March 2009 Mississippi ACM Bulletin - Mississippi Board of Trustees ...

Mississippi ACM BulletinMarch 2009

Page 2Message from the Academic Common Market CoordinatorPearl Strickland Pennington, IHL Director of Student AffairsThe Academic Common Market (ACM) waslaunched to enable college students to pursue studiesin selected programs in other participating southernregional states and pay in-state tuition. Through thissharing of uncommon programs, thousands ofstudents have been able to pursue degrees that are notoffered by colleges and universities in their homestates. After more than 30 years, the ACM is stillproviding much needed access for students in thesoutheastern part of the country. In economicallychallenging times, the ACM provides a venue for the16 participating states to save thousands of dollars inhigher education costs through agreements among thestates and colleges and universities. It is crucial thatMississippi IHL Academic Common Market State Reportaccess to and success in postsecondaryeducation does notsuffer because of economicchallenges. The ACMcontinues to serve as anaffordable unwaveringconduit of access to qualitydegree programs forMississippians. After19 yearsas the state coordinator forMississippi, I am still stirredby the confirmatory comments from parents andstudents about the value and necessity of theAcademic Common Market program to Mississippi.IHL Convenes Academic Common MarketInstitutional Coordinator MeetingContinuing in its commitment to offer broad-basedaccess to higher education, the IHL Office ofAcademic and Student Affairs convened the firsteverAcademic Common Market (ACM)Institutional Coordinators' meeting on Tuesday,October 28. Seven of Mississippi's eight publicuniversities were represented at the meeting todiscuss the ACM program and to learn more abouta new website designed by the Southern RegionalEducation Board (SREB) to manage the programmore efficiently. Meeting attendees discussed thecurrent process of administering the ACMprogram, institutional participation, and theimportance of the institution in the ACM process.What is the ACM?The Academic Common Market is a tuition-savingsprogram especially for college students who live in the16 states that are members of the SREB. If you live inan SREB state, you may be able to enroll in an eligibledegree program offered in another SREB state — butpay in-state tuition rates. Joining the ACM can save youthousands of dollars over the course of your studies.More than 2,000 students participate in ACM programs.The next one could be you!Who qualifies?To qualify for the Academic Common Market, astudent must be a resident of an SREB memberstate and must be admitted unconditionally intoan out-of-state degree program that is listed inthe Academic Common Market inventory.More than 1,800 programs are available toeligible students at in-state tuition rates. For acomplete list of programs available to students,visit www.sreb.org.

Academic Common Market State Report Mississippi IHLPage 3April 2008 through March 2009

Page 4Mississippi IHL Academic Common Market State ReportACM Brings Students to Mississippi“So far, my experience hereat State has been great. I'vemade a ton of new friendsand am always finding newthings to do. The reason Ichose Aerospace Engineeringas my major was because ofmy strong interest in planesand piloting. If it was not forthe Academic CommonMarket my chances ofdeciding to go with that major and coming here toMSU was slim to none. I am very glad that thisprogram has been set up because it has given me theopportunity to follow my dreams.”—Ethan James DugarAerospace Engineering“A native of Nashville, TN, working toward dualdegree programs in Landscape Architecture andLandscape Contracting, I could not be more pleasedwith the three semesters I have attended at MississippiState. I feel that the Landscape Architecture andLandscape Contracting programs teach me valuableskills and present first-rate information which I willutilize in my career. While my courses are highlychallenging, they are presented in a way in whichlearning can be enjoyable. In addition to supplying anoutstanding education, I believe that Mississippi Stateprovides an environment that is conducive to personalgrowth for all students.”—Richard “Mark” PartenLandscape Architecture and Landscape ContractingTennessee“Thanks to the Academic Common Market program Iam one step closer to realizing my dream of workingin the aerospace engineering industry. This ispossible only through the Academic Common Marketallowing me to attend Mississippi State University bywaiving the out-of-state tuition fees. My experienceshere at MSU so far have been indescribable to saythe least. My career choice has been sealed throughmy time attending MSU. I am truly grateful for theopportunity to be a part of this program.”—Corey SturgisAerospace Engineering“Simply put, the Academic Common Market programis the sole reason I am able to pursue my desiredcourse of study. The prohibitive cost of non-residenttuition would make an aerospace engineering degreean unrealized dream for me, as my home state ofLouisiana does not host the major at any of itsuniversities. By an odd coincidence, my wife's chosenfield of broadcast meteorology is also unavailable inLouisiana. We were married before selecting ourmajors, and chose them believing we would beattending Louisiana State University. When faced withthe reality of the degree offerings at LSU, we wereboth discouraged and hesitant to invest the time andeffort in pursuing an 'alternate' degree. Thus, one canimagine our excitement upon learning of the AcademicCommon Market program, and thrilled to find both ofour programs at one school. Whatever happy chance offate brought us here, my wife and I could not be morepleased with our education and Mississippi StateUniversity in general. The experience has been verypositive, and provides the opportunity for personallysatisfying careers when we graduate.”—Mark DickeyAerospace EngineeringLouisiana

Academic Common Market State Report Mississippi IHLACM Brings Students to MississippiPage 5“The Recording Industry Program at MVSU providesme an opportunity to pursue my goal to become arecording musician. Now that I know about ACM,there is a positive feeling about helping recruit outof-statestudents to our program at MVSU.”—Jimmie Lee Jr.Recording Industry MajorIndianola, MS“I am attending MississippiValley State University fromthe state of Illinois and Idearly wish that my state hadreciprocity with the ACMprogram. Students whobenefit from ACM are veryfortunate. MVSU offers methe hands-on experience thatI need to grow as aRecording Industry major. Icould not have advanced in a timely fashion in alarger less caring environment. Financially, ACMwould have made my educational journey as afreshman much more rewarding.”—Joshua ShortRecording Industry MajorIllinois“The University of Southern Mississippi appreciatesand benefits greatly from the SREB AcademicCommon Market scholarships. These scholarshipsenable bright, talented students to attend theuniversity who would not otherwise be able to attend.Having students from Louisiana, Alabama,Tennessee, Florida, and Texas enriches the diversityof our student body. Our sports management programattracts the largest number of ACM students.”—Dr. Susan SiltanenACM Institutional Coordinatior“The Academic Common Market program hasallowed students in Alabama and Louisiana to studyin the academic area of Sport Management at theUniversity of Southern Mississippi. This programhas opened the door of opportunity for young menand women, some from Katrina-ravaged areas, todevelop business skills that will enable them topursue their dreams of a successful career in the sportindustry.”—Dr. Dennis PhillipsSport Management Program Coordinator

Page 6Mississippi IHL Academic Common Market State ReportSpotlight: Geologic“The ACM program has helped me in ways I could nothave imagined. It gave me a chance to have a realcollege experience. Without it I would have gone to asmaller school in GA and commuted from homeeveryday. Without the ACM I couldn't afford to come toschool at Ole Miss. It has given me a chance to get ahigher education in a major that will give me a bettercareer than I could have achieved without it.”—Will Virgo, Sr.Geological EngineeringGeorgia“The Academic Common Market has helped me bywaiving my out-of-state tuition cost to attend theUniversity of Mississippi. Because of this, I have beenable to pursue my major, forensic chemistry, withoutbeing burdened by the additional cost of out-of-statetuition.”—Sarah ClarkForensic ChemistryGeorgia“The Academic Common Market means everything tome, literally. Especially after I discovered it during themiddle of my freshman fall semester when my motherand I were wondering how I would be able to afford theUniversity of Mississippi. I am so relieved to have thistuition waiver and honored. I feel this program is ablessing, because it has made a way when there wasn'tone for me to get an education at the University ofMississippi.”—Crystal GomilliaForensic ChemistryGeorgia“The Academic Common Market program has benefitedme in numerous ways. I had always wanted to attend acollege out of state, and experience something differentoutside of my close network of friends. The problemwas out-of-state tuition. After doing much investigatingand research, my family and I discovered the AcademicCommon Market program at Ole Miss, the college I wasamazed by and had my heart set on. The requirementsof this program were that I declare Forensic Chemistryas my major, and in doing so I would have complete instatetuition. Not only has this program enabled myfamily to save money for my future education, it alsohas allowed me to attend a college that I love, while stillpursuing my dream of becoming a doctor.”—Elaine HoltzmanForensic ChemistryLouisiana“My name is Danielle Nodurft and I am currently asophomore at the University of Mississippi. My major isforensic chemistry, and I receive the AcademicCommon Market tuition assistance waiver. I amthankful everyday for this program. It is the only waythat I am able to afford the University of Mississippi.The ACM has opened my world to the fantasticpossibilities of my field as well as the exciting life of anout of state college student. My home state has nocolleges that offer a forensic chemistry program. Bybeing able to afford and attend the University ofMississippi, I can continue to pursue my goals anddreams of becoming a forensic pathologist. I know thatmy curriculum at the University of Mississippi willprepare me for the rigorous courses that are in myfuture. I relish the challenge and look forward tocontinuing my education. Thank you to the AcademicCommon Market.”—Danielle NodurftForensic ChemistryLouisiana

Academic Common Market State Report Mississippi IHLal Engineering & Forensic ChemistryPage 7“The Academic Common Market program hasbeen such a blessing in my life. It has helped meto pursue my dreams by allowing me to be able toafford to study my major which has been a muchneeded relief in these tough economic times. I amso thankful for the opportunity it has given me.”—Sarah Rodriguez-SawaoForensic ChemistryTennessee“The Academic Common Market program is ablessing to those students wishing to seek anavenue of higher learning outside of theirrespective states. I commend them for theirefforts to relieve some of the financial pressureattending an out of state school can bring upon acollege student. I attend the University ofMississippi and in May 2009, 4 years after firstreceiving the Academic Common Marketassistance, I will graduate with a Bachelor's ofScience Degree in Forensic Chemistry, anopportunity I would otherwise not have had in myhome state of Louisiana.”—Katherine SavoieForensic ChemistryLouisiana

Page 8ACM Brings Students to Mississippi“As a junior HealthcareAdministration major, I ampleased to say that theAcademic Common Markethas benefited me greatly. TheACM has made the cost ofmy attendance, here atJackson State, lessexpensive. I feel that if itwas not for the ACMintroducing such majors asHealthcare Administration, Meteorology, and manymore, I wouldn’t have been granted as manyopportunities as I have.”—LinCola HarrisHealth Administration MajorArkansas“Since the fall of 2004, Ihave been funded by theAcademic Common MarketGrant. The grant has helpedme a lot over the past fewyears with tuition and feesgoing up, especially the outof-statefees. I thank andappreciate everything thegrant has not only done forme, but other JSU students.”—Christopher M. LuckettMeteorology MajorTennesseeMississippi IHL Academic Common Market State ReportACM BenefitsMississippiStudents“The ACM has given meopportunities for continuedgraduate education. It hasallowed me to continue myquest for knowledge. I haveentered a field of studywhich I am very successfulin and truly enjoy. The ACMhas allowed me to expandmy experiences by living inanother state.”—Robert Farr III, Jackson, MSArchitecture Program, Georgia Institute of Technology“The financial assistance provided by the AcademicCommon Market has allowed me to continue myeducation and career goal of becoming a tax attorneywithout having to interrupt my education. Thanksagain for all that you do in helping with theAcademic Common Market. Please share myexperience at the annual ACM conference as just oneexample of a student who has greatly benefitted fromthis worthy program.”—David R. Lynch, Gulfport, MSLLM Taxation Program, Florida“With a lack of opportunity in the state of Mississippito pursue my educational goal, I applied inneighboring states and was accepted at the NurseAnesthesia program at the University of Tennessee atChattanooga. Part of the appeal of this program wasdue to the fact that the Academic Common Marketwas offered in order to offset a large portion of mycosts. At the time, I had no idea how this programwould tremendously ease the financial strain ofattending an out-of-state master's program. The ACMplayed a huge part in helping me with my educationalexpenses. Thank you for the amazing educationexperience that the ACM has helped me to pursue.”—Meredith Broome, Lucedale, MSNurse Anesthesia ProgramUniversity of Tennessee, Chattanooga

Academic Common Market State Report Mississippi IHLACM Brings Students to MississippiPage 9“Without the AcademicCommon Market, it wouldnot be possible to go toschool here. Out-of-statetuition is too high. I wouldnot be able to even buybooks. So, it takes theburden off of expenses.”—Ebony KnightCulinary Arts MajorTennessee“The ACM gives me anopportunity to come herewhere otherwise I would not,because I’m putting myselfthrough college.”—Laura FarrellCulinary Arts MajorKentucky“It’s the main reason I am here, because now it isaffordable for me to go to school out-of-state.”—Anna Michey MooneyCulinary Arts MajorAlabama“I think it is great, because it gives you anopportunity to venture out of your home state.”—Rachel DuFourCulinary Arts MajorKentucky

Page 10Mississippi IHL Academic Common Market State ReportACM Benefits Mississippi StudentsPictured (left to right) Dr. Martha Catlette, IHL director of Nursing Education, and Janette McCrory“I would like to take this opportunity to thank theMississippi Institutions of Higher Learning forapproving the Academic Common Market request forthe Doctor of Nursing Practice, Public HealthNursing option at the University of Tennessee HealthSciences Center in Memphis, Tennessee. The ACMhas afforded me the opportunity to work part-timeand complete the Doctor of Nursing Practice – PublicHealth (DNP-PHN) option program at the Universityof Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC), inMemphis, TN in two years. Without the availabilityof ACM, my ability to obtain this terminal degree inmy area of expertise would not have been possible.The reduced expense of not having to pay out-of -state tuition has allowed me to attend the programwithout additional student loans.”—Janette S. McCrory, MSN, RN, BCInstructor in NursingDelta State University

Under the leadership of the Board of Trustees, IHL governs the public universitiesin Mississippi, including Alcorn State University; Delta State University; JacksonState University; Mississippi State University including the Mississippi StateUniversity Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine; MississippiUniversity for Women; Mississippi Valley State University; the University ofMississippi including the University of Mississippi Medical Center; and theUniversity of Southern Mississippi.

SREB Academic Common Market“Meeting the Needs of Students”Mississippi Institutions of Higher LearningOffice of Academic and Student Affairs3825 Ridgewood RoadJackson, Mississippi 39211601.432.6501www.mississippi.eduThis document was compiled by the Office of Academic and Student Affairs at the Mississippi Institutionsof Higher Learning, March 2009. This document was edited and designed by the Office of MediaRelations, Communications and Marketing at the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning. Thisdocument uses data from the Southern Regional Education Board, Mississippi’s Public Universities,Academic Common Market participants and the IHL Office of Academic and Student Affairs.