From the Desk of President Jerryl Briggs: Reflecting on a Remarkable 2024 at Mississippi Valley State University"

December 20, 2024

Dear MVSU Family,

As the year comes to a close, it is with immense gratitude and pride that I reflect on the achievements and milestones we have reached together in 2024. Mississippi Valley State University continues to embody its mantra, One Goal. One Team. One Valley. …In Motion!, and our enduring motto, Live for Service.

Mississippi Valley State University takes great pride in its significant enrollment growth over the past two years, reflecting its successful initiatives and commitment to student engagement. This sustained increase not only highlights the university’s appeal but also demonstrates its effectiveness in meeting the educational needs of the community.

Mississippi Valley State University proudly supports over 500 students through various scholarship programs, significantly easing the financial burden of attendance and making higher education more accessible to a diverse student body.

Our campus continues to evolve with several improvement projects :

·       $25.7M renovation of the Jacob Aron Student Union – continuing

·       $9M Academic Skills Building renovation – underway Spring 2025

·       $1.2M Refurbishment of Stewart Residence Hall – complete

·       $250K Campus Signage Replacement project – complete

·       $3M Campus Roofing projects – continuing

$4.5M Upgrades to Athletic Facilities

o   Stadium Turfing Project – complete

o   Jumbotron and Sound System Project – complete

o   Track Resurfacing Project – complete

o   Athletic Weightroom Remodeling – complete

o   Baseball and Softball Batting Pavilion – underway Spring 2025

 

These projects represent our investment in modernizing our facilities and enhancing the student experience at MVSU.

In 2024, our accreditation was reaffirmed by SACSCOC without recommendations—an extraordinary accomplishment that affirms our financial, academic, and operational stability.

Mississippi Valley State University has forged a partnership with the MVSU National Alumni Association, the Mississippi Department of Transportation, and the Leflore County Board of Supervisors to secure $1.2 million for the development of a walking path off-campus, enhancing community accessibility and promoting healthy lifestyles.

I was deeply honored to be appointed to the inaugural Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) HBCU-MSI Advisory Council, a recognition that brings national attention and federal opportunities to MVSU,  positioning us as a leader among HBCUs.

The SACSCOC Board continued accreditation resulting from a substantive change committee on-site review of our previously approved change pertaining to our Prison Education Partnership Program with Delta Correctional Facility and Bolivar County Regional Correctional Facility. MVSU is committed to providing leadership and educational opportunities to all members of the community, ensuring that everyone has access to resources that promote personal and professional growth.

This year also marked the introduction of our 2024-2029 Still in Motion: Celebrating 75 Years of Excellence Strategic Plan. With this roadmap, we are laying the foundation for continued growth, innovation, and service.

As we celebrate these accomplishments, let us also look forward to the exciting opportunities the future holds. Together, we will continue to build upon our legacy of excellence, unity, and service to our community and beyond.

Warm regards,
Dr. Jerryl Briggs, Sr.
President, Mississippi Valley State University