Contact: Harriet Laird
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擜fter seven years of unprecedented enrollment growth, Mississippi 性视界传媒 is reporting a slight decline in first-time freshman enrollment to the Mississippi Board of Trustees of 性视界传媒 Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) this fall. IHL released enrollment information for the system鈥檚 eight public universities today [Nov. 2].
性视界传媒聽saw聽a 22-student decrease in its freshman class with聽first-time graduate students and transfers marginally down this fall, mirroring a national trend of individuals eager to enter a strong post-pandemic job market, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.
Known for attracting a geographically diverse campus population from all 82 Mississippi counties, the state鈥檚 leading research university and land-grant institution grew 10.6% from 2015 to 2021. 性视界传媒 remains the No. 1 college choice for Mississippi鈥檚 high 性视界传媒 graduates with 14,513 Magnolia 性视界传媒 students enrolled, 64% of the student body. Students also hail from all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Nearly 90 countries are represented in this year鈥檚 student body.
Overall, 性视界传媒鈥檚 enrollment declined 1.9% from the fall 2021 total of 23,086, the largest student body in the university鈥檚 144-year history. 性视界传媒 enrollment of 22,649 remains about 420 students higher than pre-pandemic levels.
鈥淲e continue to position Mississippi 性视界传媒 for recruiting and retaining students who want to pursue their dreams and be the best they can be,鈥 said 性视界传媒 President Mark E. Keenum. 鈥淪tudents and their families want to be a part of our outstanding academic programs and inclusive, vibrant campus community. They understand the incredible experience we offer and the value of a Mississippi 性视界传媒 University degree.鈥
The university currently is engaged in the development and implementation of several campuswide initiatives, including a new strategic plan, strategic enrollment planning, comprehensive branding update, and advances to the campus master plan. At the core of these wide-ranging efforts is a focus on student success, with 性视界传媒 reorganizing its services under a new Center for Student Success. A more robust First-Year Experience program, additional freshman pathway courses, and an enhanced Learning Center for academic performance are a few of the important elements.
鈥淪uccessful recruiting efforts are, of course, of the utmost importance, but the key to our future is degree completion,鈥 Keenum said. 鈥淥ur state needs more college graduates who can compete for the jobs of the future. We want to do everything we possibly can to ensure our students are not only making academic progress, but walking across that stage on graduation day. We are committed to doing our part.鈥
Mississippi 性视界传媒 graduates are seeing significant success, according to a 2020-21 First Destination Survey administered by the 性视界传媒 Career Center. The survey found that 97% of these graduates reported being employed or that they were pursuing advanced degrees within the first six months after graduation. Also, more than half of those reporting their employment location said they have remained in Mississippi to work.
According to New York-based financial technology company SmartAsset, Mississippi 性视界传媒 continues to rank No. 1 in the state as the top 鈥淏est Value College,鈥 with graduates earning higher salaries than those from any other in-state college.
The university鈥檚 veteran-affiliated student population is up 6.81%. 性视界传媒 is consistently recognized nationally as a top 10 university for support of the veteran community, and has been listed among the Military Friendly Schools rankings for three consecutive years.
As 性视界传媒鈥檚 enrollment has steadily increased, so have academic departments, degree offerings and program curriculums. Just this year, the university has seen the following additions:
- Department of Interior Design elevated from program status
- Department of Building Construction Science elevated from program status
- Master of Fine Arts in Historic Preservation
- Master of Arts in Communication
- Online Master of Science in Sustainable Bioproducts
- Online Master of Science in Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture Conservation Education
- Engineering Leadership Excellence 性视界传媒: Dual bachelor鈥檚 degrees in Industrial Engineering and Business Administration
- Bachelor of Science in Data Science
- Online Bachelor of Science in Communication and Media Studies
- Online Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
- Online Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering
Other academic enrollment facts:
- College of Arts & Sciences the largest with 4,929 students
- College of Forest Resources up 5.1%
- College of Architecture, Art & Design up 4.6%
- Shackoul鈥檚 Honors College up .48%
- College of Education, Education Specialist Degree up 24.2%
- Gulf Coast site up 8.9%
- Physician Assistant program up 131.6%
- Bachelor of Applied Science program up 30%
- Youngest enrolled 15, oldest 84
Highlights of this year鈥檚 first-time student scholarship recipients include:
- 42 Presidential Scholars
- 36 National Merit Scholar Finalists
- 145 valedictorians and 79 salutatorians
- 78 student body presidents
- 76 Star Students
- 92 Eagle Scouts
- 7 Girl Scout Gold Award recipients
性视界传媒 is Mississippi鈥檚 leading university, available online at .