Above: From left, Dr. Mary S. Graham, MGCCC president, and Dr. Tony Waldrop, USA president, signing the Pathway USA partnership agreement on April 5.

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is now a partner in Pathway USA, a collaborative program between the University of South Alabama and select community colleges that creates a seamless transition to USA for transfer students who earn their associates degree.

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is the third community college partner in the program. The academic partnership will enable more MGCCC graduates to transfer to South and earn their bachelor’s degrees from USA.

“We are excited about the opportunities the Pathway USA partnership will afford MGCCC students who plan to continue their education after completing their associates degree with us,” said Dr. Mary S. Graham, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College president. “Student success is our institution’s top priority and offering our students seamless transfer options gets them one step closer to reaching their educational goals.”

Pathway USA’s agreement with MGCCC, which will begin with the 2016 fall semester, is geared toward students who are not admitted at South as well as students who may simply prefer to begin their college education at MGCCC. These students may choose to have a copy of their USA application and supporting documents forwarded to MGCCC for admission consideration. Students already attending Mississippi Gulf Coast may also apply for Pathway USA. A unique application will be created and available for MGCCC students to complete and submit.

“One of the pillars of the University of South Alabama’s strategic plan is making higher education more affordable and accessible,” said USA President Dr. Tony Waldrop. “We know that commitment is shared by our colleagues at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, and we look forward to working with them to provide more opportunities for students to earn a four-year degree from South.”

In addition to the Pathway USA announcement, both institutions also announced an agreement that will facilitate graduates of MGCCC’s Hotel & Restaurant Management program to smoothly transition into USA’s Hospitality and Tourism Management bachelor’s degree program.

For more information on Pathway USA at the University of South Alabama, contact USA’s Admissions Office at (251) 460-7834 or recruitment@southalabama.edu.

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