The academic experience for Black students at Mississippi State University continues to evolve through challenging views of educational access and race.
History shows the university’s problematic relationship with its Black student population—from the integration of the first Black student Richard Holmes in 1965; to the publishing of Blackface 40 years ago in its 1979 yearbook and again 33 years ago in its 1986 yearbook; to primarily Black MSU students protesting and petitioning the removal of the Confederate flag on campus in 2016.
Troubled History, Bright Future
pm“Our intent at Mississippi State is to not just talk about diversity and inclusion, but to live it,” MSU President Mark Keenum assured.
Today, MSU seems to reflect that intention since the university ranks as one of the most diverse SEC campuses. However, when comparing the university’s consecutive enrollment statistics, a concerning trend revealed itself.
In fall 2011, Black students represented 20% of the student population, compared to 11% in 1986. While enrollment rates have risen since 2011, Black students’ enrollment rates have steadily declined over the past four years.
Pictured is Dr. Richard Holmes on the MSU Drill Field in 2005 (left) and as a student in 1965 (right). Photo courtesy Megan Bean / Mississippi State University
From fall 2019 to fall 2020, the African American student body at MSU increased from 3,796 students to 4,032, but then decreased to 3,866 in 2021. Despite total enrollment numbers declining from 23,086 in fall 2021 to 22,649 in fall 2022, the Black student body population dropped to 3,575 students in 2022.
In response to this data, Vice President for Access, Diversity and Inclusion Ra’Sheda Forbes maintained a favorable view on MSU’s future.
“I think it is important to acknowledge the national trend of declining enrollment of Black students pursuing higher education which speaks to the need for more state and national policies to make college more affordable for underrepresented populations,” Forbes continued, “but Mississippi State is committed to its land-grant mission of access for students.”
To help fulfill this commitment, MSU’s Admissions and Scholarship team hosted a Jackson Public School junior preview day on March
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