The presidents of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and Mississippi State University signed two Memorandums of Understanding for new bachelor’s degree pathways between the two institutions on February 13at the Hospitality Resort Management Center in Biloxi.

“MGCCC is proud to offer our students the best opportunities for academic success,” said Dr. Mary S. Graham. “These MOUs will significantly expand those opportunities for our students, allowing them to transfer more credits and moving them closer to completing a bachelor’s degree at Mississippi State University.  MSU is an outstanding institution and we are proud to partner with them in these new programs.”

The technical education agreement outlines a pathway for MGCCC students to complete MSU’s new Bachelor of Applied Science program, leveraging the strengths of both institutions to provide more opportunities in technical education and meet current and future workforce demands. The culinology agreement establishes a pathway by which students in MGCCC’s Culinary Arts Technology program may complete a Bachelor of Science degree in culinology at MSU.

“It’s a great honor to sign these two agreements with one of our tremendous community college partners, MGCCC,” MSU President Mark E. Keenum said. “More importantly, I am excited about the opportunities we are creating for students to gain the education they need to compete for the jobs of the 21st century. Students in MGCCC’s technical education and culinary arts programs now have a direct path for obtaining a bachelor’s degree in their field, enhancing their future and the state of Mississippi’s future.”

The agreements signed Thursday outline which courses must be taken from each institution to fulfill degree requirements. For both degree programs, an MSU adviser will be available to assist MGCCC students.