The University of Southern Mississippi is a comprehensive doctoral and research-extensive university. Founded in 1910, its vision is to be a leading university in engaging and empowering individuals to transform lives and communities.

The primary mission of this Mississippi university is to cultivate intellectual development and creativity through the generation, dissemination, application, and preservation of knowledge. The general education curriculum, first-year experience, and honors college programs, as well as innovative programs in international education and service learning, underscore this Gulf Coast college's commitment to education.

The University of Southern Mississippi is committed to leading with academic excellence, conducting innovative research, providing cultural enrichment, conducting economic development, creating healthier communities, contributing to global communities, and educating the whole student.

Recognizing that students learn outside the classroom as well as within, the University of Southern Mississippi engages its students through abundant opportunities for community service, leadership, student activities, support services, and access to state-of-the-art facilities and programs. The caring, student-centered faculty and staff at this Gulf Coast college foster students' personal growth and development. This Mississippi university provides students with opportunities to live and learn abroad in preparation for leadership roles in an interdependent global society.

The University of Southern Mississippi serves nearly 16,000 students on the main campus in Hattiesburg, and at five teaching and research sites on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. In 2002, the University of Southern Mississippi added a second campus, Gulf Park, making the university the only comprehensive university in the state with dual-campus status. This Mississippi university is educating a 21st century workforce providing intellectual capital, cultural enrichment, and innovation to Mississippi and the world.