The Gazebo Gazette

LONG BEACH (GG) — The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) held a joint press conference Thursday, May 29 at the University’s Gulf Park campus in Long Beach, Miss., to unveil the new Coastal Pathways Scholarship, a collaborative effort designed to create a clear and affordable route for MGCCC graduates to complete their bachelor’s degrees at Southern Miss.

This new scholarship opportunity offers $5,000 annually to qualified transfer students from MGCCC and is renewable with continued eligibility. The initiative reflects both institutions’ commitment to student success and workforce development across the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

“We are proud to launch the Coastal Pathways Scholarship in partnership with MGCCC,” said Southern Miss President Dr. Joe Paul. “This program creates a seamless and supportive path for community college students to complete their degrees at Southern Miss. By reducing financial barriers and providing a direct connection between our institutions, we are investing in the future of our students and our coastal communities.”

To qualify for the Coastal Pathways Scholarship, students must:

  • Have most recently attended MGCCC with enrollment since 2023
  • Earn an associate degree from MGCCC or have completed at least 60 credit hours with a minimum transfer cumulative GPA of 2.5
  • Declare one of the following majors at Southern Miss Gulf Park:
    • Biological Sciences
    • Business Administration (General Business)
    • Elementary Education
    • Marine Biology
    • Marine Science (Hydrography)
    • Ocean Engineering
    • Organizational Leadership
    • Psychology
    • Secondary Education

Students must also enroll in at least 15 credit hours per semester, including a minimum of nine credit hours of face-to-face instruction on the Gulf Park campus, and maintain a 2.5 GPA to remain eligible.

“At Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, we are committed to creating opportunities that empower our students to succeed beyond graduation,” said Dr. Mary S. Graham, MGCCC president. “With 66 percent of our students transferring to four-year universities, programs like the Coastal Pathways Scholarship are essential in supporting their continued academic journey. We deeply value our university partners like Southern Miss, whose collaboration helps ensure that our students have affordable, seamless access to quality education and a clear path to achieving their goals.”

For more information on eligibility and the application process, prospective students are encouraged to visit the Gulf Park Coastal Pathways Scholarship website.

(Contributed to by Jennifer Rigney)