Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is expanding hands-on learning opportunities for students through a new partnership with the University of Mississippi as part of the Gulf Scholars Program. Supported by a $75,000 grant from the Gulf Research Program of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, the initiative will provide students with immersive research experiences focused on environmental challenges impacting the Gulf region.

The five-year program, approved in late 2025 and running through fall 2030, will be led at MGCCC by Dr. Linda Nix, biology instructor at the Jackson County Campus. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to connecting students across Mississippi through experiential, place-based learning.

“This partnership opens the door for our students to engage in meaningful, real-world research while building relationships with university faculty and peers,” said Dr. Nix. “I’m especially excited to see our students gain confidence as they collaborate with upper-level university students and contribute to solutions that directly impact the Gulf Coast. These are opportunities that will shape not only their academic paths, but also their roles as future leaders in their communities.”

Through the Gulf Scholars Program, MGCCC students will collaborate with University of Mississippi students and faculty to study complex environmental issues such as climate change, water quality, and coastal resilience. The program is designed to bridge the gap between community college and university experiences, giving students early access to research opportunities often reserved for upperclassmen at four-year institutions.

Participants will engage in a variety of hands-on experiences, including field-based research along the Mississippi River and visits to coastal research sites such as the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Activities will include data collection, environmental analysis, and immersive learning experiences that connect classroom knowledge to real-world applications.

“The program will be for students on MGCCC’s Jackson County Campus, many of whom have deep personal ties to the Coast and environmental impacts on the area,” Nix said. “By participating in research that directly affects their communities, students gain not only academic experience but also a sense of purpose as environmental stewards.”

The $75,000 grant ensures that students can participate at no cost, removing financial barriers and expanding access to high-impact educational opportunities. In addition to developing scientific and research skills, students will build critical thinking, adaptability, teamwork, and leadership abilities that prepare them for future careers.

Students will begin participating in the program in spring 2027, starting with virtual collaboration before transitioning into in-person field experiences in May 2027. The program will follow a yearly cycle of research, planning, and immersive fieldwork, continuing to grow and expand opportunities throughout the five-year grant period.

Open to students from all academic disciplines, the Gulf Scholars Program emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and encourages participants to explore their roles as global citizens addressing complex environmental challenges.

For more information or to express interest in becoming part of the program in spring 2027, contact Dr. Linda Nix at (228) 497-7764 or linda.nix@mgccc.edu.