b'Transformational TrendsAdapting To Demographic ShiftsDemographic Population projections indicate that the Mississippi Gulf Coast will experience complex demographic shifts between 2020 and 2030 that will transform its general population, student population, and workforce. Shifts Embracing DiversityThe diversification of the population of the South by age and race is being experienced across all states. The general population across the country and Mississippi has been slowly aging (i.e., graying of America). Baby Boomers are currently turning age 65 at a rate of 10,000 per day, a trend that is expected to continue through 2031. Despite minor ebbs and flows, the prime working-age population in Mississippi has held steady over the past five years (20142019) Inordertothriveintheshiftingwhile the young, college-going population of Mississippi residents aged 2024 has declined by 20 percent. 2demographics of the next decade, collegesmustaskthevalue proposition question: what do we offer students, and is it what they want? These demographic shifts are also reflected in the regions high school graduates. Projections are that the overall number of high school graduates on the Mississippi Gulf Coast will decline by 12 percent between 2020 and 2030. In short, the Mississippi Gulf Coast is poised to enter a period of high school enrollment stagnation and diversification over the next ten years.Community college enrollment across the country has also decreased each year since reaching a peak in 2010. Enrollment has declined by more than one million students between 2010 and 2017. This is largely due to a rapid increase in dual enrollment students nationwide. 8 MGCCC STRATEGIC PLAN2030'