New Coastal Pathways Scholarship Opens Doors for PRCC Graduates at Southern Miss

Wed, 07/23/2025 - 10:59am | By: Jennifer Rigney

As part of a broader initiative to strengthen educational access and workforce development along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) and Pearl River Community College (PRCC) held a joint press conference today at the University’s Gulf Park campus in Long Beach, Miss., to unveil the Coastal Pathways Scholarship—a collaborative effort designed to create a clear and affordable route for PRCC graduates to complete their bachelor’s degrees at Southern Miss.

This announcement follows a similar event held in May with Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, reinforcing the University’s commitment to expanding degree pathways and meeting regional needs through strategic partnerships with community colleges.

“This scholarship pathway represents more than just financial support—it’s about creating opportunities for student success,” said Southern Miss President Dr. Joe Paul. “By partnering with Pearl River Community College, we’re building a direct and affordable route for students to continue their education and make meaningful contributions to our coastal communities.”

The scholarship offers $5,000 annually to qualified transfer students from PRCC and is renewable with continued eligibility. To qualify, students must:

• Have most recently attended PRCC with enrollment since 2023
• Earn an associate degree from PRCC or have completed at least 60 credit hours with a minimum transfer cumulative GPA of 2.5
• Declare one of the following majors at Southern Miss Gulf Park:
• Biological Sciences
• Business Administration (General Business)
• Elementary Education
• Marine Biology
• Marine Science (Hydrography)
• Ocean Engineering
• Organizational Leadership
• Psychology
• Secondary Education

Students must also enroll in at least 15 credit hours per semester, including a minimum of nine credit hours of face-to-face instruction on the Gulf Park campus, and maintain a 2.5 GPA to remain eligible.

"We are incredibly grateful to The University of Southern Mississippi for their generous scholarship opportunities extended to our Pearl River Community College students,” said PRCC President Dr. Adam Breerwood. “These pathways not only open doors for individual students but also have a significant economic impact on our coastal communities. By investing in education, we are cultivating a skilled workforce that can contribute to local businesses and stimulate growth in various sectors. As we work together to enhance educational opportunities, we are building a stronger, more resilient economy for the entire Gulf Coast region, ensuring that our communities thrive for generations to come.”

For more information on eligibility and the application process, prospective students are encouraged to visit the Gulf Park Coastal Pathways Scholarship website.

About Pearl River Community College
Pearl River Community College has proudly served the community by dedicating itself to empowering the local workforce since its inception as Mississippi’s first public two-year institution of higher learning. Since offering its first classes in 1909, our uniquely talented and dedicated faculty and staff have embraced the responsibility of providing life changing opportunities for those we serve. For generations, we have been transforming the lives of students and our surrounding communities by providing a high-quality, affordable education. This unwavering commitment to excellence has propelled Pearl River Community College to become one of the most successful community colleges in the nation. Steeped in tradition, the College has remained focused on providing a culture of academic, social, moral and ethical development of our students. The College's comprehensive approach to education has provided the foundation for students from all walks of life, often resulting in world renowned leaders in a variety of career fields. The success of our graduates has served as a testament to the strength of our College's mission. Pearl River Community College blends our rich traditions with state-of-the-art facilities and timeless curriculums. We are honored to welcome you to our beloved institution and encourage you to embrace our fundamental philosophy during your time on our campus: Pride, Respect, Class and Character…The Wildcat Way.