Dr. Mark Everett Keenum

Dr. Keenum became Mississippi State's 19th president in January 2009, following a distinguished public service career. Under his leadership, the university has achieved unprecedented growth, reaching record enrollment of 23,150 students in Fall 2024.

Dr. Keenum has elevated Mississippi State's academic distinction significantly. The university earned a coveted Phi Beta Kappa chapter in 2018 after rigorous review—an honor granted to only 10 percent of U.S. colleges and universities. As a Carnegie Foundation R1-Very High Research Activity institution, Mississippi State ranks among the "Top 100" research universities nationally, with annual research expenditures exceeding $320 million.

The university's academic portfolio has expanded under his tenure with innovative degree programs including the Bachelor of Applied Science and new graduate offerings in data science, nursing, and education. A transformational $10 million expansion of Mitchell Memorial Library now houses the prestigious Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library and the Frank and Virginia Williams Collection of Lincolniana.

Dr. Keenum's fundraising leadership has been historic, securing over $1 billion in private support since 2010—including a record $100 million scholarship gift. The MSU Promise Program, which he expanded, provides crucial need-based assistance to Mississippi students. Scholarship support has grown to $247.4 million, with 75 percent growth in new endowed scholarships.

A Mississippi State alumnus with degrees in agricultural economics, Dr. Keenum previously served as Under Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and chief of staff to U.S. Senator Thad Cochran. He currently chairs the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research and has spoken at the United Nations about global food security.

Dr. Keenum has received the John Y. Simon Award of Merit from the Ulysses S. Grant Association and CASE's Chief Executive Leadership Award. He and his wife Rhonda have four children.