Message from the Dean

Welcome to the College of Professional Advancement!

The College of Professional Advancement is a genuinely different approach to delivering academic degree and certificate programs to adult learners. That is why, for our community, “Live beyond yourself…Lead” is more than just a tagline. It’s at the heart of our dynamic culture. It is how we approach our mission of educating individuals and providing lifelong learning opportunities for adults who seek leadership roles in their communities and beyond. We professionally transition and advance each student’s life to have greater meaning and purpose while preparing him or her for the current workforce.

At the College of Professional Advancement, we see this happening every day:

  • Through our students who extraordinarily maintain the delicate balance of their studies, work and personal obligations, and who embrace our core-value of service learning and leadership to make a difference beyond the classroom and in their communities.
  • Through our accomplished, challenging, and encouraging faculty members who teach and advise our students and are fiercely committed to student success and to creating a learner-centered, interactive educational experience that incorporates our students’ backgrounds, knowledge, and abilities.
  • Through our alumni who are leading organizations and addressing major challenges in the areas of healthcare, technology, public safety and non-profit industry. You will find our alumni at top organizations such as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Piedmont Healthcare, WellStar Health System, Georgia Department of Corrections, Atlanta Public Schools and Coca-Cola.

I encourage you to explore our program offerings and visit one of our campuses or centers. Connect with our faculty and students and learn more about their amazing outcomes and contributions. With a long-standing legacy of over two decades educating adult learners for a world that changes in significant ways every day, the College of Professional Advancement is uniquely poised to make a difference in your life and prepare you to lead beyond where you ever thought possible. Experience the Mercer difference for yourself.

Dean Priscilla R. Danheiser