MSU, ECCC sign agreement to expand access to culinology degrees
Contact: Vanessa Beeson
STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State and East Central Community College in Decatur are partnering to create a seamless transfer pathway for culinary arts students to pursue a bachelor’s degree in culinology at the university.
MSU President Mark E. Keenum and ECCC President Brent Gregory signed a memorandum of understanding today [Aug. 18], giving transfer students the opportunity to earn this degree in a field with 100% job placement.
“Our university is widely recognized for the innovative degree programs we provide and the collaborative culture we have. This agreement is the perfect example of how we’re working with our partners to give students access to a high-quality academic experience with our world-class faculty and earn a degree that leads to successful and rewarding career opportunities,” Keenum said. “It’s an honor to work with Dr. Gregory and his team at East Central to offer this new pathway to their students.”
Reed Family Endowed Professor Wes Schilling, who also directs the university’s new Food Science Innovation Hub, said the agreement allows community college graduates to continue their education at the university level.
“The culinology degree blends culinary arts and food science. By partnering with community colleges like ECCC, we’re increasing access and creating pathways for students to merge their culinary passion with food science—preparing them to work seamlessly with both chefs and food scientists,” Schilling said.
He noted that the Food Science Innovation Hub plays a key role in providing students with hands-on industry experience.
“Students will have opportunities to work directly with industry when companies bring projects to Mississippi State. They’ll gain real-world experience troubleshooting, solving problems and determining which ingredients work best in different applications. MSU’s Food Science Innovation Hub gives them a place to practice the same skills they’ll use in their careers,” he said.
In addition to ECCC, MSU holds similar agreements with Coahoma, Copiah-Lincoln, Hinds, Holmes, Mississippi Delta, Mississippi Gulf Coast and Northeast Mississippi community colleges, and Jones College. The university’s traditional four-year culinology degree is offered in partnership with the Mississippi University for Women.
For more on the culinology major within the food science program in MSU’s Department of Biochemistry, Nutrition and Health Promotion, visit www.bchnhp.msstate.edu/students/culinology.php.
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