About

About Us

From the Executive Director

Welcome to Housing & Residence Life at Mississippi State University where we make State home for thousands of students.

Within Housing and Residence Life, you will find students and staff who are dedicated to the well-being of our residents while living in one of our 15 residence halls or College View apartments, housing over 5,300 students. The live-in staff members are educators who actualize the vision of a residential community where our students explore their personal responsibilities, live in inclusive communities, and invest in becoming global citizens.

In conjunction with the Mississippi State mission, our goals center on creating and fostering an environment for students and staff to experience conducive to living, learning, and growing. Transformational experiences are at the heart of our organizational model. Students who live on campus are more likely to interact with professors and staff outside of class, attend cultural events, seek employment on campus, and participate in clubs and organizations. By getting involved, students develop their unique identity with the larger university community, quickly develop social networks, and find opportunities for intellectual, spiritual, physical, and occupational growth. Being a part of the Bulldog family provides many opportunities for individuals personally and professionally.

Every position in our organization works one on one with students. We empathize with students, assist them in solving their problems, aid them in critically thinking through the decisions and choices they make, and hold them accountable for their actions. We also invest in our students to allow them to explore their values and how they contribute to the community around them. We have leadership opportunities that challenge our students to stretch their minds and allow them to financially contribute to their education.

We hope that as our students leave living on campus, they are better prepared for independent living, contributing to the overall goal of student success and ultimately graduation.

Hail State!

Dei Allard, Ed.D.


Mission, Vision, & Goals

Mission

In support of the mission of Mississippi State University and the Division of Student Affairs, the Department of Housing and Residence Life cultivates an on-campus environment that promotes student success, engages students through intentional interactions, and challenges them to learn and grow beyond the classroom.

Vision

To create a “home away from home” where students are individually and collectively challenged and supported in the journey to become mature, contributing citizens in a global community. 

Goals

  • Our residents will live in state-of-the-art facilities/highly sought after and be well in their MSU home.

    • Housing Consultant established and next steps determined to begin the new organization master and strategic plans
    • Update residential housing plan to align with today’s college student needs
    • Responsibly invest in updates and renovations of remaining long-term residence halls
  • Students will live, learn and grow to create a sense of belonging and authorship in their residential experience for themselves, the community, and the greater society.

    • Thorough implementation of the Residential Curriculum 2.0 to engage students focused on personal responsibilities, inclusive residential communities, and global citizenship
    • Wellness-focused engagement with students
  • HRL staff team members will embrace and exhibit integrity, excellence, leadership characteristics, and professionalism in their roles.

    • Staff culture shift focused on staff expectations and #OneTeam concept
    • Professional development and growth in their roles and advancement possibilities
    • Determine and implement recognition and appreciation strategies across HRL professionals
  • HRL will be a leader and partner within the MSU community and beyond.

    • Partnerships with DSA
    • MSU partnerships
    • Community partnerships