Contact: Chris Bryant
STARKVILLE, Miss.āĻć½¶Ö±²„ elevated its new branding campaign today [April 11] while also introducing Transforming MSU, a blueprint that boldly re-envisions the universityās role and impact in solving some of the worldās most critical challenges, including those close to home.
Ļć½¶Ö±²„President Mark E. Keenum and Provost and Executive Vice President David R. Shaw detailed the new blueprint for campus leaders during a morning celebration that emphasized the universityās newest tagline, āTaking Care of What Matters.āĀ Keenum said itās imperative leaders in higher education adapt to an ever-changing landscape.
āWe believe we must reimagine the role and impact of a national university in solving the worldās most critical challenges, starting in our own backyard,ā Keenum said, citing the new brand positionās purpose.
A collaborative development over the last two years, the new blueprint continues the universityās emphasis on students, the Ļć½¶Ö±²„president said.
āTaking care of what matters to the many diverse people and communities we serve has always been Ļć½¶Ö±²„ās mission,ā Keenum said. āOur students are at the heart of everything we do, and we are committed to preparing them and helping them as they grow into the future leaders our state and nation need.ā
The blueprint highlights how Ļć½¶Ö±²„must transform to continue equipping students for the challenges they face as they begin their careers and for those theyāll encounter mid- and late-career.
āWe must help our students thrive through innovative academic programs and memorable, hands-on experiences while ensuring a holistic focus on student well-being,ā Keenum said. āWe must prepare our students to compete successfully for the jobs of the future.ā
More than two dozen initiatives, with more to be added, are part of the new blueprint, including: implementing new courses focused on studentsā first-year experiences; emphasizing teaching excellence; increasing mentoring opportunities between alumni and students; increasing support of entrepreneurship and technology commercialization; and celebrating the real impact of MSUās research and outreach efforts in Mississippi and across the globe.
āStaff and faculty representatives on 17 task forces logged countless hours of hard work over the past two years to get us to this point,ā said Shaw, the Ļć½¶Ö±²„provost. He cited a āthrivingā student success initiative and a ārobustā first-year program for students as illustrations of the groupsā work.
MSUās planned Master of Science in Nursing degree program, which obtained initial Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning approval in February, is a prime example of how the university is simultaneously making a difference in the lives of its students and serving societal needs to counter the national nursing shortage. The program, under development at MSU-Meridian, will prepare college graduates who hold non-nursing degrees for initial registered nurse licensure and is the first of its kind in the state.
Ļć½¶Ö±²„translates knowledge into impact, Keenum said, and its world-class faculty and staff focus on critical research to confront local and global challenges head-on.
āThe connection between relevant, impactful university research and families in Mississippi, throughout the nation and the world is clear and undeniable,ā Keenum said. āWe are at the forefront of life-changing research and creative endeavors that are advancing our society.ā
Keenum said five new approaches (serving students with a holistic focus; strengthening bonds with alumni, friends and partners; igniting innovation through research and creativity; elevating the community; and telling the Ļć½¶Ö±²„story) will ground the transformation.
The Ļć½¶Ö±²„president cited the importance of alumni, fans, friends and partners in all aspects of the university and said Ļć½¶Ö±²„is exploring ānew and exciting ways to build upon these relationships.ā
For example, fan amenities are continually reviewed to enhance the gameday experience across the athletic spectrum, and that includes a robust facilities modernization initiative. As progress continues on current projects, such as the significant renovation and expansion of Humphrey Coliseum, future projects in the planning phase will ensure MSUās facilities are among the very best in the Southeastern Conference and the nation.
āWe are excited about our new athletic leadership, and we remain fully committed to supporting all of our student athletes with the resources and support they need to compete at the highest levels, excel in the classroom and earn their degree.ā
The blueprint addresses the need for Ļć½¶Ö±²„to elevate outside perceptions of the state and the university.
āWe will define a distinctive, ownable and relevant brand that clarifies the value we bring to our audiences,ā Keenum said. āAs we build awareness of our accomplishments, our experiences and the opportunities weāre creating for our students, it will aid our efforts to attract incredible people and talent essential to our transformation.ā
A new branding hub, an online portal enabling Ļć½¶Ö±²„communicators to efficiently share and discuss the production of external marketing materials, will aid in brand consistency, the Ļć½¶Ö±²„president said.
āWe have enjoyed incredible success and strong momentum for more than a decade,ā Keenum said. āBut much work remains to ensure we maintain this momentum.ā Ā
Ļć½¶Ö±²„ is taking care of what matters. Learn more at .