MGCCC and USM sign memorandum of understanding for new Teacher’s College
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and The University of Southern Mississippi signed a memorandum of understanding for Teacher’s College, a new, innovative teacher-education pathway program. The partnership will allow MGCCC Collegiate Academy graduates to enter the USM Teacher’s College with the first two years of college completed.
Upon completion of USM’s Teacher’s College, graduates will satisfy all Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) requirements within two years, making them eligible for a five-year career-level license from the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE).
“MGCCC is proud to be part of this innovative program that supports the goals and dreams of future educators in the state of Mississippi, particularly high school students in our Collegiate Academy program,” said Dr. Mary S. Graham, MGCCC president. “ This program exemplifies the outstanding partnership we have with IHL and MDE and shows that working together we can reduce the teacher shortage and strengthen our educational programs at every level.”
Students can begin the program with MGCCC’s Collegiate Academy in fall 2019.
Attending the signing ceremony were Dr. Alfred Rankins Jr., Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Commissioner Of Higher Education; Dr. Carey M. Wright, State Superintendent of Education; Dr. Andrea Mayfield, executive director of the Mississippi Community College Board; Dr. Rodney D. Bennett, USM president; and Dr. Mary S. Graham, MGCCC president.