IHL Board Extends Southern Miss President’s 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 Southern Mississippi 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.

“I am deeply honored and immensely grateful to have the opportunity to serve my alma mater and our beloved Southern Miss as president,” said Paul. “This 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.”

During his first two years as president, Paul’s priorities have been to enhance student recruitment and grow enrollment; further support teaching and research; revitalize the student life experience; reach and exceed the university’s capital campaign goal; engage the Southern Miss alumni base; and provide support to Southern Miss Athletics through its transition to the Sun Belt Conference.

“The 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,” said Trustee Gee Ogletree. “Having 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. Paul’s presidency and Southern Miss are still ahead.” 

“Every measurable indicator of success is trending up, including enrollment and retention statistics, alumni engagement, student organization involvement and more,” added Paul. “I am pleased with the work done over the last two years, including the completion of the Give Wing for Southern Miss campaign, raising more than $156 million for student success, academic excellence, and innovation and discovery.”

“Moving 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 Southern Miss experience. At Southern Miss, we create graduates who are ready for life – ready to earn a great living and lead an extraordinary life. Producing excellent graduates and cutting-edge research positively impacts the state of Mississippi,” said Paul.

“We 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,” 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 Southern Miss, 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 university’s Most Outstanding Doctoral Student in the field in 1985. A Bay St. Louis native, he earned a bachelor’s degree in communication and political science from Southern Miss in 1975, graduating magna cum laude from the University Honors College, and received a master’s degree in communication and management from Southern Miss in 1978. He was inducted into the University of Southern Mississippi 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.