Mei-Chi C. Piletz

Executive Director/Principal Designated School Official
Mississippi College

My Proudest Achievements:

• During Black History Month in February 2010, I was recognized by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning “for serving as a role model and strong advocate for the advancement of diversity at Jackson State University and the State of Mississippi.”
• After working for Jackson State University for 17 years, I was employed by Mississippi College (MC) in 2012 as its Executive Director for the Office of Global Education, overseeing over 200 international students. In the following four years, I increased MC’s international student population to more than 500 students (10% of the total university student population).
• In 2022, I was awarded two  significant grants from the Taiwan Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), respectively, which allow 10–20 MC students to study in Taiwan with most of their expenses paid and MC having a Mandarin instructor sent from Taiwan MOE all expenses paid. MC was one of the six universities in the U.S. to receive the prestigious grant from Taiwan MOFA next to Cornell, Washington University, University of Maryland College Park, University of California Irvine, and Hunter College.

 
My Inspiration:

• Mississippi College Emeritus Provost, Dr. Ron Howard. He was my direct report.
  His keen global vision, compassion for international students, confidence, trust in me, and encouragement make him an excellent mentor. He is the reason for my success at Mississippi College.
  
• Mississippi College Associate Provost, Dr. Debbie Norris. She was also my direct report after Dr. Howard. Her organizational skills and sharp observation of issues make her a great leader in college administration.
  

What's Special About Mississippi College:
As Mississippi College (MC) approaches its 200th anniversary in 2026, our university is both reminded and excited.  We are reminded that our founders erected the main gates with a charge to “Depart to share your culture with all mankind.”  It is within this vein of Christian concern for the world that the Office of Global Education exists. 

At the same time, we are excited about the future of MC because the campus is growing new programs and erecting new living facilities. International students are finding out that our educational environment and prices are unrivaled. International students are not numbers at MC; they find guidance and care from fellow students, faculty, and staff. MC becomes their home away from home.  Four significant festivals yearly to showcase student cultures: The Autumn Moon Festival, the Celebration of Culture, the Lunar New Year Festival, and the International Festival.

The latest rankings from U.S. News & World Report attest to the Office of Global Education (OGE), showing Mississippi College ranks #168 amongst all national universities for percent international students. That’s higher than most Christian universities (i.e., Baylor #194, Union #299), regional big box schools (i.e., Auburn #195), and all public Mississippi universities. Mississippi College has also become a flagship of the HuaYu BEST grant program and Franz Scholarships from Taiwan, placing MC alone in the entire Southeastern US.  MC’s OGE also provides a thriving intensive English program (IEP) — the only one in central Mississippi.