Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) serves communities across Stone, Jackson, George, and Harrison counties, preparing students for careers in nursing and allied health professions.
As healthcare workforce shortages intensified across Mississippi following the COVID-19 pandemic, MGCCC recognized that increasing enrollment alone would not solve the problem. The college needed to ensure more students successfully completed their programs and entered the workforce.
Healthcare employers throughout the state faced rising vacancy and turnover rates, placing significant strain on hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare providers. At the same time, MGCCC identified a gap between strong student enrollment and program completion. While many students were entering nursing and allied health pathways, too few were progressing through graduation and into employment.
To address this challenge, MGCCC implemented evidence-based academic supports designed to improve student learning, retention, and completion. A key component of the initiative was the strategic placement of advanced 3D virtual dissection tables in classrooms and tutoring centers across multiple campuses. These tools provided students with immersive, hands-on learning experiences that strengthened their understanding of complex anatomical concepts and enhanced classroom instruction.
Faculty and staff received training to integrate the technology into coursework and tutoring services, creating a more engaging and supportive learning environment. As the project expanded, the technology became a central resource for both instruction and academic support, helping students build confidence and succeed in critical gateway courses.
The results have been significant. During the grant period, 909 students benefited from the enhanced instructional resources. Enrollment in the Associate Degree Nursing program increased from 544 to 562 students, while the number of graduates rose nearly 25 percent, from 181 to 226 completers. Student retention also improved, with fall-to-spring persistence increasing from 92.12 percent to 95.15 percent.
Academic performance saw measurable gains as well. Pass rates in anatomy and physiology I increased from approximately 83 percent to more than 92 percent following implementation of the new instructional tools. Several healthcare programs also reported growth in student completion, strengthening the pipeline of qualified professionals entering the workforce.
Beyond the numbers, the initiative has enhanced the educational experience for students and faculty alike. Students now have access to innovative learning technologies that support deeper understanding and academic success, while instructors are equipped with new tools to deliver engaging, hands-on instruction.