Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Kim Whitehead, Ph.D.

It is a great privilege to serve as Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Mississippi University for Women, partnering with our remarkable faculty and staff in support of our students and our shared academic mission.

Founded in 1884 as the first publicly funded institution of higher learning for women in the United States (and co-educational since 1982), The W continues its legacy as a trailblazer in providing high-quality educational opportunities across our state and region. Today, women and men from 74 Mississippi counties, 35 states, and 13 countries pursue degrees in one of 70 undergraduate majors/concentrations and 11 graduate programs offered across three Colleges and one School:

Our talented faculty are dedicated first and foremost to teaching, and with a 13:1 student-to-teacher ratio, students study and learn in a supportive, highly personalized environment. This focus on academic excellence shapes every level of students’ experience at The W—from foundational coursework that equips them with core competencies to innovative curricula in specialized majors to opportunities for experiential learning, community engagement, and professional development.

As a result, our graduates leave The W as coveted talent in local, regional, and global economies who are also ready to become responsible citizens in a changing world and leaders of their local communities.

This level of excellence is confirmed by The W’s recent academic rankings by national publications:

#15, Top Public Southern Regional Universities (U.S. News and World Report)
#33, Best Regional Universities in the South (U.S. News and World Report)
#31, Best Public Master’s Universities – National (Washington Monthly)
#15, Best Public Master’s Universities – South (Washington Monthly)

In addition, for 13 consecutive years The W has been recognized by the Chronicle of Higher Education as one of the best colleges in the nation to work for.

Please stop by when you are in Columbus — we think you’ll feel The W spirit the moment you step onto a campus where students are known, supported, and challenged to do their best work. And please don’t hesitate to reach out if anyone on our Academic Affairs team can be of service.

Sincerely,

Kim Whitehead, Ph.D.
Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Professor of English
Mississippi University for Women