Pillars of Purpose: University Priorities

Collaboration has been the cornerstone of Mississippi University for Women's strategic plan, which serves as a roadmap to chart the university’s path forward for the next five years.

Last year, the university extended its five-year strategic plan for a sixth year and President Nora Miller convened the Strategic Planning Task Force co-chaired by Dr. Kimberly Dorsey and Melinda Lowe.

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A United Liberal Arts Voice

In 1986, college and university administrators from across the nation, alike in nature and mission, joined together to form what is now known as the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC). From Evergreen State College of Olympia, Washington, to the College of Charleston of Charleston, South Carolina, presidents and chancellors gathered in a living room to share their intentions, similarities and the desire to be more visible in a crowded landscape of prestigious universities.

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University Challenges Donors to 'Be the Light'

Mississippi University for Women has always been an institution defined by “firsts.” And in June, it added a new first to its legacy of historic leadership by announcing its “Be the Light” campaign, the first significant major gifts effort in The W’s history.

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A Summer of Enrichment

Debra Taylor values strong connections. As executive director of the Columbus Housing Authority, Taylor ensures low-income families have access to safe, decent and sanitary housing in an environment that fosters self-sufficiency and community pride.

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Building a Bridge: Low-residency MFA programs find synergy among artists

David Carter was positioned perfectly to see the model. Charged with implementing a theatre education program at Mississippi University for Women, Carter needed only to look at The W’s low-residency MFA in Creative Writing. He saw that program met the needs of students in Mississippi and the surrounding area and allowed them to keep their jobs or to stay near family to take care of other obligations while pursuing their degree.

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DEI Council Committed to Change

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion much more than catchwords at the Mississippi University for Women. Since the spring of 2020, The W has moved to formalize its efforts in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion. The creation of the Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Council has been an integral component of The W’s commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion on campus through increasing self-awareness and facilitating intercultural competence.

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Mise en Place

In May of 1996, the first and only bachelor of science degree program in culinary in the state of Mississippi was approved by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of High Learning. The Culinary Arts Institute at Mississippi University for Women was created and designed by a 14-person national advisory board that was chaired by alumna Vanessa Johnson (’79) who was head of the test kitchen at Southern Living magazine. Other notable members of the board included nationally televised chef Nathalie Duprie, John Bryan III of Bryan Foods and Proctor and Gamble consultant Marilyn Harris (’61). Viking Range Corporation assisted with igniting the program with a more than $40,000 donation for ranges, refrigerators, dishwashers, warming drawers and wok rings to the program.

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Outreach & Innovation: Collaborate. Create. Grow.

The uncertainty that comes with navigating a pandemic is frightening enough, and even more overwhelming for teachers who found themselves wanting to provide the best classroom experience for their students in the safest environment possible.

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