State demographers have forecasted the population on the Mississippi Gulf Coast to grow substantially (about 12 percent between today and 2020). The Board is preparing to meet the future educational needs of a growing Gulf Coast population.

In its June 2006 meeting, the Board of Trustees approved the initiation of securing 100 to 150 acres of land for the establishment of an additional campus to be run by the University of Southern Mississippi. The land should be:

Accessible - The additional Gulf Coast campus must be centrally located in one of the three coastal counties (Hancock, Harrison, Jackson), close to the I-10 corridor. The campus must be easily accessible to any Mississippi Gulf Coast resident who desires a higher education.

Visible - The additional Gulf Coast campus must serve as a visible reminder that education is the key to a brighter, more prosperous future.