Dr. Roger Parrott: Three Decades of Building Belhaven

In this episode of The Empower Podcast, Grant sits down with Dr. Roger Parrott, who has spent three decades leading Grant’s alma mater, Belhaven University. A Mississippi institution since 1883, Belhaven is seeing record enrollment at a time when many universities are enrolling fewer students. Parrott shares what drew him to Jackson and how Belhaven has grown while staying true to its Christian mission.

They discuss when a college degree is worth taking on debt, what it means to learn in an age of artificial intelligence, and how a Christ-centered education can prepare students for meaningful work and a life of purpose.

Parrott also explains what a sailboat can teach leaders about recognizing opportunity, why Belhaven is committed to Jackson, and what he sees in his students that gives him hope for Mississippi’s future.