The Associate Provost for the Gulf Coast serves as the chief academic and operating officer, next to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, for the Gulf Park campus and other teaching and research sites on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

In this position, the Associate Provost for the Gulf Coast oversees planning for the University's educational programs and works with the provost, vice presidents and deans to accomplish the educational objectives. Oversight of the Gulf Coast budgets and facilities is ensured by working closely with the Gulf Coast Director of Business and Finance.

The Associate Provost for the Gulf Coast also works closely with the University's Vice President for Student Affairs to oversee Gulf Coast student recruitment and retention procedures, and with the Vice President for Research and Economic Development to promote research at the various Gulf Coast sites.

The Associate Provost for the Gulf Coast also interacts with the business community and the military installations on the Gulf Coast.

Dr. Pat Joachim has assumed duties as Southern Miss associate provost for the Gulf Coast, effective immediately, serving a two-year interim appointment. A national search for a permanent replacement will be conducted at a later date.

As associate provost, Dr. Joachim is responsible for academic affairs on the coast campus and teaching sites, which include the Gulf Park campus in Long Beach, the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, the Stennis Space Center and the Jackson County campus. Southern Miss also provides educational opportunities at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi and a public outreach center at the Scott Aquarium.

In addition to serving as coordinator of Programs for Educational Leadership and Research at USMGC, she also has extensive administrative experience in education within the Gulf Coast’s school districts. Before serving as principal at Central Elementary School in Gulfport, she was assistant principal at Fernwood Junior High School in Biloxi. Most recently, Dr. Joachim was the assistant superintendent of personnel with the Ocean Springs School District. Both chairing and serving on several review teams, Dr. Joachim has a wealth of experience with accreditation issues involving the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges (SACS).

“This is an exciting time for us on the Gulf Coast with great opportunities for growth,” Dr. Joachim said. “Educationally, Southern Miss definitely wants to be a pioneer rather than a follower.”

Along with increasing student enrollment on the coast, Dr. Joachim said other goals include expanding partnerships between the university and businesses in the southern part of the state.

“I’ll work hard to make sure as a dual campus we have a seamless operation in which students have the same curriculum and quality of education on all campuses,” she said.

Dr. Joachim received her doctorate in educational leadership in 1998 from Southern Miss. She also earned a master’s degree in administration and supervision at the Gulf Coast campus in 1993 and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1976 from Southern Miss.