JACKSONVILLE, AL —As first reported by Dr. Benjamin Gross, Director of Jax MIX, in a world where instant gratification often takes priority, academic achievements can sometimes feel like distant milestones. However, Greenlee Orman, a dual enrollment student at Jacksonville State University (JSU), has found a way to stay motivated while working toward her degree. Orman recently became the first-ever recipient of the university’s Jax MIX Microcredential, earning recognition in Media Literacy during the Fall B semester of 2024.
The Jax MIX Microcredentials program allows students to gain meaningful credentials throughout their undergraduate experience, offering a sense of accomplishment along the way.
“As a student, you’re working towards a goal, and I feel like four years is a long time for anybody,” Orman said. “But, if through those years, you’re getting a credential here and a credential there, then you feel a sense of accomplishment. There’s this overwhelming sense to keep going.”
The Jax MIX Microcredentials program provides students with five areas of focus:
- Media Literacy
- Community Engagement
- Ethical Leadership
- Global Connections
- Environmental Stewardship
Students earn these microcredentials by completing coursework, attending three related events, submitting a work product, and composing a reflection that demonstrates their mastery of the subject.
For Orman, earning the Media Literacy Microcredential is more than an academic milestone—it provides immediate benefits. The credential appears on her transcript and resume, setting her apart in job applications. She also received a digital badge through Credentials, a platform that allows her to share her achievement on LinkedIn and other professional networks.
“Employers can see that I’m certified in media literacy,” Orman said. “By just looking at this, they can go, ‘Oh wow, OK, she knows what she’s doing in this area.’”
JSU’s Jax MIX is the first program in the nation to embed general education into microcredentials. Dr. Marija Reiff, Jax MIX’s Microcredential Coordinator, praised Orman’s commitment.
“Greenlee is a motivated student whose intellect and dedication made her well-positioned to become Jax MIX’s first recipient of a microcredential,” Reiff said. “Greenlee’s ability to fuse her coursework, event attendance, and work product—and to articulate how they connect—superbly demonstrates her mastery of media literacy.”
Beyond academic requirements, Orman said she enjoyed attending events, which helped her connect her major, career aspirations, and media literacy in meaningful ways.
“Not only are you learning from the presentation or event, but you’re also learning social skills, making new connections, and meeting new friends,” Orman said. “You get the human interaction that you need.”
Dr. Benjamin Gross, Director of Jax MIX, emphasized the broader impact of the program.
“Students often see general education as a checklist of random classes that prevent them from pursuing their career goals,” Gross said. “Greenlee’s accomplishment shows how general education at Jax State is part of the university’s cohesive mission to serve students from their first class to their first career.”
Research shows that students who actively engage with campus life tend to be happier, healthier, and more likely to graduate. The Jax MIX program ensures that students feel a sense of progress throughout their academic journey.
Orman hopes her accomplishment inspires other students to take advantage of the program.
“I think my achievement will encourage others to begin earning these rewards along their path toward a college degree,” she said.
With its innovative approach to general education and career readiness, JSU’s Jax MIX Microcredentials program is helping students turn long-term academic goals into tangible, resume-boosting achievements—one credential at a time.
