About

The Economic Outlook Forum is an annual event where experts in areas of banking, finance, and academia discuss economic trends and forecasts for the upcoming year. Sponsored by The First, A National Banking Association. Find out more and register here!

The College of Business and Economic Development has a long history of producing outstanding graduates who go on to distinguish themselves in their career endeavors. Each year, the College of Business and Economic Development recognizes an outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year. Learn more about the Entrepreneur of the Year event. 

Each year, the College of Business and Economic Development recognizes an outstanding Boardman Alumni of the Year and Young Alumni of the Year for their professional achievements. This event is supported by the endowment of the late Joe Boardman Jr. Learn more about the Alumni of the Year event. 

The Golden Idea Pitch Competition is a "shark tank" style event that provides a platform for budding entrepreneurs to pitch their innovative products and services to established, professional entrepreneurs from the community. Find out more here! 

Experience Business Virtually is a video series that tackles all of the important topics young professionals need to know, from social media etiquette to professional travel. Subscribe to the Southern Miss Business YouTube channel to be notified when new videos are released! 

• Professional Travel Essentials [Experience Business Virtually Ep. 1]: Learn to travel professionally with Southern Miss Business. Today J.T. will teach you the basics of Professional Travel as part of our Experience Business Virtually series. Download the Business Travel Packing List!
• 5 Financial Tips For Business Students [Experience Business Virtually Ep. 2]: View the video to learn five financial tips every business student should know as part of our Experience Business Virtually series. Download the Financial Tips Flyer!
• How to Stay Professional on Social Media [Experience Business Virtually Ep. 3]: Meredith Moseley, a marketing intern for Southern Miss Business, gives some great tips on how to stay professional on your social media. She discusses what is appropriate and inappropriate to post on all of your social media platforms, and provides insight that will help you keep that professional look for your social brand. Download the Social Media Branding Flyer!
• Dining Etiquette Basics for Business Students [Experience Business Virtually Ep. 4]: Get to know Restauranteur and Author Robert St. John as he shares tips on dining etiquette basics for business students as part of our Experience Business Virtually series. Download the Dining Etiquette Flyer!

View and download the 2019-20 Research Impact Report. 
View and download the 2018-19 Research Impact Report. 

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Business Programs Rankings

#1 in the State & #51 in the Nation Best Online Bachelor’s in Business, U.S. News & World Report, 2022
#34 Best Online Bachelor's Degree in Business, Study.com, 2021
#39 Best Online Bachelor's in Business, U.S. News & World Report, 2021
#46 Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Administration, Academic Influence, 2021
#36 Best Online Bachelor's in Business Degree Programs, Learn.org, 2020
#1 Best Online Business School in Mississippi, SuccessfulStudent.org, 2019
#16 Most Affordable Online Colleges for Business for the Business program, OnlineU.org, 2019
#36 Best Online Business School in the nation, SuccessfulStudent.org, 2019
#36 Best Online Undergraduate Business School in the nation by College Consensus, 2019
#26 International Business Programs in the country, study.com, 2019
2017 - 2021 Listed in the Top Universities for Professional Sales Education in the U.S. in the Sales Education Foundation (SEF) Magazine

MBA Program Rankings

#169 Best Part-Time MBA Programs, U.S. News & World Report, 2023
#28 Best Online MBA Program, Fortune, 2022
#121 Best Online MBA Programs, U.S. News & World Report, 2022
#110-143 Best Business Schools (MBA), U.S. News & World Report, 2022
#206-273 Best Part-Time MBA Programs, U.S. News & World Report, 2022
#56 Best Online MBA Program, Fortune, 2021
#94 Best Online MBA Programs, U.S. News & World Report, 2021
#127 Best Full-Time MBA Programs, U.S. News & World Report, 2021
#213 Part-Time MBA Programs, U.S. News & World Report, 2021
#20 Best MBA Degree Programs Online, Learn.org, 2020
#23 Best No-GMAT Online MBA Programs, College Consensus, 2020
#74 Best Online MBA Programs, U.S. News & World Report, 2020
#1 Best Online MBA Program in Miss., College Consensus, 2019
#17 Best Online MBA Programs, Affordable Colleges Online, 2018-2019
#41 Best MBA Degree Programs Online, Best College Reviews, 2018

Sport Management Programs Rankings

#6 Top Online Sports Management Master's Degree Programs, OnlineMastersDegrees.org, 2022
#21 Online Master of Science in Sport Management, Intelligent.com, 2022
#17 Online Sport Management Program, Intelligent.com, 2022
#2 Best Online Master's Degree Programs in Sports Management, Best Accredited Colleges, 2021
#15 Best Online Master’s in Sports Management, Intelligent.com, 2021
#15 Best Online Master’s in Sports Management, Academic Influence, 2021
#11 Best Online Master's in Sports Management Program, Intelligent.com, 2021 
#7 Best Online Master of Science in Sport Management, Intelligent.com, 2020
#9 Best Online Master's in Sport Administration, Online Schools Report, 2020
#11 Overall Sport Management Program, Intelligent.com, 2020
#8 Best Master’s in Sport Management online by BestCollegeReviews.org, 2019 
#18 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Sport Management, OnlineU.org, 2019 
#16 Best Sport Management Programs in the country by TheBestSchools.org, 2018
#23 Best Sport Management Programs in the country by BestColleges.com, 2018

Human Capital Development Program Rankings

#1 Best Online Master's in Human Resources, OnlineMastersDegrees.org, 2022

Mission

Our purpose is to develop leaders who leverage an entrepreneurial mindset to create value and innovative business solutions. We ensure that all students have applied experiences that build the knowledge and develop the skills needed to succeed and lead in the global marketplace. We support economic development by advancing knowledge through influential scholarship and collaboration with our communities.

Vision

We will be a recognized leader in providing business educational experiences that inspire and empower business scholars and students to fearlessly lead on the national and international stage.

Organizational Values

• Authenticity: We stay true to who we are and always act with integrity.
• Unity: We respect others’ perspectives and work together to strengthen our community.
• Resiliency: We persevere by being relevant, tenacious, and adaptable.
• Passion: We nurture passion and inspire boldness.
• Resourcefulness: We foster curiosity, creative problem-solving, and forward thinking to meet challenges head-on.

Strategic Priorities

In the next five years, the College of Business & Economic Development will focus on:

• Becoming the business school of choice for experiential learning, real-world preparation, and entrepreneurial mindset.
• Expanding opportunities for community, industry, and global engagement.
• Fostering a culture and community of scholars characterized by excellent teaching, impactful teaching and research, collegiality, and considerate service to all stakeholders.
• Enhancing external relations and fundraising activities. 

Our graduate and undergraduate business and accounting programs are all accredited by AACSB International. Southern Miss offers the only on-campus AACSB-accredited business programs in South Mississippi.  

AACSB-accredited schools have the highest quality faculty, relevant and challenging curriculum, and provide educational and career opportunities that are not found at other business schools.

AACSB Accreditation represents the highest standard of achievement for business schools worldwide. Less than 5% of the world's 13,000 business programs have earned AACSB Accreditation. AACSB-accredited schools produce graduates that are highly skilled and more desirable to employers than other non-accredited schools.

AACSB-accredited schools... 

• are recognized worldwide by top employers and other universities. 
• have employers that only hire their graduates. 
• have more access to recruiters. 
• have graduates that receive higher, more competitive salaries. 
• say being accredited improves the quality of their business programs. 
• say being accredited helps them hire and retain the best professors and researchers. 
• have students that are more international and are likely to earn higher levels of education. 
• have students with high-graduating GPAs 
• are challenging and teach the best skills that give a distinct advantage in the real world.

• Understanding Accreditation
• Business Accreditation
• Accounting Accreditation
• Accreditation Standards
• Accredited Institutions

Dean's Executive Council

Dean's Advisory Council

College Personnel Committee

Chad Miller
Paul Beck
Joseph Peyrefitte
Melinda McLelland

Undergraduate Programs and Assessment Committee (UPAC)

Amber Cole
Wei Wang
Srinidhi Kanuri
Greg Bradley
Amy Yeend {ex officio}
Joel Bolton {ex officio}

Graduate Programs and Assessment Committee (GPAC)

Fujun Lai
Kimberly Goodwin
Marco Wolf
Chad Miller
Chris Croft
Amber Hatten

Scholarships and Awards Committee

View the Spring 2023 Organizational Chart

Thank you for your interest in Southern Miss Business. Discover more in previous Annual Reports.

Dr. Joseph A. Greene was the first Dean of the business program at The University of Southern Mississippi. Find out more about the legacy that he left here at the College of Business and Economic Development.