GUIDE2020-2021; ;

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Dear Emerging Scholars, Congratulations on your academic achievements! At Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College we understand and applaud the hard work, time, and dedication spent preparing for your educational and career goals. Students who attend Gulf Coast continue to pursue excellence after high school and are recognized for their academic accomplishments through outstanding scholarship opportunities. Many outstanding scholars at Gulf Coast win full-tuition transfer scholarships, scholarships for medical school and research fellowships. For MGCCC students in Phi Theta Kappa, the International Honor Society for two-year colleges, the transfer scholarships exceeded $3.2 million last year. Most of these same students received a variety of scholarships while at MGCCC, with most paying little or no tuition.

Creating these opportunities for success is one of our top priorities at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. The Emerging Scholars Partnership is a new initiative to provide students with learning experiences beyond the classroom through scholarship, research, and internship possibilities while attending Gulf Coast and beyond. This program is also designed to celebrate the contribution to academic success between students and parents, K-12 partners, and MGCCC. Together we create academic champions and student scholars! By joining the Emerging Scholars Partnership, you will become part of a prestigious group of current students and alumni. As part of the partnership, we will be working with area businesses to provide community service opportunities for students involved in the program, and workshops to prepare students for pathways to success. Thank you for your interest in Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and the Emerging Scholars program. We are excited to welcome you to the Bulldog family! Sincerely,

Dr. Mary S. Graham

Collaborating to Create Academic Champions

Overview

The Emerging Scholars Partnership brings MGCCC Phi Theta Kappa and Honors College advisors together with counselors, principals, parents, students and teachers from local school districts to prepare high school and college students to reach their full potential, receive scholarships and become academic champions.

This past spring, 252 MGCCC graduates were awarded $3.2 million in transfer scholarships. That equates to more than $12,700 each to complete the remaining two years of college toward a bachelor’s degree! These same students also received a variety of scholarships at MGCCC, with most students paying little or no tuition for their two years at Gulf Coast.

The Emerging Scholars program will not only help school districts prepare students for opportunities to succeed through scholarships, but will provide a clearinghouse of scholarships available to students through MGCCC and for transfer after they graduate with an associate degree.

President’s Message

Phi Theta

Kappa

HonorsCollege Teaching& Research

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The Process The Process

9

ACT

GET INVOLVED

COMMUNITY SERVICE

WORKSHOPS

How to become anEmerging Scholar

Students with an ACT score of 21 or above will be preselected for the

Emerging Scholars Program.

Participate in workshops with MGCCC PTK and Honors College Faculty.Faculty and staff from MGCCC will provide workshops to students,

parents/guardians and counselors regarding how to apply for scholarships and research opportunities

EMERGE AS A SCHOLAR, RESEARCHER AND UPPERCLASSMANWork with MGCCC PTK advisors and Honors faculty

to earn research and transfer scholarship opportunities.MGCCC students earned over $3.2 million

last spring in transfer scholarships!

JUNIOR DRAFTThe Junior Draft is design to give parents

and high school juniors an overview of what MGCCC can offer.

Begin to grow your leadership skills and experienceby participating in student organizations in high school.

Strive to hold an officer or leadership positionwithin an organization.

Participate in community service activitieswhile in high school. Building your resume with

experience and service opportunities will become beneficial for future scholarship opportunities.

SENIOR SIGNING DAY(You will get your class schedule for MGCCC!)

We will celebrate our Emerging Scholars by hosting a signing day on April 23.

Students who attend this signing day will commit to MGCCC and the Emerging Scholars program

as well as be advised for fall classes.

PRESIDENTIAL RECEPTIONThe Presidential Reception is a prestigious event

where students, parents/guardians get to meet with our College President and hear her vision for the college.

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6APPLY FOR ADMISSIONS

Apply for admissions to MGCCC in September, and plan a campus visit.We recommend that you begin the application process as soon as possible.

MGCCC has three campus locations and each one offers a unique experience and a variety of programs.

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8JOIN PTK

Join PTK once you earn a 3.5 GPA on 12 credit hours.Students will receive an invitation to join PTK and gain access to over $90 million in scholarship opportunities.

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Scholarships

Academic Excellence Scholarships

Awards

Application Process

For more information, visit mgccc.edu/scholarships

MGCCC provides academic scholarships for full-time, first-time entering college students with qualifying ACT scores. The students must be legal residents of Mississippi, meet all admissions requirements, and register for classes.

There are no applications for these scholarships.

v

Expert Scholar

Master Scholar

3.0-3.45

3.5-4.0

$3,000

GPA Award Amount

$750 Per Semester

Scholarships

Leadership Scholarship

Minimium Eligibility Requirements

The Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Leadership Scholarship is a full-tuition scholarship open to students who, during their senior year in high school, served as Student Body President or Senior Class President.

• Legal resident of Mississippi. • First-time student entering as a freshman. • Must have served as Student Body President or Senior Class President as a high school senior. • To remain eligible for the scholarship, student must maintain a 2.5 GPA while enrolled in 15 or more credit hours per semester. • Scholarship is renewable for up to four consecutive semesters, including summer.

New Century Skills Scholarships

For more information, visit mgccc.edu/scholarships

The New Century Skills Scholarship is designed for first-time entering freshman that completed a two-year Career and Technical Program during high school.

Use your Career and Technical Experience at MGCCCDid you complete a two-year career or technical program in high school? You may eligible to earn a New Century Skills Scholarship at MGCCC!

New Century Skills – Expert and Master Scholar AwardsThese scholarships are awarded to Mississippi residents who are “first-time to enter college” freshmen CTE students, have a high-school diploma, and have completed a two-year secondary CTE program.

Awards

Eligibility• High school graduates with overall G.P.A. of 3.0 – 4.0• First-time students / entering freshman• Completed a two-year secondary CTE program• Legal resident of Mississippi

AcceptanceNew Century Skills Scholarships are not stackable with an Academic Excellence ScholarshipNew Century Skill Scholarships may be stacked with one additional institutional scholarship in all other categories (athletic, performance and service, honors, housing, etc.)Students may enroll in any academic or technical program of their choice

Maintaining EligibilityThe scholarship is renewable for up to four consecutive semestersStudent must be enrolled in and complete a minimum of 15 credit hours each semesterStudent must maintain a 2.5 cumulative G.P.A. or higher

* Room and Board are included with an ACT score of 29 and above only.

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Award Amount

MGCCC GPA

Room Award Amount* $1,300 Max Board Award Amount* $1,050 Max

$1,750

3.5 3.2 3.0 2.5

$1,200 $750 $250Per Semester

29 and Above 25-28 21-24 20ACT Score

Per Semester Per Semester Per Semester

Per Semester

Per Semester

MGCCC GPA 3.5

$6,000$1500 Per Semester

Over Two Years

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Honors College

Minimium Eligibility Requirements

Honors College Benefits

Admission Process

Founded at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in 1987, the Honors College offers special courses and activities, along with $2,000-per-year scholarships, to academically talented students. Nearly 150 students participate in the Honors College at MGCCC’s Jackson County, Jefferson Davis, and Perkinston campuses.

The Honors College calls for students who possess a high intellect and enthusiasm for learning and an excellent potential for growth and development. Participants also share a concern for world issues, like the environment, politics, crises, and ethics. For a select number of students, the program provides academic as well as financial opportunities.

To be eligible for an Honors Scholarship, a student must apply and enroll in the MGCCC Honors College. Students must complete a minimum of 15 credit hours each semester, including seven hours of honors credit courses, maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2 with no grade lower than a C and an Honors forum.

Eligible students receive the following:

• $2,000 per year academic tuition scholarship • Priority registration • Seminar/study room • Sessions with MGCCC’s President • Enhanced opportunities for transfer scholarships

Admission to the Honors Program is based on class ranking, ACT scores, and faculty recommendations.

Apply to the Honors ProgramStudents who wish to participate in the program must complete an application, attend an interview with an Honors College Director, and meet any two of the appropriate criteria.

Honors College Honors College

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Phi Theta KappaPhi Theta Kappa

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society has helped millions of high-achieving college students reach their full potential. Phi Theta Kappa recognizes academic success and provides students with opportunities to develop professional and leadership skills, earn scholarships, and explore career paths.

What is Phi Theta Kappa? Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) is an international scholastic and leadership honor society for two-year colleges. Students who are working towards, an associate degree are eligible for membership. The Gamma Nu chapter at the Perkinston Campus, Omicron Alpha chapter at the Jefferson Davis Campus, Pi Epsilon chapter at the Jackson County Campus and Beta Tau Eta chapter at the George County Center require a 3.5 GPA on 12 credit hours before being eligible to join.

PTK is designed to encourage and recognize two-year college students for their academic achievements and success. PTK gives students the opportunity to enhance their leadership and service skills while earning thousands of dollars in scholarships. In addition, PTK builds fellowship with other members as well as the advisors.

Why Join PTK at MGCCC?• Up to $90 million in scholarships to help you complete your associate, bachelor’s, and

even master’s degrees.• Access to $46 million in transfer scholarships offered by nearly 800 four-year colleges

and universities across the country.• Awards specifically for career-bound students, including some field-specific opportunities

that cover the cost of certification exam fees.• Leadership and service experiences that will boost your resume, making you more

competitive for both PTK and non-PTK scholarships.

Scholarships that students at MGCCC are eligible to receive through PTK:

• Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise - $1,000 • Coca-Cola Academic Team - $1,000 - $1,500• All-USM Academic Team - $5,000• Coca-Cola New Century Scholar - up to full-tuition • Coca-Cola New Century Workforce Scholar - $1,250 • GEICO Pathway to Completion Scholar - $1,500• Tennessee Valley Authority Scholar - $2,250 • Pearson Scholar - $5,000• Guistwhite Scholar - $5,000• Hites Scholar - $7,500• Jack Kent Cooke Scholar - $40,000

In addition to these scholarships, Mississippi universities offer an average between $8,000 and $16,000 in scholarships (over two years) to PTK students.

2019 Leaders Of Promise ScholarsFrom Left: Angel Rivera, Arlene Lopez, Garrett Dobson, Haleigh Hawkins, Max Greenough,

Holly Baryo, Andrew Hodges, Katelyn Winstead And Michael Pugh

*Information adapted from ptk.org and partners

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Teaching & Research

Emerging Scholars at MGCCC become eligible for a variety of state-supported teaching, and research, and post-graduate opportunities. Students will work with Gulf Coast faculty, staff, and administration to prepare and apply for research fellowships and scholarships.

Mississippi Excellence in Teaching Scholar• Designed to attract the top performing students to teacher education programs with

full scholarships and professional incentives.• Designed to create a unique “honors college style” learning experience for high-

achieving education students and promote collaboration between students and faculty.• Pays full tuition and fees, a room and board allowance, and up to $1,000 reimbursement

for a laptop.

Mississippi INBRE Research Scholar • Mississippi IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence.• The Mississippi INBRE Research Scholars program is an 11-week summer research

internship for undergraduate students. • Mississippi INBRE Research Scholars will receive an award of $4,500.

Post Graduate

Riley Brown2018 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar, receiving a $1,000 scholarship for the 2018-2019 school year. The scholarship provides financial resources to PTK members to help defray educational expenses while students are enrolled in an associate degree program.

Brown, who is a biomedical engineering major, was also named a Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholar for the University of Mississippi. The MRPS provides up to $120,000 for graduate studies and medical school for those who qualify.

Nader Pahlevan 2018 GEICO Pathway to Completion Associate Degree Scholar. He was one of only two students in the nation selected for the scholarship from the nearly 1,600 students who applied.

Pahlevan also received the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship through the University of Mississippi. The scholarship provides up to $120,000 for graduate studies and medical school for those who qualify.

2019 INBRE Biomedical Research Scholars From left: Thomas Pegoda, Marjorie Lam, Bridget Boehm, Thuy “Rose” Hien, Evan Smith And Dylan Tran

Mississippi Rural Physician Scholar • Applicants must have a minimum of a 3.0 BCPM GPA (biology, chemistry,

physics and math) and cumulative GPA in order to apply. • MRPS seeks candidates with a demonstrated history of volunteerism, excellent

time management skills, strong work ethic, leadership skills and initiative. • The scholarship awards $30,000 per year.• May receive as much as $120,000.00 to cover medical school.

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Student ScholarsStudent Scholars

Meghan NguyenJack Kent Cooke Transfer Scholarship. Meghan was one of two students in the state to receive the Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship this year. Both students are from MGCCC’s Jackson County Campus.

Nguyen was also one of only 10 students in the nation to be named a Pearson Scholar in 2018, and one of two students selected as a 2019 Tennessee Valley Authority Scholar.

Rebecca Davis Jack Kent Cooke Transfer Scholarship. Rebecca was one of two students in the state selected to receive the prestigious Scholarship. She was selected for the highly competitive scholarship out of 1,500 applicants nationally. The prestigious award was only offered to 61 students and provides recipients with up to $40,000 annually for a maximum of three years to complete their bachelor’s degrees.

Brianna Purnell2019 New Century Workforce Pathway Scholar. She is the only student in Mississippi selected to receive the scholarship.The first of its kind, the scholarship is designed to support students at associate degree-granting institutions who plan to enter the workforce upon completion of a degree or certificate.

Morgan RichPearson Scholarship for Higher Education. Morgan was one of only 10 students in the nation to receive the scholarship out of almost 800 applicants. The Pearson Scholarship is awarded to Phi Theta Kappa members who are civically engaged in their community through service and who demonstrate leadership, academic rigor and excellence.

Rich, who was a contestant in Mississippi’s Miss Hospitality competition this summer, was selected for Top Speech Winner and in the top 5 overall. She was awarded a $500 scholarship for winning the speaking category.

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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 in its programs and activities. For further information, contact the Compliance Officer, P.O. Box 609, Perkinston, Mississippi 39573, telephone number 601-528-8735, email address compliance@mgccc.edu.

PHI THETAKAPPA

HONORSCOLLEGE

TEACHING& RESEARCH

For more information about Emerging Scholars, please contact Office of Recruitment

recruiting@mgccc.edu or 228-896-2536.