The Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees approved the revival of the Adult Degree Completion program, now called Complete 2 Compete, in January. The program, which aims to help adults who have completed some college courses but have not earned a degree, will operate under a decentralized model with each of the state’s eight public universities developing its own curriculum and recruitment efforts, according to IHL.
The initiative will allow adults who complete the program to earn a bachelor’s degree. The revival comes as Mississippi lawmakers and colleges seek ways to boost the number of residents with degrees or credentials before entering the workforce. Currently, about 12% of Mississippi residents have some college experience but no degree, according to IHL.
Complete 2 Compete initially launched in 2017 as a partnership between IHL, the state’s community college board, and other organizations. It targeted adults who had been out of college for at least two years or had earned at least 90 credit hours. The program provided career coaching and financial assistance, including grants of up to $1,000 per semester, to help cover tuition, supplies, and student debt, IHL said.
The program received $3.5 million in initial funding from state agencies and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The foundation continued funding until 2023, after which community colleges withdrew from the program, leaving only public universities involved, said IHL spokesperson John Sewell.
Experts emphasize that online classes are a key component of the program, helping adults balance education with other responsibilities. Lisa Rieger, at the University of Southern Mississippi, noted that returning students face challenges such as navigating technological systems and academic policies. She added that earning a degree is often a source of personal pride and can open new career pathways.
Higher education advocates, including Josh Wyner of the Aspen Institute, stress that not all degrees hold equal value. A 2024 report indicates that more than half of recent bachelor’s degree holders are underemployed a year after graduation, and nearly half remain underemployed after a decade. Wyner emphasized the importance of aligning degrees with labor market needs to ensure graduates can earn a living wage.
He noted successful programs help students select courses that match potential job opportunities, increasing the value of their degrees. The revival of Complete 2 Compete aims to support these efforts by making it easier for adults to complete their degrees and improve their career prospects.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
