Southern Preparatory academy

Department: Fine Arts Faculty

Jay Strong

Fine Arts Department Head

Jammy Strong serves Southern Preparatory Academy as the Fine Arts Department Head. Before joining Southern Prep, he spent three years as the Veterans Service Coordinator and Academic Plans Advisor at Grays Harbor Community College. During his 22-year Army career, Mr. Strong played trombone in the Army Band from 1994 to 2006 and transitioned to serving as a Career Counselor from 2007 until his retirement in 2016. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Adult Workforce Education from Southern Illinois University and a Master’s in Human Resources with a Certificate in Leadership from Brandman University.

Becca Nelson

Director of Institutional Advancement

Becca Nelson serves as the Director of Institutional Advancement at Southern Preparatory Academy, where she has been leading marketing efforts since 2019 and advancement efforts in 2025. She also serves as the yearbook advisor and teaches a marketing course. A 2018 graduate of Auburn University with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Becca discovered her passion for the education sector while working with the Office of Academic Support, providing group and individual tutoring through programs like Supplemental Instruction, Study Partners, and Tiger Tutor. She is committed to advancing the school’s mission through her love for writing and content creation. In her spare time, Becca enjoys spending time with her toddler.