Mississippi State University is committed to inclusive excellence at all levels, which is reflected and integrated into multiple aspects of campus life, including academic, co-curricular, and administrative activities and initiatives. Mississippi State University is committed to cultivating a community and atmosphere of mutual respect and civility across multiple identities, where all students, faculty, and staff can succeed.
University Statement on Inclusive Excellence
Mississippi State University is a diverse community where every individual’s ideas, beliefs, and identities are appreciated, respected, and valued. We reject prejudice and discrimination and strongly believe that an inclusive campus environment contributes to critical thinking, intellectual engagement, and growth. Our commitment to diversity is a responsibility shared by every member of the MSU community. We commit to creating an environment that fosters continuous improvement in our understanding and implementation of initiatives that promote diversity, access, and inclusion.
President’s Statement on Diversity for Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion
At Mississippi State, we don’t just talk about inclusion and opportunity — we live it every day. We are proud to be the most diverse member of the Southeastern Conference, as well as one of the most diverse public land-grants in the nation.
We enroll many students of different races, religions, countries and economic backgrounds — including more than 4,000 African American students this past year — and have an overall minority enrollment of 25 percent. Nearly 800 international students from almost 90 counties were enrolled in 2016-17.
We also promote the transition of students with intellectual disabilities into higher education through our ACCESS Program.
Our MSU Promise Program focuses on helping Mississippi’s most economically disadvantaged students with academic as well as financial support.
We continue to expand our very successful programs to support veterans and their families, and last fall we opened Nusz Hall — the new home for the Sonny Montgomery Center for America’s Veterans.
And our campus Safe Zone organization has now provided training to hundreds of faculty, staff and students who are helping to make our campus more welcoming for LGBTQ+ members of our university family.
I believe it is particularly important that our colleges and universities — where the leaders of the future are developing today — be at the forefront in enhancing diversity, inclusion and opportunity for all. This message is very important to me personally and as president of this wonderful university. It is a message I will continue to share, and together with you, will continue to work to achieve.
Mark E. Keenum
President
