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FRONT L-R: Dr. Tina Tinney, Nunez Community College Chancellor, Dr. Casey Maugh Funderburk, USM Vice Provost for the Gulf Park campus, Dr. Chris Winstead, USM Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences BACK L-R: Katie Nettles, Nunez Interim Dean of Career and Technical Education, Tonia Loria, Nunez Vice-Chancellor of Academics, Dr. Diedra Minor, USM Director and Instructor, Applied Technology, Dr. Heather Annulis, USM Associate Director, School of Interdisciplinary Studies and Professional Development and Professor of Human Capital Development, Dr. Cyndi Gaudet, USM Interim Co-Director for USM’s School of Interdisciplinary Studies and Professional Development and Professor of Human Capital Development, Dr. Zikai Zhou, USM Assistant Visiting Professor, Industrial Engineering Technology/Logistics
Nunez Community College (NCC) and The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) have entered into an agreement that will establish a transferable pathway for NCC students to become eligible for direct admission into USM’s Applied Technology and Industrial Engineering Technology/Logistics programs.
NCC and USM officials took part in the signing ceremony on July 10, 2019 at the USM Gulf Park campus in Long Beach, Mississippi.
Through this agreement, Nunez career and technical education (CTE) students will have access to a pathway for successfully completing an Applied Technology Bachelor of Science degree or Industrial Engineering Technology/Logistics Bachelor of Science degree from USM.
“Partnerships such as the Nunez Community College partnership respond to local, state, and regional workforce demand. Both the Logistics and Applied Technology Bachelor of Science programs demonstrate close ties and partnerships with business and industry,” said Dr. Cyndi Huff Gaudet, Interim Co-Director for USM’s School of Interdisciplinary Studies and Professional Development and Professor of Human Capital Development.
The fully online programs at USM offer ease of access for NCC students seeking to complete a bachelor’s degree, regardless of their geographic location.
“The Applied Technology partnership promotes a ‘no-dead-end’ pathway for students completing community college technical programs. The Applied Technology BS degree program builds on students’ technology foundation learned from the community college and helps students advance their careers by integrating the communication, collaboration, change leadership, supervisor and project management skills required for today’s high-growth, high-demand workforce,” Gaudet said.
“The Industrial Engineering Technology/Logistics partnership with Nunez Community College ensures both institutions are proactively addressing challenges and opportunities to support the growth of the maritime economy across the Gulf Coast region,” Gaudet added.
USM is currently the only university in the world whose Logistics curriculum qualifies students to be awarded Demonstrated Senior Logistician (DSL) and Demonstrated Master Logistician (DML) designations through the International Society of Logistics (SOLE). According to SOLE, these designations “are provided based on continuous experience and professional development.”
Students in the Applied Technology and Industrial Engineering Technology/Logistics programs are typically non-traditional students who are employed full-time in their field, but need a four-year degree in order to seek upward mobility in their field or organization.
In these academic programs, students utilize career and technical education (CTE) skills learned as they obtain their bachelor’s degrees and apply their competencies in the workforce. And after obtaining a bachelor’s degree, graduates have the opportunity to earn higher credentials, leadership positions and greater economic success.
"We are thrilled to partner with The University of Southern Mississippi to offer an innovative pathway to a Bachelor's Degree in Applied Technology,” said Dr. Tina Tinney, Chancellor of Nunez Community College. “This unique articulation agreement between Nunez Community College and USM provides a seamless transfer for students who are interested in supervisory and management roles in CTE fields. Through flexible online coursework, students with an Associate's Degree in a CTE field can earn a Bachelor's Degree in Applied Technology or Industrial Engineering Technology within two years. This articulation agreement opens the door for bright, highly motivated students who want to experience all that our two institutions have to offer in academic quality, convenience, and preparation for career success."
Gaudet added, “Southern Miss looks forward to implementing a successful pathway for students completing either of these two degrees to support organizations with the human capital needed to compete in today’s global economy.”
For more information about the Applied Technology and Industrial Engineering Technology/Logistics programs at The University of Southern Mississippi, visit https://www.usm.edu/undergraduate-programs/applied-technology.php and https://www.usm.edu/undergraduate-programs/industrial-engineering-technology.php. To begin your journey at Nunez, visit www.nunez.edu.
About Nunez Community College
Nunez Community College is a student-centered institution that delivers relevant and innovative curriculum integrating the arts, sciences, and humanities leading to academic credentials and workforce opportunities. Nunez serves a vital role in the community by engaging with partners to support student success and personal growth. Nunez Community College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate degrees, certificates, and diplomas. Nunez is located at 3710 Paris Road, Chalmette, LA. For more information, visit www.nunez.edu.
About The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) is a comprehensive public research institution delivering transformative programs on campuses in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites in central and southern Mississippi, as well as online. Founded in 1910, USM is one of only 130 universities in the nation to earn the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education’s "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity” designation, and its robust research enterprise includes experts in ocean science and engineering, polymer science and engineering, and sport venue safety and security, among others. USM is also one of only 40 institutions in the nation accredited in theatre, art and design, dance and music. As an economic driver, USM generates an annual economic impact of more than $600 million across the state. USM welcomes a diverse student body of approximately 15,000, representing 71 countries, all 50 states, and every county in Mississippi. USM students have collected four Truman Scholarships and 36 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships, while also leading Mississippi with 24 Goldwater Scholarships, an honor that recognizes the next generation of great research scientists. Home to the Golden Eagles, USM competes in 17 Division I sports sponsored by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). For more information, visit usm.edu.
