2023-2024 Student Handbook

Accreditation

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org). Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is accredited by the Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation.

The following programs hold specialized professional accreditation:

ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING —Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, 3825 Ridgewood Road, Jackson, MS  39211 (601-432-6486) and nationally accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326, Telephone number 404-975-5000.

COSMETOLOGY – License #560305/Registration #01-36306 (George County Center) and Cosmetology License #560781/Registration #08-11943 and Manicuring License #547950/Registration #08-16174 (West Harrison County Center), State of Mississippi Board of Cosmetology*, 239 North Lamar Street, Suite 301, Jackson, MS  39201, Telephone number-601-359-1820. Website www.msbc.ms.gov.

CULINARY ARTS TECHNOLOGY AND BAKING AND PASTRY TECHNOLOGY – American Culinary Federation Education Foundation Accrediting Commission (ACFEFAC), 180 Center Place Way, St. Augustine, FL 32095, Telephone number 904-824-4468. Website www.acfchefs.org.

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SCIENCES‐PARAMEDIC — Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), 9355 113th Street N., #7709, Seminole, FL 33775, Telephone number 727-210-2350, mail@caahep.org, under the recommendation of Committee on Accreditation for the EMS Professions (CoAEMSP), 8301 Lakeview Pkwy, Suite 111‐312, Rowlett, Texas 75088, Telephone number 214-703-8445, Website www.coaemsp.org.

MASSAGE THERAPY – Non-Conditional License #1711, Mississippi State Board of Massage Therapy*, 353 South Fourth Street, Morton, MS  39117.  Telephone number 601-732-6038. Website www.msbmt.ms.gov.

MEDICAL ASSISTING – Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), 9355 113th Street N., #7709, Seminole, FL 33775, Telephone number 727-210-2350, mail@caahep.org, under the recommendation of Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB), 2020 N. California Ave., #213 Suite 7, Chicago, IL  60647, Telephone Number 800-228-2262.  Website www.maerb.org.

MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY – National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 5600 N River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018‐5119, Telephone number 773‐714‐8880, info@naacls.org.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT - Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929, Telephone number (301) 652-AOTA. Website www.acoteonline.org.

PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT - Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22305-3085, Telephone number 703-706-3245, Website accreditation@apta.org.

PRACTICAL NURSING — Mississippi Community College Board (MCCB), 3825 Ridgewood Road, Jackson, MS  39211, Telephone number 601-432-6518, Mississippi State Board of Nursing (MSBON), 713 Pear Orchard Rd, Plaza II Suite 300, Ridgeland, MS 39157, Telephone number 601-957-6300, and nationally accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326, Telephone number 404‐975‐5000.

PROCESS OPERATIONS TECHNOLOGY – North American Process Technology Alliance (NAPTA)*, 1501 N. Amburn Road, Suite 3, Texas City, TX  77591, Telephone number 903-237-9382. Website www.naptaonline.org.

RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY — The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiological Technology (JRCERT), 20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850, Chicago, IL 60606-3182, Telephone number 312-704-5300, mail@jrcert.org.

RESPIRATORY CARE TECHNOLOGY – Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), 264 Precision Blvd, Telford, TN 37690, Telephone number 817-283-2835. Website www.coarc.com.

SIMULATION CENTER – Society of Simulation in Healthcare (SSH), 2021 L. Street, NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036, Telephone number 866-730-6127. Website www.ssih.org.

SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY – Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), 9355 113th Street N., #7709, Seminole, FL 33775, Telephone number 727-210-2350, mail@caahep.org, under the recommendation of Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA), 19751 East Main Street Suite #339, Parker, CO 80138, Telephone number 303-694-9262, info@arcstsa.org.

*These accrediting agencies are not federally recognized.

Compliance Policy

“In compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX, Education Amendments of 1972 of the Higher Education Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and other applicable Federal and State Acts, the Board of Trustees of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College hereby adopts a policy assuring that no one shall, on the grounds of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age or qualified disability be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination in any program or activity of the College. The Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes students and employees without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age or qualified disability.”

Compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title II of the Age Discrimination Act and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is coordinated by the Compliance Officer, Perkinston Campus, P. O. Box 609, Perkinston, Mississippi 39573, telephone number 601-528-8735, email address compliance@mgccc.edu.

Title IX and Sexual Harassment

The Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is the federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex (gender) in any educational program or activity that receives federal funding.

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) is committed to ensuring an institutional environment free from discrimination on the basis of sex or gender. An environment where all persons may pursue their studies, careers, duties, and activities in an atmosphere free of the threat of unwelcome and unwanted sexual actions. We take all forms of sexual harassment and other misconducts very seriously and place particular emphasis on responding effectively.

Any individual seeking to obtain a written copy of the Title IX and Sexual Harassment Policy of the MGCCC Policy and Procedure Manual may contact the Title IX Coordinator, telephone number 601-528-8735, email address compliance@mgccc.edu. More information on how to report sexual harassment or view Title IX training materials may be found on the College website at https://mgccc.edu/disclosures-and-compliances/title-ix-sexual-harassment/.

Title IX: Pregnancy and Parenting

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is committed to providing a supportive and inclusive environment for all employees and students, including those who are pregnant or parenting. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibit employment discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prevents discrimination in academic and other College programs based on sex, which includes pregnancy and parental status. As such, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College prohibits discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions.

The Title IX Coordinator is responsible for overseeing compliance with Title IX, including the provision of accommodations for pregnant students.

Pregnant or parenting students are entitled to reasonable accommodations as required by applicable law to students, to ensure their academic success and access to educational opportunities. To learn more about the types of accommodations Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College offers, contact the Title IX Coordinator.

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College prohibits retaliation against any individual who files a complaint or participates in an investigation regarding pregnancy discrimination. Any student who believes they have been discriminated against on the basis of pregnancy should report the incident to the Title IX Coordinator.

If a student is seeking an accommodation due to pregnancy or childbirth, the person should contact the Title IX Coordinator, telephone number 601-528-8735, email address compliance@mgccc.edu. More information regarding pregnancy and parenting rights may be found on the college website at https://mgccc.edu/disclosures-and-compliances/pregnancy-and-parenting/

Equal Opportunity Employer

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable laws regarding equal opportunities in all its activities, programs, and employment. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, gender, age, or qualified disability. The College complies with non-discriminatory regulations under Title VI and Title IX. All inquiries concerning discrimination should be directed to the appropriate Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Representative listed below:

District Office and College-wide EEOC Officer:
Dr. Jared Burns

Community Campus - Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Center:
Dr. Wayne Kuntz

Jackson County Campus:
Michelle Sekul

Harrison County Campus:
Dr. Blythe King, Dr. Zachary Moulds

Keesler Center:
Elizabeth Jauregui

Navy Base Center:
Elizabeth Jauregui

Perkinston Campus:
Dr. Jason Beverly, Jason Ferguson

George County Center:
Dr. Lisa Rhodes

West Harrison County Center:
Millie Hyatt-Bordelon

Maritime Training Academy:
Vacant

Bryant Center at Tradition:
Vacant

Drug-Free Workplace Act and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act

In compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, as revised by the Drug- Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989, Public Law 101-226, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is required to notify employees and students that the unlawful manufacturing, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance or alcohol is prohibited in the college environment. The College has adopted and implemented an educational, assistance, and referral program for students and employees.

Rehabilitation Act and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Information regarding disabilities, voluntarily given or inadvertently received, will not adversely affect any admission decision. If you require special services because of a disability, students and potential students should notify the CTE Support Services Personnel at the campus/center on which you expect to enroll and employees should notify Human Resources department at District Office.  Detailed information on processes and contact personnel for potential and current students can be found in the Students with Disabilities of this catalog.  This voluntary self-identification allows Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College to prepare appropriate support services to facilitate your learning and/or employment.

Student Right-To-Know and Campus Security Act

In compliance with the Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act, Public Law 101-542, November 8, 1990, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is required to under Title I: Section 103, to disclose completion or graduation rates of certificate- or degree-seeking, full-time students entering an institution to all students and prospective students. Title II of this act is known as the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990. Institutions must share information about campus safety policies and procedures and provide statistics concerning whether certain crimes took place. For further information, contact the Dean of Student Services on each campus. The Annual Fire Safety and Security Report can be found on the college website under Disclosures and Compliances.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and its subsequent revisions deal with educational records of students. The purpose of the law is to define who may or may not have access to student records. The law allows students and parents of dependent students, as defined by the IRS, access to the individual student’s educational records. MGCCC will release directory information on students to any interested member of the public unless the student requests that it be withheld. The Request to Withhold Directory Information is available in the Enrollment Services Center at each campus. Directory information is defined as follows: (1) the student’s name; (2) address; (3) telephone listing; (4) date and place of birth; (5) major field of study; (6) participation in officially recognized activities and sports; (7) organizations and sports; (8) College attendance; (9) student photo with identifying name; (10) weight and height of athletic team members, (11) dates of attendance; and (12) degrees received, honors and awards received. Except as provided by law, data released to sources outside the college will be in aggregate form and no personally identifiable information will be made available. Further information concerning provisions of the Act may be obtained from the campus Dean of Student Services or the Administrative Dean of College Centers. Additional information can be found in Statement No. 714 of the Policies and Procedures Manual.

Information contained in this publication is subject to change without prior notice. Information contained herein shall not constitute a binding agreement on the part of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.