Browsing: Education

This summer, 21 staff members took time off from their usual jobs at the University of Mississippi to dive into some personal passion projects.

They all had support from the Staff Creative Residency program, launched in 2022 by the Mississippi Lab with funding from the Office of the Provost. The program offers a $500 stipend and five days of paid creative time so recipients can complete a project of their choice.

The University of Southern Mississippi’s Pride of Mississippi Marching Band and the Dixie Darlings will kick off the 2025 football season with Pride Preview, set for 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22, at Southern Station behind the Thad Cochran Center on the Hattiesburg campus. The concert is free and open to the public.

The University of Southern Mississippi Symphony Orchestra–the oldest orchestral ensemble in Mississippi-proudly announces its 106th concert season, “American Perspectives,” exploring the vast variety of American music, from pioneering classics to bold modern voices.

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) has been awarded a $1.9 million grant from the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (S-STEM) program. The initiative aims to increase retention and graduation rates for high-achieving, underprivileged students pursuing STEM degrees that require Calculus I––a course that can be challenging for many students.

For the eighth consecutive year, the Institute for Disability Studies (IDS) at The University of Southern Mississippi hosted its annual Summer Enrichment Academy––focused on providing youth and young adult students with disabilities a summer employment learning experience through its Transition of Teens to Adult Life (ToTAL) program. The academy was held at both the Hattiesburg and Gulf Park campuses.

Taylor Garretson, a senior at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM), was crowned the 2025 Mississippi Miss Hospitality during the final night of competition held July 19 at the Historic Hattiesburg Saenger Theater. The Greene County native emerged at the top of a highly competitive field of 47 contestants from across the state, following a rigorous week of interviews, speeches and stage presentations.

Mississippi’s education ranking has climbed to 16th in the nation – the state’s highest ranking ever – according to the 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book released this summer. 

Move over, Muscadine Ripple—to make room on the freezer shelf for two new Mississippi State-borne ice cream flavors.

Blueberry and sweet potato plan to join MSU’s 11 other palette-pleasing ice cream flavors in 2026 at the MAFES Sales Store, also the home of famous MSU cheese.

The University of Southern Mississippi’s (USM) Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center (TCMAC) has launched the Marine Aquaculture Demonstration Initiative for Economic Development. The project is funded by Gov. Tate Reeves through the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA).

(Photo by Bryce Mitchell)

A new digital tool aims to make it easier for southeast Mississippi residents to stay informed, engaged and connected to what matters most in their communities.

Integer Technologies and the University of Southern Mississippi announce the Office of Naval Research has awarded their team a $25 million ceiling contract, with a fully funded initial base period of $4.3 million. The applied research contract supports the development of novel software to help the U.S. Navy maintain maritime dominance and increase its seabed warfare capabilities.

The University of Mississippi is looking to catch learning disabilities sooner and expand educational resources in north Mississippi through a new Early Learning and Evaluation Center.

Mississippi State University is in Money’s recently released list of the 2025 Best Colleges in America.

MSU is one of 732 four-year U.S. public and private nonprofit institutions making this year’s list after the national financial news outlet analyzed a pool of 2,400 schools.

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Center for Fisheries and Research Development (CFRD) and the Mississippi Aquarium are gearing up for Shark Weekend, set for Saturday July 26, and Sunday, July 27. CFRD has collaborated with the Aquarium on this fin-tastic event since the Aquarium opened five years ago.

The University of Southern Mississippi and Southern Miss Athletics announced today a series of improvements to game day operations ahead of the 2025 Golden Eagle Football season.