USM Forms Partnership with Air Force Air University on Applied Technology Bachelor of Applied Science Program
Mon,
07/12/2021 - 10:24am | By: Van Arnold
Citing the opportunity to “open a new door” for future military-students, The University
of Southern Mississippi (USM) has entered into an academic partnership with the Air
Force’s Air University Associate to Baccalaureate (AU-ABC) program. The partnership
will benefit students enrolled in USM’s Bachelor of Applied Technology Bachelor of
Applied Science program.
USM has established a strong reputation for assisting military-students through its
Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families. The University is ranked
No. 3 nationally by the prestigious resource guide Military Times. USM is also rated No. 1 in the Southeast by Military Times in its “Best for Vets: Colleges 2021 Rankings.”
Veterans Center Director Jeff Hammond notes that the partnership is a culmination
of the collaboration between USM officials and Air Force educational administrators
that stretched over 24 months and included a rigorous application/vetting process.
Hammond says the partnership cannot be overestimated.
“It is extremely important. The honor of serving our service members and their families
is something we never take for granted,” said Hammond. This partnership is all about
duty: serving those who faithfully serve our nation and our continuing growth of the
USM military-connected program in reaching out in all directions to attract, support
and care for military-students.”
A total of 24 Air Force students were enrolled at USM for the Fall 2020 semester.
Hammond said the goal is to double that number in the foreseeable future. Through
the partnership, Air Force students can transfer their credits earned at the Associate’s
level toward programs to fulfill Baccalaureate requirements, many of which, including
the APT BAS, are 100 percent online.
USM’s Applied Technology Bachelor of Applied Science program was launched in 2007
as the first of its kind in Mississippi. Since that time, the program has continued
to experience healthy enrollment.
Dr. Heather Annulis, Vice-Provost at USM’s Gulf Park campus in Long Beach, explains
that the program is designed for working adults with demanding schedules and other
commitments, including active military service.
“Therefore, a personalized degree plan is constructed with an advisor to ensure scheduling
and relevance of the curriculum work in concert with previous transcripts, military
training experience, and other applicable certifications to warrant an exceptional
university experience,” said Annulis.
The program advances careers in:
- Organizational leadership
- Process improvements in organizations
- Technical project management
- Business administration
- Implementation of complex production processes (production managers)
- Leveraging information technology (support technicians, software engineers, IT system
administrators, cybersecurity professionals)
Hammond emphasizes that USM and the Veterans Center invests a significant degree of
outreach efforts in serving the active duty Air and Space forces; Air Force Reserve
and Air National Guard professionals serving in Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida and
Texas.
“In this regard, we are compelled to do more to support these wonderful service members
and their families,” he said. “We have the finest Air Force in the history of the
world and as the Top Military Friendly institution of higher learning across Mississippi
we daily assess where we can do more and how we might do better.”
Gloss