Just released by the School -
Dear Southern Miss Alumni,
I am pleased to share that The University of Southern Mississippi has received permission from the State Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees to move forward with the planning process for expanding strong academic programs in high-demand Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields to offer Bachelor of Science degrees in Computer Engineering and Ocean Engineering. In the coming months, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Steven R. Moser and College of Science and Technology Dean David T. Hayhurst will work closely with faculty and staff to develop and vet program plans before the IHL Board considers each program for implementation at its November board meeting.
Academic program development will remain a key component of our work to become the model for public higher education across the country. I am confident that these new programs will enhance our ability to meet critical business and education needs in south Mississippi, particularly along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The addition of these programs, which would be offered through existing academic departments, will also assist the University in maximizing resources to increase enrollment of high-achieving students.
Amid national dialogue about the demand for more graduates in STEM fields, industries in Mississippi have conveyed the need for more engineers. Much of Mississippi’s manufacturing and industrial growth is occurring along the Gulf Coast, more than two hundred miles away from existing engineering programs in the state. Governor Bryant has expressed significant interest in cultivating the state’s “Blue Economy” and accommodating increased maritime industry opportunities. As the IHL institution charged with the primary delivery of academic programs along the coast, USM will plan these programs with coastal students and business needs in mind.
Computer Engineering is in high demand in sectors such as cyber security, chemical processing, wireless communication, and healthcare. In south Mississippi, those sectors also include shipbuilding, manufacturing and farming industries, government, and military labs. Ocean Engineering is in high demand across Mississippi’s coastal counties, with specific needs in shipbuilding, maritime industry, oil and gas exploration, environmental monitoring, port operations, and Department of Defense and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration needs.
As the University plans for intentional expansion of these high-demand academic programs to meet specific needs of the state, we look forward to continuing to provide quality educational opportunities to the next generation of Mississippians who will live, work, and remain in the state of Mississippi.
Sincerely,
Rodney D. Bennett
President
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