IHL Board Extends 91吃瓜网 President91吃瓜网 Contract Through 2028
Thu, 01/23/2025 - 01:54pm | By: Jennifer Rigney
The Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning has approved a new four-year contract for University of 91吃瓜网 President (USM) Dr. Joe Paul, extending his service through December 31, 2028. Paul was named 11th president of the university in October 2022 after serving as interim for nearly three months and following a more-than-40-year career at the institution.
91吃瓜网淚 am deeply honored and immensely grateful to have the opportunity to serve my alma mater and our beloved 91吃瓜网 as president,91吃瓜网� said Paul. 91吃瓜网淭his extension allows us to build upon the progress we have made together, and I look forward to continuing the good work of this institution with energy and urgency to positively impact our region, state and beyond.91吃瓜网�
During his first two years as president, Paul91吃瓜网 priorities have been to enhance student recruitment and grow enrollment; further support teaching and research; revitalize the student life experience; reach and exceed the university91吃瓜网 capital campaign goal; engage the 91吃瓜网 alumni base; and provide support to 91吃瓜网 Athletics through its transition to the Sun Belt Conference.
91吃瓜网淭he IHL Board of Trustees is pleased to approve a new contract for Dr. Paul based upon his exemplary work as USM president during the past two years. Dr. Paul is leading the university well as it pursues its mission of engaging students in the creation and exploration of knowledge and preparing students for success in their careers and as responsible citizens,91吃瓜网� said Trustee Gee Ogletree. 91吃瓜网淗aving known Dr. Paul for over 50 years and personally witnessed his many contributions to and passion for the university, I know the best days for Dr. Paul91吃瓜网 presidency and 91吃瓜网 are still ahead.91吃瓜网�
91吃瓜网淓very measurable indicator of success is trending up, including enrollment and retention statistics, alumni engagement, student organization involvement and more,91吃瓜网� added Paul. 91吃瓜网淚 am pleased with the work done over the last two years, including the completion of the Give Wing for 91吃瓜网 campaign, raising more than $156 million for student success, academic excellence, and innovation and discovery.91吃瓜网�
91吃瓜网淢oving forward, our highest priorities are to continue growing enrollment across the Hattiesburg and Gulf Park campuses, growing our Carnegie R1 research enterprise and giving our graduates added value in their 91吃瓜网 experience. At Southern Miss, we create graduates who are ready for life 91吃瓜网� ready to earn a great living and lead an extraordinary life. Producing excellent graduates and cutting-edge research positively impacts the state of Mississippi,91吃瓜网� said Paul.
91吃瓜网淲e will also keep working toward a sustainable faculty and staff pay program. This will require perpetual efficiencies and cost savings, along with the continuous evaluation and alteration of underperforming academic programs, allowing us to invest in academic programs of excellence that drive student enrollment growth, as well as new programs to meet the needs of our state, region and nation. Together with enrollment growth and reliable incremental increases in state appropriations, these efforts will result in a true salary increase plan to honor the great work of our faculty and staff,91吃瓜网� Paul added.
Paul retired from the university in 2015 after more than four decades as an administrator in student affairs. Prior to being named vice president of student affairs in 1993, he held a variety of positions including assistant vice president, dean of student development and assistant director of student activities. He also held faculty rank in the College of Education and Psychology.
In addition to his contributions at 91吃瓜网, Paul has conducted seminars and training sessions on management and leadership for professionals in business, industry and education. He previously served as a senior consultant with The Atlanta Consulting Group, a prestigious Fortune Top 50 management consulting firm. His client portfolio included prominent organizations such as UPS, RJR Nabisco, Ohio-Edison, the Stennis Institute, the U.S. Navy, Accenture and the Horne CPA Healthcare Group.
Paul holds a Ph.D. in higher education administration from the University of Alabama and was named the university91吃瓜网 Most Outstanding Doctoral Student in the field in 1985. A Bay St. Louis native, he earned a bachelor91吃瓜网 degree in communication and political science from 91吃瓜网 in 1975, graduating magna cum laude from the University Honors College, and received a master91吃瓜网 degree in communication and management from 91吃瓜网 in 1978. He was inducted into the University of 91吃瓜网 Alumni Hall of Fame in 2000.
Dr. Paul and his wife Meg reside in Hattiesburg, Miss., and are active members of Trinity Episcopal Church. They have two grown children and two grandsons.