Millsaps College has been awarded over half a million dollars to establish a new minor that will prepare students to address sustainability challenges in the Gulf South.
Beginning next fall, first-year students will have the opportunity to enroll in the private university’s Gulf Scholars Program. The program is made possible by a $525,000 grant from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and will combine “rigorous academics with hands-on experiences to tackle pressing environmental, health, energy, and infrastructure issues unique to the Gulf region,” according to an announcement.
The new minor will include three courses exploring sustainability through science, policy, and the humanities, as well as a two-course capstone sequence where students will work closely with a faculty mentor and community partners to design and implement a project.
“This grant allows Millsaps to deepen our commitment to preparing students for meaningful lives of leadership and serves,” said Stacy DeZutter, Millsaps professor of education and psychology and program co-lead. “Through this minor, students will gain the tools and experiences they need to make a real difference in the Gulf South.”
Students selected for the Gulf Scholars Program will receive:
- Scholarships of up to $5,000 per year for four years (for up to five students).
- Paid internships with community and regional partners focused on sustainability and resilience.
- Resources for completing a two-semester, community-based capstone project, applying classroom learning to real-world challenges.
- Personalized mentoring from Millsaps faculty throughout the program.
The Gulf Scholars grant will also support initiatives open to all students and the public with a series of public events and a learning series on sustainability and Gulf-related issues.
“The Gulf Scholars Program is about collaboration and creativity,” said Victoria Graham, chair of the government and politics department at Millsaps and program co-lead. “By connecting academic study with practical applications, we’re equipping students to envision and implement sustainable solutions for our communities.”
Millsaps joins five other institutions in the 2025 Gulf Scholars cohort: Alcorn State University, Louisiana Tech University, Texas Southern University, the University of Mississippi, and the University of South Florida.
The Gulf Scholars Program is a five-year, $12.7 million pilot initiative of the National Academies’ Gulf Research Program, which was established in 2013, to enhance the safety of offshore energy, protect the environment, and improve the well-being of Gulf region communities.
“The Gulf Scholars Program recognizes that addressing the Gulf’s complex challenges requires creativity and collaboration across every field of study,” said Karena Mothershed, program director for GRP’s Board on Gulf Education and Engagement. “By bridging classroom learning with real-world challenges, these exceptional institutions are helping to prepare a new generation of leaders who can integrate science, engineering, and the humanities to strengthen community health, resilience, and sustainability in the Gulf region.”
