Forbes names MSU top 10 'Best-In-State' employer
Mississippi State is being recognized by one of the nation’s top business magazines in its inaugural list of America’s Best-In-State Employers.
The announcement from Forbes said the university’s inclusion in the top 10 in Mississippi “reinforces your reputation as an employer of high quality.”
Forbes’ list was compiled through an independent survey of more than 80,000 U.S. employees working for employers with at least 500 people in their domestic operations. Employees rated their willingness to recommend their own employer to friends and family, while also evaluating other places of work in their respective industries.
Mississippi’s leading university is a Carnegie Foundation R1 “Very High Research Activity” and a National Science Foundation “Top 100” research institution. MSU’s research expenditures of nearly $241 million in fiscal year 2017 accounted for more than half of the state’s total of $477 million in R&D expenditures.
With eight academic colleges, along with the Judy and Bobby Shackouls Honors College, the university has a long history of recruiting top researchers in such fields as engineering, agriculture, arts and sciences, business, veterinary medicine, and more. The university’s academic success has led to expansion not only in student enrollment, but in new construction.
The new $34 million Richard A. Rula Civil and Environmental Engineering Complex is on track for completion in about a year. A new Meat Science and Muscle Biology Laboratory opened last year, and work is moving forward on a new $16.5 million Animal and Dairy Science Building and a $12.5 million Poultry Science Building. Planning is also underway for several other new projects, including a Kinesiology Building, a Music Building, and a Center for Student Support and Autism Services.
Its commitment to creative discovery by faculty researchers, as well as undergraduate and graduate students, has led MSU to even greater heights, with the Chronicle of Higher Education selecting the university as a “Great College to Work For” for the past three consecutive years.
Last fall, Mississippi State faculty who are members of the prestigious academic honor society Phi Beta Kappa, were granted a charter to shelter a chapter on campus. Ten percent of MSU’s full-time faculty teaching in the liberal arts and sciences are Phi Beta Kappa members.
MSU also is a “Military Friendly” and “Military Spouse Friendly” school, as designated by Victory Media, recognizing the institution’s welcoming environment to veterans and their families. Moreover, MSU stands as a “Purple Heart University,” as awarded by the Military Order of the Purple Heart for outstanding service to veterans, service members, dependents and survivors.
One of the most well-respected business publications with more than 6 million readers, Forbes magazine is known worldwide for its yearly lists and rankings. The Forbes global media, branding and technology company focuses on news and information about such topics as investing, entrepreneurship, leadership and technology.
MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.
Harriet Laird | Public Affairs
