Mississippi's public universities play a vital role in supporting the state's vision of strategic investment in its workforce and its mission to promote growth and the public good through individual advancement. Through a mission of education, research, and service, Mississippi public universities advance the state's economy and provide a positive return on investment.
With guidance from the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, the universities are responsive to state needs and are good stewards of taxpayer resources. The Board of Trustees provides consistent standards and policies that drive quality at all institutions.
Each of the eight public universities has a unique mission and provides services to meet the diverse educational needs of its students. All universities are committed to excellence in both undergraduate and graduate programs and to fostering a teaching and learning environment that enables all students to succeed. The Board of Trustees holds all universities accountable for performance using a consistent standard across the system.
The Board of Trustees encourages universities to provide academic programs that are of interest to students and that Mississippi employers need to grow and prosper. All programs are reviewed annually, and proposed new programs are evaluated to avoid unnecessary duplication. In the Academic Year 2023-2024, 18 academic programs were added, 14 academic programs were eliminated, and five academic programs were suspended. Additionally, three certificate programs were added, one certificate program was deleted, and one was suspended.
Ongoing board-directed initiatives, such as the energy efficiency task force and the property insurance collective purchase, have saved the system more than $200 million since 2008, translating to tuition rates substantially lower than similar institutions in other states. The Board has also exceeded the law's requirement to establish a robust internal audit program. The independent internal audit system helps maintain accountability for the stewardship of public funds across the system.
