HARRISON COUNTY, Mississippi (WLOX) – Construction is progressing on the $23 million STEM building for MGCCC’s Harrison County Campus.

Campus Vice President Erin Riggins says this is not only an investment in the campus infrastructure, but also in the students.

“These will be modernized labs. Some of our programs will be our IT technology programs. So those programs will run for two years and then they’ll be ready to go,” Riggins said. “They’ll have all the technology they need and the latest resources. And some of those will be our science programs. 70% of our population are still lateral entrants and they’re transferring to four-year institutions and many of them are in STEM.”

Riggins also says there are several scholarships available in the fall.

“Our IT programs are tuition-free and our live entertainment technology is also tuition-free and is operated out of our IMPAC facility,” she explained. “Many of our supply chain-related programs such as CDL for automotive, robotics and automation are free.”

Riggins has a scientific background and describes herself as something of a science geek. She is excited to see the new building take shape.

“And a new way to motivate students to go into those fields,” Riggins said. “There’s something special about coming to a place with new resources and new technology that spurs motivation and gets people to stay active in those fields. We’re motivating the future innovators.”

As for the completion timeline, they hope to be finished by summer or early fall of 2025.

Photojournalist: Michael Rodgers

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