Highlands College
Highlands College is 2-year training program for Christian ministers founded in 2011 by the Church of the Highlands. Senior pastor Chris Hodges serves as chancellor of the college, and Mark Pettus is president.
The institution currently offers an Associate of Arts in Ministry Leadership through a partnership with Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida. It also offers Certificates of Ministry and Ministry Leadership as part-time programs. The College is seeking accreditation through the Orlando, Florida-based Association for Biblical Higher Education. It expects to grow its enrollment to more than 1,000 by 2029.
Since 2021 the college programs have been located on a 70-acre campus at the Cahaba Center at Grandview, including the former HealthSouth headquarters / Grandview Plaza building. Administrative offices are shared with the church at 1701 Lee Branch Lane in Greystone. Full-time students are housed at nearby apartment complexes under a corporate lease agreement and also required to participate in an "HC Fit" plan that includes membership at Life Time Fitness and an on-campus lunch plan provided by MealFit. Evening classes are taught at several Church of the Highlands locations.
A $20 million gift from Home Depot founder David Green was used to construct a 5-story 68,000 square-foot dormitory building at the Grandview campus.
References
- Van der Bijl, Hanno (January 10, 2020) "Church of the Highlands buys U.S. 280 properties for college campus in $34.9M deals." Birmingham Business Journal
- Rebman, Stephanie (July 21, 2021) "Hobby Lobby founder donates $20M to Church of the Highlands' Highlands College." Birmingham Business Journal
- Thrailkill, Laurel (January 10, 2023) "Highlands College opens residence hall funded by gift from Hobby Lobby CEO." Birmingham Business Journal
External links
- Highlands College website