History

  • 1972 Meridian Campus of Mississippi State University was approved by the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL).
  • 1973 Division of Education began with three faculty members whose areas of expertise included early childhood, reading, curriculum and secondary social studies. Course offerings were supplemented by faculty from the Starkville campus.
  • 1974 Counselor Education was added to program offerings.
  • 1975 East Mississippi Center for Educational Development was started with the support of the Phil Hardin Foundation.
  • Early 1980s coordinators were named who supervised the Meridian faculty.
  • August 29, 1993, new Mississippi State University-Meridian facility was dedicated.
  • 1994-2001 partnership with Oakland Heights Elementary to provide teacher training and support.
  • Late 1990s faculty positions changed to tenure track.
  • 2012 Special Education degree program was added.
  • 2014 Kinesiology degree program was added.
  • 2019 Teacher Leadership emphasis was added to the Educational Leadership degree program.

With a tradition of excellence in the areas of teaching, research, and service, Mississippi State University’s Meridian Division of Education has a demonstrated record of distinction that spans over four decades. Formed in 1973 with a faculty of three whose areas of expertise included early childhood, reading, curriculum, and secondary social studies, the Division has since added a number of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, all of which are state and/or nationally accredited. Most recently, an emphasis in Teacher Leadership was added to the Educational Leadership graduate degree program. With our expansion of degree offerings, the Division is able to better serve our community, our state, and beyond.