University Communications

The Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning has approved a new four-year contract for Southern Miss President Dr. Joe Paul, extending his tenure through December 31, 2028. Paul, who was appointed as USM’s 11th president in October 2022 after serving as interim president for nearly three months, has 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,” Paul said. “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.”
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.
Since assuming the role of president, Paul has focused on several key initiatives, including enhancing student recruitment and enrollment growth, supporting teaching and research efforts, revitalizing student life, surpassing the university's capital campaign goal, engaging alumni, and bolstering 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.”
News of Paul’s extension brought excitement to the Southern Miss Community.
“I was really excited when his contract was extended,” said USM student Natalie Deer. “Campus is a better place, and student involvement has grown. He knows what it means to have pride in Southern Miss.”
Chase Brown, a sophomore Construction Engineering major also had positive thoughts about Dr. Paul’s extension.
“He has done a great job since he was hired, and it doesn’t make sense to me to let someone go when they do what he’s done,” Brown said.
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.