The presidents of the University of Southern Mississippi and Mississippi Valley State University received raises at the end of last year, according to meeting minutes from the Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees’ November executive session.
The raises, which took effect earlier this month, appear to have been granted after trustees discussed the job performances of USM President Joe Paul and MVSU President Jerryl Briggs, minutes show.
“University presidents across the state and throughout the country are facing substantive challenges in an increasingly competitive environment, and it is important that good work in that environment is recognized and rewarded,” an IHL spokesperson wrote in a statement.
 100vw, 1616px”>Joe Paul, University of Southern Mississippi president. <span class=)
The third highest-paid college president in the state, Paul is now making $700,000 a year, a $50,000 raise over his previous salary, meeting minutes show. The raise came from the state-funded portion of Paul’s salary while the USM Foundation will continue to pay him an annual supplement of $200,000.
“I am thankful for the confidence and support of the IHL Board of Trustees, and I look forward to leading my alma mater for the next four years,” Paul said in a statement. “Meg and I have committed to contributing this salary increase and more to the USM Foundation and the Southern Miss Athletic Foundation over the time of my contract.”
 100vw, 564px”>Jerryl Briggs, Mississippi Valley State University president <span class=)
Briggs will now make $310,000 a year, an escalate of $10,000 in state funds. He will continue to receive a $5,000 supplement from the MVSU J.H. White Foundation. The IHL board renewed Briggs’ contract two years ago but did not grant him a raise.
“I am deeply grateful for the support of the IHL Board and our university community,” Briggs said in a statement. “At Mississippi Valley State University, we remain steadfast in our commitment to fiscal responsibility, fostering enrollment growth, and expanding access to higher education opportunities for individuals in the Mississippi Delta and beyond. Together, we are truly ‘In Motion!’”
