NEW ORLEANS – The Coast Guard announced a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Tougaloo College on Sept. 18, 2024, marking a significant step in expanding active duty recruitment efforts in Jackson, Mississippi.
The initiative was officially launched with a ceremonial agreement signed by Rear Adm. Zeita Merchant, the first African American female admiral in the Coast Guard and a distinguished Tougaloo alumna, and Dr. Josiah Sampson III, Tougaloo College Provost. This partnership aims to provide Tougaloo College students with unique opportunities for career advancement, leadership development, and pre-commissioning pathways into the Coast Guard.
This strategic partnership will host the College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative (CSPI), a program designed to attract and develop future leaders for the Coast Guard, while also creating new opportunities for students and the local community. The CSPI program is designed for high performing college sophomores and juniors who demonstrate academic and leadership excellence and desire to serve their country. The program is designed to help students chart their course through the power of education and service in the military, reduce student debt burden, achieve financial stability and health insurance while guaranteeing a job after graduation, according to the MOU.
As part of the agreement, full-time students who are qualified and selected for the program will receive up to two years of tuition, books, and fees paid, a competitive monthly salary, medical benefits, and a host of other benefits. The current stipend is $3,500 per month.
“The College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative is a strategic investment in our future, reflecting the Coast Guard’s unwavering commitment to building a workforce that mirrors the diversity, talent, and excellence of our nation," said Rear Adm. Merchant. “Through this partnership with Tougaloo College, we are opening doors to unparalleled opportunities—equipping students with the education and leadership tools to succeed and the values and vision to drive meaningful change. This initiative speaks to the power of collaboration, where service and scholarship intersect to cultivate the next generation of leaders who will shape the future of the Coast Guard and our country with distinction."
“This partnership is a testament to our commitment to developing leaders who are both socially responsible and equipped to address contemporary challenges,” said Dr. Donzell Lee, Tougaloo College President. “The MOU with the U.S. Coast Guard will provide our students with exceptional career opportunities while reinforcing our shared values of integrity and service.”
The new agreement reflects a shared vision for educational excellence and community impact, fostering a collaborative environment that benefits both students and the wider Jackson area. Through this initiative, the Coast Guard and Tougaloo College are paving the way for a brighter future, where academic achievement and career readiness are seamlessly integrated.
Along with the new partnership with Tougaloo College, this year also marked the first year for the new Coast Guard JROTC program at Clinton High School near Jackson. Students in the JROTC program will have the opportunity to learn more about the Coast Guard's mission, its role in safeguarding our nation's maritime interests, and the numerous career paths available within the organization.
For more information on the College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative visit www.gocoastguard.com/cspi.