Our Student Services staff embodies the college’s mission: making a positive difference.
We are dedicated to giving you the highest quality experience at MGCCC. We are here to help you when you need it, so do not hesitate to come to us with a problem or suggestion. Student Services is an administrative, service-oriented unit within MGCCC. Student Services provides activities and programs designed to enhance a student’s college experience. Eight of the most important functions are outlined below:
- Advisement:
MGCCC conducts a comprehensive advisement system to aid students in selecting an educational pathway, exploring educational goals, selecting courses and scheduling classes. An important aspect of an effective advisement system is close association between students and the faculty advisor. Periodic scheduled contacts are held during each semester to facilitate the system. Students are advised to check the campus calendar for dates and times of scheduled meetings.
- Assessment Centers:
Campus assessment centers provide a variety of proctored testing services. Some of the services provided by the assessment centers will include proctored testing for on-line courses, entrance exams, certification exams, Credit for College Level Examination Program (CLEP) allowing students to achieve college credits by examinations, PearsonVUE testing, and ACCUPLACER testing used to evaluate competency levels of potential students in specific academic areas. Other services are also available. Students may contact the assessment centers on the appropriate campus with any questions by email.
- Child Care Services:
The college operates Early Childhood Education Centers to provide low-cost child care services to full-time students. Facilities are operated at the Jackson County and Harrison County Campuses. The centers are in full-compliance with the standards and regulations provided through the Mississippi Department of Health, and all staff have degree qualifications as Early Childhood Professionals.
- Enrollment Service Centers:
Enrollment Service Centers provide the student with one location to address all admissions, financial aid and guidance needs. Admissions and financial aid services include assistance with the application process and receipt of documents to complete requirements. Enrollment Specialists provide information concerning educational and career opportunities, orientation to college life, decision-making skills, personal and social development. Evaluation of credit, both Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and transfer, is available upon request by the student.
- Financial Aid:
A number of financial assistance options are available for students from federal, state and local sources. Refer to the “Financial Information” section of this catalog for information about available financial aid opportunities, application procedures and requirements.
- MGCCC Campus Police:
MGCCC Campus Police are staffed by state certified law enforcement officers. Officers patrol the campus, investigate all crime and assist students, faculty, staff and guests when needed. Student ID’s and parking decals, and criminal background checks with fingerprinting for MGCCC programs, are provided to students and employees.
- Orientation and Placement Assessment:
All entering first time freshmen are required to attend a scheduled orientation program prior to the beginning of the semester. Orientation is a process of welcoming students to the college. Explanations of policies, procedures and programs take place at this time. Since entering freshmen may differ in their academic preparation, the college makes every effort to determine the appropriate level of beginning instruction for each student. The college currently uses the American College Test Assessment (ACT) or ACCUPLACER. After assessment in the areas of English, mathematics and reading, students are placed in courses appropriate with their ability levels and academic background.
- Veterans Educational Services:
Students utilizing Military Benefits may visit the Enrollment Services Center for assistance related to Military Benefits. All students receiving Military benefits are required to report changes in course load, absences, interruption in attendance or withdrawals to the Military Benefits Processing Center using the online process found at https://mgccc.edu/enroll/apply-now/military-students/ to minimize personal liability resulting from over payments of Military benefits.
Conduct and Discipline
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College requires standards of behavior which it considers essential to fulfillment of the College’s mission. The Code of Student Conduct defines expected behaviors and clearly addresses student conduct for which disciplinary sanctions may be imposed by the College. The Code of Student Conduct is published in the College’s Policies and Procedures Manual Statement No. 717, which is located on the college website. Student conduct and discipline is also published in the student handbook.
Right of Appeal
In some instances, students have a right to appeal disciplinary action taken against them. The criteria for the Right of Appeal are stated in Policies and Procedures Statement No. 717, which is located on the college website. Students may also see the student handbook for specific directions for appealing the decision of a conduct hearing.
Who’s Who Among Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Students
A number of sophomores not to exceed two percent of the full-time enrollment on each campus will be chosen from nominees for inclusion in Who’s Who Among Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Students. These students must have a 2.5 or higher average and possess qualities of leadership, citizenship and personality. Students who receive this award are recognized at the annual awards ceremony held on each campus.
Hall of Fame
Each year the Awards Committee on each campus reviews Who’s Who nominees and selects a number of students up to one percent of the full-time enrollment on each campus recognition in the Hall of Fame. Students who receive this award are recognized at the annual awards ceremony held on each campus.
Citizenship Award
Each year, campuses choose one male and one female student to receive the Citizenship Award. Nominees must be in the last semester of his/her program, demonstrate outstanding qualities as a campus or community leader, demonstrate characteristics of good citizenship, and excellent social skills such as a pleasing personality, positive attitude, ability to work with others and above average grades. Students who receive this award are recognized at the annual awards ceremony held on each campus.
Veterans Educational Services
Students utilizing Military Benefits may visit the Enrollment Services Center for assistance related to Military Benefits. All students receiving Military benefits are required to report changes in course load, absences, interruption in attendance, adding courses or withdrawals to the Military Benefits Processing Center using the online schedule change form found at https://mgccc.edu/enroll/apply-now/military-students/ to minimize personal liability resulting from over payments of Military benefits.
Veterans Administration Information
Admission requirements must be met before the student can be certified with Veterans Administration. Admission documents will become part of the permanent record of the applicant.
Maintenance of Records
Each student’s records pertaining to the certification of enrollment for Military Benefits, are under the administrative supervision of the Director of Military Benefits Processing. All financial records are maintained by the Dean of Business Services. The Director of Military Benefits Processing is responsible for each eligible student’s certification.
Residency Information for Military and Dependents
Special provisions regarding in-state residency are provided for military members and their dependents. (See MGCCC Catalog – Residency ) To be considered for in-state tuition status, proper documentation must be provided to the Military Benefits Processing Center (current military orders, Certificate of Eligibility, etc.).
Previous Education and Training Period
Each student’s permanent record will show previous education and training. Enrollment certificates submitted to the Veterans Administration will reflect proper education and training credit. An evaluation of a student’s education will be made by designated college personnel. A prospective student should make known to college admissions personnel that his or her past record includes creditable courses.
*All transfer students will require a degree evaluation from an Enrollment Specialist or Degree Works. Official transcripts must be submitted from all previous colleges to the Admissions Office to be reviewed by the Articulation and Credential Specialist for evaluation and eligible credits posted. All veteran students must also submit their military transcripts for evaluation and eligible credits posted.
The Military Benefits Processing Center will verify that all registered courses follow the proper degree plan and there are no repeat courses previously assigned a passing grade. Students receiving Military Benefits will be financially responsible for any repeated coursework where a passing grade has been assigned and courses not required for the student’s area of interest or graduation.
Standards of Progress for Students Receiving Military Benefits
The Benefits Processing Center reports unsatisfactory progress to the Veterans Administration
(Refer to the Scholastic Probation , Suspension and Readmission Policy )
Attendance Records for Students Receiving Military Benefits
It is important that the eligible student, college personnel, and Veterans Administration adhere to attendance policies contained in official college publications. If the student exceeds the number of allowed absences, notification will be made by the instructor (s) through the college’s enrollment system. Proper notice will be given to the Military Benefits Processing Center who will report all changes to the Veterans Administration within 30 days. The student has an equal responsibility to make the Military Benefits Processing Center aware of schedule changes prior to or once the change has occurred using the Schedule Change Form found at https://mgccc.edu/enroll/apply-now/military-students/schedule-change-form/. The student’s last day of attendance may be determined by: (a) instructor’s attendance records; (b) approved withdrawal date by the designated Dean of Teaching and Learning for special circumstances.
Reports to the Veterans Administration
Any change in the status from the last certification (biographical, degree plan, course load, etc.) will promptly be reported to the Veterans Administration. Reports of unsatisfactory progress, drops, withdrawals, and unscheduled interruptions will be made within thirty (30) days of the occurrence. The student is to immediately report any schedule changes to the Military Benefits Processing using the online process found at https://mgccc.edu/enroll/apply-now/military-students/.
Athletics
The Intercollegiate Athletic Program at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is consistent with the college mission by contributing to the educational development of individual student-athletes. Through training and competition, student-athletes gain discipline and opportunities for social, moral, and personal development.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College maintains a highly successful athletic program. The Bulldogs, as the college athletic teams are known, compete in the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference in football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, baseball, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, softball, golf, men’s tennis and women’s tennis. These competitive teams have won state, regional, and national championships in recent years with many students being named as All-American.
Student-athletes who participate in intercollegiate athletics must comply with the existing rules and regulations of the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges and the National Junior College Athletic Association. Therefore, all student-athletes must fulfill college admissions requirements and remain in good academic standing in order to participate in intercollegiate athletics. It is the goal of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College athletic department to provide our student-athletes with the resources necessary to ensure their success while both at our institution and their future destination.
Student Complaint and Grievance Procedures
The criteria for Student Complaints and Grievance Procedures are stated in Policies and Procedures Statement No. 718, which is located on the college website. Students may also see the Student Handbook for procedures regarding filing a grievance or complaint.
Career and Technical Support Services
The Career-Technical Department at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College believes that all students deserve a chance to be successful in their fields of study.
A Career-Technical Support Team at each campus or center can help you succeed in the career or technical field of your choice. These dedicated personnel assist students by implementing the best practices that include providing a plethora of resources and strive to ensure high-quality pathways for mastery in a career or technical program.
The Support Teams are dedicated to serving the needs of all students: students with disabilities; students entering non-traditional fields; students who are single parents or displaced homemakers; students who are economically disadvantaged; students who have difficulty with the English language; academically deficient or other federally identified barriers; homeless individuals described in section 725 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11434a); youth who are in, or have aged out of, the foster care system; and youth with a parent who is a member of the armed forces and is on active duty.
Clubs and Organizations
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College provides a wide variety of student clubs and organizations for our students. These clubs are intended to help students branch out and discover new opportunities and avenues for personal enrichment. For a full listing of these student clubs and organizations, please go to the Student Life section on our college website or see a Coordinator of Student Life.
Student Government Association
The Student Government Association plans activities for the students, encourages student discussion of campus concerns, presents helpful recommendations to the faculty and administration, and generally acts in an advisory capacity to the students.
Students have the opportunity to take an active part in the Student Government Association on each campus. Made up of selected and elected representatives from each class of the college, these democratic bodies, through executive and advisory functions, are the voices of the students in helping to determine the success of the college.
The membership of Student Government Association is composed of representatives of each campus. Each member is guaranteed all rights of membership and shall be subject to all procedures in accordance with the constitution. The representatives will consist of six executive officers, the freshman class president, the sophomore class president, and members-at-large.
The Student Government Association on each campus also exercises general supervision over other campus organizations and must approve the formation of any new group on campus.
Residence Life (Perkinston Campus)
Living accommodations are provided on the Perkinston Campus. Each residence hall has its own distinctive features, along with certain standard conveniences. Each residence hall has coin-operated laundry facilities and student resident assistants. Air-conditioned rooms are designed for double or triple occupancy and are provided with closet or wardrobe space, twin beds, desks, chairs, mattresses, and Internet access. Students must provide bed linens, pillows, towels and other small personal items such as a small wastebasket, study lamp, television, stereo, telephone, and other decorative items. Students are required to purchase a 5- or 7-day meal plan. Students should not keep valuables in their rooms. The resident will be requested to release and hold harmless the College from any liability for theft of any personal property from resident’s room.
For additional information, contact the Housing Office, P.O. Box 548, Perkinston, MS 39573, phone number (601) 928-6220. To reserve a room, students must be pre-registered for a minimum of 12 credit hours and submit a housing application online at https://mgccc.edu/about/student-life/housing/apply-housing/. To remain eligible for housing, timely fee payment and full-time status are required. Room charges are non-refundable.
The Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Alumni Association
The Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Alumni Association advances the mission of MGCCC by engaging and connecting alumni with the college by networking with current students and graduates to highlight alumni relations.
Former students, faculty, staff, and friends of the college are eligible for membership in the MGCCC Alumni Association. Individual annual membership dues are $25; couple annual membership dues are $40; individual lifetime membership dues are $200; and couple lifetime membership dues are $250. MGCCC graduates receive a complimentary two- year Alumni Association membership upon graduation.
Major events established and implemented by the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Alumni Association include the Alumni Hall of Fame Reception, Homecoming, the Annual Spring Reception, the Annual Bulldog Tailgate, and county/chapter meetings. The MGCCC Alumni Association encourages future Bulldogs through the Alumni-sponsored Junior Bulldog Club.
During Homecoming, the MGCCC Alumni Association recognizes notable alumni by inducting them into the MGCCC Alumni Hall of Fame. Established in 1970, the MGCCC Alumni Hall of Fame honors former students who bring fame and honor to the college through their achievements. Other events carried out by the MGCCC Alumni Association during Homecoming include the Alumni Art Show, the Archives Exhibit, the Homecoming Cookout, and Class Reunions for former classes by year and special recognition groups.
The Annual Spring Reception includes recognition of honors for high performing MGCCC employees. Four faculty members who have made a significant impact at the college are recognized as Instructors of the Year. Chosen from each campus and combined centers, Instructors of the Year are nominated by students and colleagues. Also during the Annual Spring Reception, four outstanding MGCCC employees are honored as L.N. Dantzler Difference Makers for their tireless work and positive attitudes. These Difference Makers are nominated by their peers.
The Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Foundation
The Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Foundation, Inc. was established and chartered in 1974 for the purpose of providing opportunities for the investment of funds, either designated or undesignated, for use in long-range plans and scholarship programs. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is governed by a Board of Directors, on which the MGCCC President and two MGCCC Executive Council members serve ex officio.
The mission of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Foundation, Inc. is to support the college’s mission through strategically developing donated resources, building community relationships, and ensuring fiscal responsibility. For more information, please write to MGCCC Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 99, Perkinston, MS 39573.
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