Dec 04, 2024  
2024-2025 College Catalog 
    
2024-2025 College Catalog

General College Section


 


District Office
PO Box 609 • Perkinston, MS 39573
Telephone: (601) 928-5211 • Fax: (601) 928-6386

Community Campus (Established 1996)
10298 Express Drive • Gulfport, MS 39503
Telephone: (228) 897-4360 • Fax: (228) 897-4375

Jackson County Campus (Established 1965)
2300 Highway 90
PO Box 100 • Gautier, MS 39553
Telephone: (228) 497-9602 • Fax: (228) 497-9604

Harrison County Campus (Established 1965)
2226 Switzer Road • Gulfport, MS 39507
Telephone: (228) 896-2536 • Fax: (228) 896-2520

Perkinston Campus (College division established 1925)
51 Main Street
PO Box 548 • Perkinston, MS 39573
Telephone: (601) 928-5211 • Fax: (601) 928-6345

George County Center (Established 1972)
11203 Old Highway 63 South
PO Box 77 • Lucedale, MS 39452
Telephone: (601) 947-4201 • Fax: (601) 947-4899

Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Center
(Established 1964—Relocated 1991)
10298 Express Drive • Gulfport, MS 39503
Telephone: (228) 897-4360 • Fax: (228) 897-4375

West Harrison County Center (Established 1985)
21500 B Street • Long Beach, MS 39560
Telephone: (228) 563-2220 • Fax: (228) 868-6060

Keesler Center (Established 1973)
500 Fisher Street
PO Box 5008 • Biloxi, MS 39534
Telephone: (228) 897-3891 • Fax: (228) 435-1542

Naval Construction Battalion Center (Established 2000)
Bldg. 304, Suite 411
3190 John Paul Jonse Avenue • Gulfport, MS 39501
Telephone: (228) 897-3795

Haley Reeves Barbour Maritime Training Academy
(Established 2013)
1000 Jerry Saint Pe’ Highway • Pascagoula, MS 39568
Telephone: (228) 497-7855

The Bryant Center at Tradition (Established 2018)
19330 Highway 67 • Biloxi, MS  39532
Telephone:  (228) 267-8637 • Fax (228) 267-8644

Harrison, Stone, Jackson, and George Counties Cooperating

Foreword

This publication is intended to be a helpful source of information about the opportunities for educational advancement offered by Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. The college offers the first two years of university transfer programs covering a broad scope of courses, including technical and career programs. This bulletin covers general academic requirements and procedures, student activities, curricula, and course descriptions. Also included are descriptions of the physical facilities on Jackson County Campus at Gautier, Harrison County Campus at Gulfport-Biloxi, both non-resident, and Perkinston Campus at Perkinston, which has residence hall facilities for men and women. Information is also included on the George County Center, Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Center, West Harrison County Center, Bryant Center, Keesler Air Force Base Center, and the Naval Construction Battalion Center. Information is organized into six parts as outlined in the table of contents, each furnishing information to students and/or their parents, spouse, or guardian. Specific topics may be located by consulting the index. A better understanding of the institution, its philosophy, offerings and advantages will be gained by reading this bulletin in its entirety.

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. Blythe King

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

Jackson County Campus:
Michelle Sekul, Dr, Melissa Davis

Harrison County Campus:
Dr. Ashley Rollin, Dr. Zachary Moulds

Keesler Center:
Regina Story

Navy Base Center:
Regina Story

Perkinston Campus:
Trey Robertson, Dr. Kady B. Pietz

George County Center:
Dr. Chris Bagwell

West Harrison County Center:
Millie Bordelon

Maritime Training Academy:
Vacant

Bryant Center at Tradition:
Vacant

Drug-Free Workplace Policy

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.

Mission, Vision and Values

Mission

The mission of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is to meet the educational and community needs in George, Harrison, Jackson, and Stone counties by providing superior instruction through traditional and technological formats to offer workforce pathways, certificates, diplomas, and associate transfer and applied degrees. The college embraces lifelong learning, productive citizenship, service learning, and leadership development in a dynamic and innovative learning environment.

Vision

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College will be a globally competitive learning community with an entrepreneurial spirit that inspires excellence and accelerates achievement.

Values

Accountability: An acceptance of responsibility for appropriate actions, obligations and duties.

Collaboration: A process that facilitates transfer of knowledge, skills and attainment of common goals.

Excellence: A motivation where the highest standards are viewed as benchmarks to surpass.

Integrity: A commitment to honesty and ethical behavior in all situations.

Leadership: A process of directing groups of people toward a common goal.

Respect: A feeling of esteem or regard for the unique qualities of all individuals.

Service: An action performed for others without the desire for personal gain.

Social Responsibility: An ethical, inclusive approach to serve and engage our community.

History

On September 5, 1911, the Harrison County School Board established the Harrison County Agricultural High School, an action that marked the beginning of the present-day Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. As an inducement to locate the school at the little town of Perkinston, a number of prominent citizens donated 566 acres of land and $626. Their efforts were successful and, with one building, Huff Hall, the institution began operation on September 17, 1912.

On June 5, 1916, Stone County was formed from the northern part of Harrison County, and the school continued under the dual support of both counties.   

Realizing that a new educational concept, the junior college, was ideally suited to the needs of Mississippi, the Legislature in 1924 enabled the counties to cooperate with the state in offering education beyond the high school level to all who could profit from it and in their home community. One of the first junior colleges to be organized was founded in conjunction with the Harrison-Stone Agricultural High School.  Jackson County added its support to the coming institution in the summer of 1925, and the new institution opened on September 14, 1925, as the Harrison-Stone-Jackson Agricultural High School and Junior College offering the first year of junior college work. Sophomore classes were added in the 1926-27 session, and the first class of one student finished on May 20, 1927.  On July 15, 1942, George County added its support to the institution, which then took the official name of Perkinston Junior College.

The institution served the needs of its community endeavoring to fulfill its purpose: “To develop the cultural, intellectual and character resources of the people of this area, point the way to an economic livelihood based on natural resources, and promote responsible citizenship.”

In May 1962, 50 years after its organization, the Agricultural High School division was discontinued, and local high schools provided for the youth of the community. On May 10, 1962, the governor of the state of Mississippi signed into law House Bill 597, which created the Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College District. This bill wiped out county lines as far as the college was concerned. The District became a single unit in which each taxpayer shared equally to support junior college education for the area. The District was founded to bring higher education to the people so they could train and/or retrain to meet the needs of business and industry; to enable young people to live at home, hold jobs and go to school; and to bring cultural as well as academic enrichment to people of all ages.

In September 1965, Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College became a tri-campus institution when two new campuses were opened on the Gulf Coast – Jefferson Davis Campus in Handsboro (renamed Harrison County Campus in 2020) and Jackson County Campus in Gautier. In 1965, the Seabee Base Manpower Training Center (founded the previous year) became a branch of the new Jefferson Davis Campus. After its removal to the Industrial Seaway in 1968, this branch took the name Harrison County Occupational Training Center.  In 1972, the George County Occupational Training Center (renamed George County Center in 2001) opened in Lucedale as a branch of the Perkinston Campus. In 1973, the Keesler Center opened at Keesler Air Force Base as a branch of the Jefferson Davis Campus. In 1985, the West Harrison County Occupational Training Center (renamed West Harrison County Center in 2001) opened in Long Beach as a branch of the Jefferson Davis Campus.

To clearly reflect the comprehensive nature of the college, the name was changed on October 1, 1987, to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

In spring 1991, the college relocated the Harrison County Occupational Training Center to Intraplex 10 with the opening of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Applied Technology and Development Center. In spring 2007, the center’s name was changed to the Mississippi Gulf Coast Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Center.  Established as a partnership among Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Mississippi Power Company and the Harrison County Development Commission, the center was founded to serve as a training facility in support of economic development activities on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. In 1996, a campus “without walls” concept was introduced, resulting in a fourth campus called Community Campus.

In August 2000, the Naval Construction Battalion Center at the Seabee Base in Gulfport was established as part of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Classes began in January 2001, providing even more services to meet the diverse needs of Gulf Coast residents, both military and civilian. The Gulf Coast office at the base is in the Morrell Building, which is just inside the Broad Avenue entrance in Gulfport.

Two other centers have been added to the college since that time.  The Haley Reeves Barbour Maritime Training Academy in Pascagoula opened in 2013 and the Nursing and Simulation Center at the Bryant Center at Tradition, located in Biloxi, in 2018.  Those two centers bring the college total to 10 campuses and centers throughout its four-county district.  For-profit facilities are also located at the three main campuses, including the Estuarine Education Center at the Jackson County Campus (2007), the Hospitality Resort Management Center at the Harrison County Campus (2012) and the King Center at the Perkinston Campus (2016). In late 2018 and early 2019, groundbreaking ceremonies were held for expansions on each of the three main campuses, with construction completed in 2020.  The new facilities include a 54,000-square-foot Immersive Media Performing Arts Center (iMPAC) at the Harrison County Campus; the Dantzler Arena which held its first basketball game in November 2022, a 57,331-square-foot residence hall and 24,717-square-foot Student Union on the Perkinston Campus; and the renovation and additions of a 91,150-square-foot Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Building at the Jackson County Campus.

Chief Executive Officers

At its establishment, the chief executive of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College was designated as the Superintendent.

In 1941, Albert Louis May became the first executive official designated as President.

The following individuals have served as the chief executive officers of this institution:

James Andrew Huff (1912-1917)
Claude Bennett (1917-1920)
John Jefferson Dawsey (1920-1921)
Thomas Ira Cook (1921-1922)
J.H. Forbis (1922-1924)
Jefferson Lee Denson (1924-1929)
Cooper J. Darby (1929-1941)
Albert Louis May (1941-1953)
Julius John Hayden, Jr. (1953-1985)
Barry Lee Mellinger (1986-1998)
Willis H. Lott (1998-2011)
Mary S. Graham (2011-present)

The emphasis in the organization and operation of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is that it is a single institutional entity with three traditional campus locations, four centers and a non-traditional campus without walls. The relationships of personnel on each of the four campuses to college administrative staff are the same personnel administrative relationships, which would be found on a single campus. The same general policies, philosophies of operations, purposes and objectives, as well as the same procedural methods, apply to all campuses equally, and exceptions can be made only when based on purely local factors.

The relationships of personnel on each of the three traditional campuses should always be close cooperation, articulation, and coordination among the campuses of the college. Individual differences that arise from differing student body characteristics, geographic locations, or purely local factors are respected, and their effects on procedure or policies are recognized as long as local decisions do not alter college administrative policies.

With the exception of certain courses and specialized areas, the three traditional campuses offer essentially the same basic instructional program. Course numbers and descriptions in the catalog, course outlines, textbooks, and supplementary materials apply to all campuses. Close departmental coordination among campuses helps insure all students’ optimum uniformity of instructional quality.

Physical Facilities

Perkinston Campus

The Perkinston Campus is located on Highway 49 in Perkinston, Mississippi, within Stone County. The campus is comprised of 508 acres of land at the Perkinston Campus, with the actual campus accounting for 130 acres. The campus houses both Academic and Career and Technical programs and is home to all MGCCC Athletic Teams and residence halls.

Harrison County Campus

The Harrison County Campus is located north of Highway 90, midway between Gulfport and Biloxi, in Gulfport, MS, within Harrison County. The campus is comprised of 120 acres of land. The campus houses both Academic and Career and Technical programs and is home to the Immersive Media Performing Arts Center (iMPAC), Hospitality and Resort Management Center (HRM).

Jackson County Campus

The Jackson County Campus is located adjacent to Highway 90, in Gautier, MS, within Jackson County. The campus provides Academic and Career and Technical programs and partners with Mississippi State University to provide Engineering on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.  

George County Center

The George County Center is located north of Highway 63 South, in Lucedale, MS, within George County. The center is home to Career and Technical Education programs, Academic, and Adult Education courses. Specific post-secondary programs at this location include Apprentice Electric Lineman, Welding, Cosmetology, Electrical Technology, and Health Care Assistant.

Advanced Manufacturing & Technology Center

The Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Center (AMTC) is located at Intraplex 10 in Gulfport, MS, within Harrison County. The center provides advanced manufacturing, industrial, technical, and professional skills training that boost economic development to the community.

The Bryant Center at Tradition

The Bryant Center at Tradition is located on Highway 67, in Biloxi, MS, within Harrison County. The center was opened in 2018 and houses the Associate Degree of Nursing program, Continuing Education, and Workforce Development classes.

West Harrison County Center

The West County Center is located in Industrial Park in Long Beach, MS, within Harrison County. The center offers post-secondary programs, Adult Education and Workforce Development classes. Specific post-secondary programs at this location include Massage Therapy, Cosmetology, Commercial Truck Driving, Welding, Health Care Assistance, Equipment Maintenance Technology, and Maritime Multi-Craft Technology.

Keesler Center

The Keesler Center  is located on the Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, MS, within Harrison County. The center was established to serve active duty and retired military, their dependents, and civilian workers. The center offers courses in accelerated format that lead to an Associate of Arts degree, Associate of Science degree, or the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) Associate degree.

Naval Construction Battalion Center

The Naval Construction Battalion Center is located on the Naval Construction Battalion Center (Seabee base) in Gulfport, MS, within Harrison County. The center was established to serve active duty and retired military, their dependents, and civilian workers. The center offers courses in accelerated format that lead to an Associate of Arts degree or Associate of Science degree.

Haley Reeves Barbour Maritime Training Academy

The Haley Reeves Barbour Maritime Training Academy is located outside of Ingall’s Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, MS, within Jackson County. The academy meets the training needs of apprentices and includes classrooms, computer laboratories, library space, and office spaces for students and faculty. The academy allows students to utilize the Ingall’s apprenticeship program where credit is applied towards an Associate’s Degree.