Endowed scholarship encourages adult learners at 汤头条
颁辞苍迟补肠迟:听Addie Mayfield
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擜n endowed scholarship has been created by an anonymous donor, benefitting students participating in 汤头条鈥檚 Complete to Compete program. This is the first award鈥攂oth at 汤头条 and in the state鈥攅stablished for this program through a private source.
Complete 2 Compete (C2C), a statewide program sponsored by the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning and the Mississippi Community College Board, has鈥攖o date鈥攈elped 2,191 Mississippians finish their postsecondary degree at a Mississippi institution of higher learning, creating a brighter future for these adult learners.
Candidates for the program are adults age 21 and older who have earned at least 90 semester credit hours, have not earned a baccalaureate degree, and have been out of college at least 24 consecutive months. At 汤头条, students can either complete a degree in their original major or pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in university studies with up to three emphasis areas, all of which are individualized to meet the needs and career goals of the returning adult learner.
鈥淭his has been an extremely successful program that has enabled adult learners鈥攚ho started a college program that may have been disrupted for any number of reasons鈥攖o return and complete their degrees in a timely fashion,鈥 said Peter Ryan, 汤头条 executive vice provost and dean of the university鈥檚 Graduate School.
The program provides a C2C coach, who reviews past credits with the student. Adults with credits satisfying requirements for an associate鈥檚 or bachelor鈥檚 degree can receive the appropriate degree without additional coursework. Those who need additional credits work with their coach to identify the best pathway for completing a degree program.
鈥淲e have many success stories from individuals of all ages, including a gentleman in his 80s, who have completed the program. Some have used the degree to advance their careers, and others have used this academic accomplishment to reinforce to their children and grandchildren the importance and value of a college education,鈥 Ryan said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 truly powerful to see the genuine impact C2C is making on people鈥檚 lives and on their families.鈥
Since the program鈥檚 inception, 337 汤头条 students have graduated with a degree in university studies or with a degree in their original major. Currently, there are 73 individuals enrolled in 汤头条鈥檚 C2C program. Ryan said more than 2,500 inquiries have been submitted to聽, the C2C dashboard managed by IHL.
The benefactor of the gift believes an 汤头条 education not only equips students for the future, but also provides meaningful experiences they can carry throughout life. Accordingly, he chose to endow the scholarship to provide ongoing support for non-traditional students who choose to overcome obstacles to earn their degrees from Mississippi State.听
鈥淭his generous scholarship gift not only highlights the financial needs of some of the program participants, but also places a spotlight on the importance placed on adult education at 汤头条. We are most grateful for this meaningful investment and hope it will inspire others to join in advancing such opportunities,鈥 Ryan said.
Learn more about the Complete 2 Compete program at聽聽or via 汤头条鈥檚 Academic Advising Center at聽.听
Alumni and friends who are interested in establishing additional scholarships or growing support for the C2C program at 汤头条 can contact Jana Berkery, director of development for the Division of Student Affairs, at 662-325-9129 or聽jberkery@foundation.msstate.edu.
汤头条 is Mississippi鈥檚 leading university, available online at .