The University of Southern Mississippi will be a leading university in engaging and empowering individuals to transform lives and communities.

The University of Southern Mississippi is a comprehensive research extensive university. Our primary mission is to cultivate intellectual development and creativity through the generation, dissemination, application, and preservation of knowledge.

Our mission is supported by the values that have been formed through the history and traditions of our institution. These values are widely and deeply held beliefs of our faculty, staff, students, and administrators:

• Education provides opportunities to improve the quality of intellectual, social, economic, and personal well-being. These opportunities should be available to all who are willing and able to meet our standards of excellence.
• Our success is reflected by the degree to which our students become well-read, articulate, and creative and critical thinkers. It is measured by their display of specialized knowledge and abilities suitable to the pursuit of a career and life in our complex, ever-changing world.
• We cherish innovation in the creation and application of basic and applied research findings, creative and artistic expression, meaningful learning experiences, the scope of services provided to our students and the broader community that we sustain, and the continuing evolution of degree programs that both respond to and anticipate the evolving demands of our society, employers, and the labor market.
• Education encourages and advances the ideals of a pluralistic democratic society: civic responsibility, integrity, diversity, and ethical behavior.
• Academic freedom and shared governance are long-established and living principles at the university. We cherish the free exchange of ideas, diversity of thought, joint decision making, and individuals’ assumption of responsibility.
• We make efficient and effective use of our resources, for we are accountable to our university communities, the Board of Trustees, and taxpayers.

Educating Our Students
The University of Southern Mississippi will maintain its leadership in pedagogy and instruction. The General Education Curriculum, First Year Experience, and Honors College programs, as well as innovative programs in international education and service learning, underscore the institution’s commitment to education.

Educating the Whole Student
Recognizing that students learn outside the classroom as well as within, The University of Southern Mississippi will fulfill its commitment to developing the potential of its students. The university engages its students through abundant opportunities for community service, leadership, student activities, support services, access to state-of-the-art facilities, and programs. A caring, student-centered faculty and staff foster students’ personal growth and development. Acknowledging the mutual benefit of maintaining close ties with graduates, the university is also committed to creating opportunities for alumni involvement in university activities.

Leading in Academic Excellence
The University of Southern Mississippi is committed to quality in all academic areas. The university will maintain its leadership position in selected programs in science, technology, arts, humanities, health, education, psychology, and business and will continue to be innovative in the development of programs.

Conducting Innovative Research
As a comprehensive research institution, The University of Southern Mississippi will pursue groundbreaking scholarship, creative activity, and research in science, technology, arts, humanities, education, health, psychology, and business. Distinguished faculty and staff will utilize research and scholarship opportunities to fortify the education of undergraduate and graduate students and implement service initiatives in the university, in the community, and in their academic disciplines as they push the boundaries of knowledge and discovery.

Creating Healthier Communities
The University of Southern Mississippi will contribute to the health and well-being of individuals, families, organizations, and communities through continued innovation in applied research, community partnerships, and experiential learning.

Leading in Economic Development
The University of Southern Mississippi will continue its initiatives in economic development and entrepreneurship. These initiatives include education and providing intellectual capital to augment economic opportunities.

Enriching the Cultural Environment
The University of Southern Mississippi will provide opportunities for the community to experience a variety of cultural activities. Regular events, performances, exhibits, and presentations provide the campuses and surrounding regions with exposure to talented students, faculty, and renowned athletes, artists, and scholars. The university continues to serve as a primary provider of athletic, artistic, and cultural events and education.

Creating Global Communities
The University of Southern Mississippi will continue to provide students with opportunities to live and learn abroad in preparation for leadership roles in an interdependent global society.

Recommended by the University Planning Committee
Adopted by Executive Cabinet - April 7, 2005
Approved by IHL Board of Trustees – June 16, 2005