Accommodated Testing
For students qualified as "individuals with a disability” under a Section 504 Plan, the SEC provides proctored, extended-time, or other forms of accommodated testing in an isolated or small-group setting as suggested by the specified disabilities. Students or their course instructors may schedule such testing by clicking the button below.
Academic Integrity Training
Students adjudged to have violated the college's Academic Integrity policy may be required to complete one or more academic integrity training modules as part of their sanctions. The SEC staff administers and monitors these modules through the Brightspace learning management system (LMS) and certifies to the Provost when students have successfully completed all requirements of the assigned module(s). Both students and system administrators may schedule such training by clicking the button below.
Brewton-Parker College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, and master's degrees. Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Brewton-Parker College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website.
Joanna Phillips-Mock is a proud third generation Baron, both as a student and a staff member.
Beginning her teaching career in Middle Georgia in 1995, Mrs. Mock worked with a state funded program that served some of the most disadvantaged special needs students within the local school districts. She ultimately moved into leadership positions within the organization, serving and training others in multiple initiatives. She enjoys working with students of all ages to recognize and to achieve their greatest potential.
Mrs. Mock holds a Bachelor’s degree from Brewton-Parker College, a Master's degree in Education with a concentration in Behavior Disorders, and an Education Specialist degree in Educational Administration from Georgia College and State University. She resides in Ailey, Georgia, with her husband Don, their son Tye Lewis, her mother Carol Joyce, and multiple fur babies. She enjoys traveling, gardening, camping, and attending concerts.
Candace Lilford graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Theatre Generalism in 2021 from Anderson University and with her master’s degree in English Literature in 2023 from the University of Alabama. She presently serves as Professional Tutor for the Student Enrichment Center while also teaching sections of ENG 101 and 102.
As part of her two-year master's program, Ms. Lilford taught sections of ENG 101 and 102, while also serving as teaching assistant for British Literature Survey courses and volunteering in the university’s Writing Center. Ms Lilford has also presented papers at the Hudson Strode Conference and the South Eastern Christian and Literature Conference as well as working on various theatrical productions.
Born in North Carolina of South African descent, Ms. Lilford has lived in Uganda, Botswana, South Africa, and Trinidad before settling in Mount Vernon with her family in 2016, where she attended Brewton-Parker College as a dual enrollment student. She presently resides in Mount Vernon with her family and spends her free time watching old TV shows.
Linda Armstrong earned an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice Technology from Southeastern Technical College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Walden University. Throughout her career, Linda has worked with diverse populations, including at-risk youth and families and youth in crisis because of mental health and other issues. Her empathetic nature has made her an effective advocate for those in need. In addition to her professional work, Linda is also is committed to volunteerism. She has dedicated countless hours as a youth mentor, and to teaching about her faith at various Christian organizations. She believes in the power of positivity and its ability to transform not only her life but also the lives of others.
"If you must look back, do so forgivingly. If you will look forward, do so prayerfully. But the wisest course would be to be present in the present gratefully." ~ Maya Angelou
Greetings, Baron Nation!
It's truly a joy to be back in a place that has shaped me so profoundly. I'm Willie Ford, a proud 2022 graduate of historic Brewton-Parker College, holding a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a Minor in Education. Following my graduation, I embarked on a journey in education, teaching Special Education within the Vidalia City School District. In addition to my role as an educator, I had the privilege of serving as the Unit Director at the J.D. Rabun Boys and Girls Club. All the while, I was honored to pastor at the esteemed New Hope Baptist Church of Rhine, Georgia. With God's grace, I managed these responsibilities, and now, I'm thrilled and ready to contribute to the welfare of our students, aiming to inspire through service.
Dusty Arnold is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst as well as a BPC alumnus. He has years of experience working with a variety of mental health issues including anxiety, grief, and challenges related to Autism. He specializes in behavior-related interventions that can help college students build on their strengths to set achievable goals while also learning how to deal with the thoughts and feelings that sometimes get in the way. He incorporates Biblical values and evidence-based treatments to meet students wherever they happen to be on their journey to spiritual and psychological health.
Carl Anthony “Tony” Wardlaw – For over 25 years, Dr. Wardlaw has worked in leadership, counseling, and pastoring. Beginning with working in middle management for a manufacturing company in Douglas, GA, Dr. Wardlaw has also worked in the academic, nonprofit, public, and private sectors. Additionally, he served over 7 years in the United States Military as a Military Intelligence Officer before resigning his commission as a Captain in the Army.
Currently serving as the Assistant Director of the Student Enrichment Center, Student Success Coach, and Adjunct Faculty at Brewton-Parker College in Mount Vernon, GA, he also serves as the Pastor of The Green Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Dublin, GA.
As a member of the renowned International Gospel Singing Group, The Wardlaw Brothers, Dr. Wardlaw has traveled all over the nation and abroad ministering and singing the Gospel of Christ Jesus. Dr. Wardlaw has served as a consultant for various agencies and has worked as a Fatherhood Coordinator and G.E.D. instructor within the Technical College System of Georgia and participates in local and national civic and philanthropic work.
Dr. Wardlaw holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in International Business from the University of Georgia, two master's degrees from Troy University (Master of Science in Clinical Counseling and Psychology and Master of Education in Counseling), and a Doctorate in Education from Argosy University in Organizational Leadership. Dr. Wardlaw is a Lifetime Silver Member of The NAACP and a member of The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He is happily married to the former Mrs. Stephanie Scott. They have 3 Children; Chambria, Marc, and Carleigh.