CHANCELLOR’S 3 THINGS TO KNOW
November has been a whirlwind at Mississippi’s flagship university. We welcomed renowned industry and government leaders and the SEC Nation television show to our campus, traveled across Texas to meet with prospective students during the inaugural Hotty Toddy Tour/Academic Roadshow, and enjoyed a visit with the youngest students on our campus — the preschoolers at our Willie Price Lab School. Here are three things to know right now:
- ENROLLMENT ON THE RISE. The official numbers are in: Our total enrollment grew 5.1% this year, and we welcomed our largest freshman class ever this fall! The numbers buck national trends, and we were the only university in the state to experience growth. Thanks to a community-wide commitment, these great proof points illustrate our success in recruiting, retaining, and — most importantly — supporting our students on their journey of self-discovery. The word is out that Ole Miss offers academic excellence, dynamic experiences, and value. See the special section below for more exciting details.
- WE HELP MISSISSIPPI COMPETE. More than 60 government and industry leaders gathered on our campus Nov. 8 for the second annual Mississippi Competes Vision Session, a conference focused on strengthening the state’s economic competitiveness. Bill Cook, venture partner at Columbia Capital, president of Cook Consulting LLC and an Ole Miss alum, pioneered the event to explore opportunities for the state’s advancement. We were grateful to be joined by U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson, state Sen. Nicole Boyd, and state Rep. Clay Deweese. Panelists included representatives from Black Sea Technologies, Butler Snow, Digital Infrastructure, Energize Colorado, Kodiak Robotics, Microsoft, Prysmian Group, Raytheon Technologies, Standvast, and TuSimple. We know this event sparked new ideas and opportunities while expressing our commitment to partner in Mississippi’s growth.
- FIRST-GEN STUDENTS MATTER. Our first-generation students took center stage during First-Generation College Week (Nov. 7-10), which coincided with the national First-Generation College Celebration. Events included a keynote from author Jennifer Morton, a panel discussion featuring students, staff, and faculty, and more. I’m so grateful for our StudentsFIRST program, which gives first-generation students the academic and social support needed to be successful. Our first-gen students bring an important dynamic to our classrooms with their life experiences, and they are to be commended for their pursuit of life-changing opportunities.
I hope you enjoy a wonderful and joyful Thanksgiving with your loved ones.
Glenn F. Boyce
Chancellor
FLAGSHIP FACTS
TOP STORIES
HOSPITAL HOME RUN
The Ole Miss baseball team brought its 2022 NCAA College World Series trophy for a show-and-tell session with patients at Children’s of Mississippi, the state’s only children’s hospital. Ole Miss players signed baseballs and posters, played charades, and drew pictures with patients at the hospital’s Rainbow Garden.
GROWING THE
TALENT POOL
The School of Business Administration ‘s Risk Management and Insurance program launched a new insurance certificate program to provide students who attend historically Black colleges and universities in Mississippi with training, networks, and experience in this growing industry. The new initiative, set to kick off in the Fall 2023 semester, is fueled by a partnership with industry and the Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers.
REACHING RECORDS
Ole Miss Athletics set a new department record with a Graduation Success Rate (GSR) of 88 percent in 2022, according to an NCAA report. Four Rebel teams posted a perfect 100 percent GSR including women’s golf, which has posted a perfect GSR for 14 consecutive years. Since 2004, Ole Miss’ GSR has risen from 69 percent to the current 88 percent.
Special Section
Enrollment on the Rise
In fall 2022, the University of Mississippi enrolled 22,967 students across its seven campuses, a 5.1% increase over fall 2021. The growth is powered in part by a 4,480-student freshman class — the largest in university history (and a noteworthy 22% increase over fall 2020). Here are three reasons behind this growth:
- SUPPORT FOR OUR STUDENTS: The retention rate for first-year students reached a record high of 89.3% — well above state and national averages. Our high retention rate shows that our student success programs are working as more students are staying and persisting, thanks to a supportive environment that keeps students on track.
- VALUE & QUALITY: U.S. News & World Report recognized the university in September as a “Best Value School,” which considers a school’s academic quality in relation to its cost of attendance. UM’s Office of Financial Aid disbursed $334 million in student aid over the 2021-22 academic year. Our Ole Miss Opportunity scholarship closes the financial gap for eligible students from lower-income Mississippi households, providing access to quality education for those students who have the greatest financial need.
- POPULAR, NEAR AND FAR: Ole Miss is a national university that attracts students from around the globe. Most Ole Miss students are from Mississippi (51%) and hail from all of the state’s 82 counties. Beyond Mississippi, the next four states driving enrollment are Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, and Illinois. The Ole Miss student body also draws from 90 countries. While providing a seat for every qualified Mississippian who wants to come to Oxford, our geographic diversity enriches the experience and enables our students to make friends from all over. With an abundance of choices, more students are choosing to experience the excitement of Ole Miss and live in America’s Best College Town.
