Millsaps College has been awarded a $525,000 Gulf Scholars grant from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine to establish a new minor that will prepare students to address sustainability challenges in the Gulf South.
Beginning in Fall 2026, first-time, first-year students will have the opportunity to enroll in the Gulf Scholars Program at Millsaps, which combines rigorous academics with hands-on experiences to tackle pressing environmental, health, energy and infrastructure issues unique to the Gulf region. This program is as much an investment in the state of Mississippi as it is in our students.
The new minor includes three courses exploring sustainability through science, policy and the humanities, as well as a two-course capstone sequence where students work closely with a faculty mentor and community partners to design and implement a project.
The program will leverage Millsaps’ distinctive strengths in undergraduate research, community-engaged learning and personalized faculty mentoring. “This grant allows Millsaps to deepen our commitment to preparing students for meaningful lives of leadership and service,” said Stacy DeZutter, 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 scholarship will receive.
- Scholarships of up to $5000 per year for four years (for up to 5 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 on sustainability and Gulf-related issues.
- A nature-based learning series led by Dr. Jamie Harris, featuring outdoor activities that engage participants with the beauty and the challenges of our local natural world.
Victoria Gorham, chair of the government and politics department and program co-lead, added, “The Gulf Scholars Program is about collaboration and creativity. 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, University of Mississippi and University of South Florida.
“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.”
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.
Learn more about the Gulf Scholars Program at Millsaps and apply now at millsaps.edu/gulfscholars.