Contact: Marianne Todd
MERIDIAN, Miss.—Healthcare in the Magnolia State gains 35 advanced professionals today [Aug. 6] with the graduation of Mississippi State’s second Master of Science in Nursing cohort.
The MSN pinning and graduation ceremony at the MSU-Meridian Riley Campus celebrated the culmination of the rigorous 12-month, direct-entry program for the group, bringing the total number of nursing graduates from MSU’s program to 69. The MSU School of Nursing was granted national accreditation last year following review by the Collegiate Nursing Education board of commissioners, and its inaugural MSN cohort of 34 graduated in August 2025.
MSU President Mark E. Keenum commended the MSU-Meridian students and their families for their dedication, commitment and perseverance through the intensive degree program that offers a pathway to practice as a registered nurse for those with a previous college degree in a non-nursing field.
“Today is indeed a truly happy and special day as we celebrate the second class of nursing graduates in our university’s history. All of you are part of the strong foundation we are building in health sciences at Mississippi State. You are setting a very high standard,” Keenum said.
He also acknowledged the university’s dedicated faculty and staff and the mentors and community partners who have invested in these students.
“In addition to our faculty and staff, I want to thank The Riley Foundation and the Riley Board of Directors and staff for their incredible support of our nursing program and their investments in all of you. They are remarkable partners, and we are blessed to work with them and our other outstanding partners here in the Meridian community, including the Phil Hardin Foundation, the Broadhead Foundation, and the Montgomery Foundation,” Keenum said.
Dean of Nursing Mary Stewart said students in the program, which leads to practice-ready graduation and preparedness for the NCLEX exam, are supported by an extremely experienced team of nursing faculty assembled to guide them through the rigorous program.
“Brilliant, bold and unafraid to disrupt, these faculty members are grounded in academic excellence and driven by compassion for patients. They are indeed creating new opportunities in healthcare and education.”
MSN faculty honored student Simran Batth of Clinton as the program’s 2026 Outstanding Student.
“Simran’s achievement reflects not only academic excellence, but also the compassion and professionalism that define great nurses,” said Kayla Carr, associate dean, program director and professor of nursing. “We are proud to call her an MSU grad and excited to see the impact she will make in the profession.”
The state’s first direct-entry MSN degree is one of just 90 across the nation and is expected to grow to accommodate more than 60 students each year.
Following graduation, the students will continue to prepare for their upcoming NCLEX exams and upon passing will be granted licensure as registered nurses.
Learn more about MSU’s School of Nursing at www.nursing.msstate.edu.
Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters. Learn more at www.msstate.edu.