Several members of Mississippi State University’s Student Association traveled to Kentucky last weekend, where they received an award for SEC Student Government of the Year, as well as a diversity award.
The SEC presents the yearly top government award to a group who excels in student leadership and is exemplary in advocating and supporting student needs, developing innovative programs, engaging with diverse student populations, collaborating with groups on campus and establishing sustainable programs.
SA President Mayah Emerson said MSU’s student government demonstrated those qualities by advocating for a variety of academic areas on campus, such as the creation of an online syllabus bank, improvements to academic advising, and the addition of curriculum flow charts and online teaching evaluations.
Not only did it advocate for academics, but SA also supported things like Cowbell Cabs, a safe-riding program; advancements for mental health, such as placing phone numbers on the back of student IDs; Bulldog Bash, the state’s largest free outdoor concert; the first-ever Homecoming Carnival; the addition of Organizational and Transfer SA seats; and the creation of Lead Maroon, a first-year experience class taught by the SA president.
In addition to SEC Student Government of the Year, MSU’s organization won the Outstanding Service to Diversity and Inclusion award.
“We earned this award by supporting our students who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community this past year,” Emerson said.
In March, Starkville hosted its first Pride Parade. The event was put together by Starkville Pride, an organization of which many MSU students are a part.
SA’s dedication to student service is what ultimately helped them win both of these honors, Emerson said.
“I believe that the MSU Student Association was able to earn these awards because the needs of the student body are at the heart of everything that we do,” Emerson said. “This past year, we assessed the needs of the student body, and worked every single day to serve and assist in any way that we could.”
MSU Vice President of Student Affairs Regina Hyatt said the university is pleased with SA’s recent achievements.
“We are very proud for the recognition the Student Association has received from their SEC colleagues,” Hyatt said. “Our student leaders work tirelessly to improve the student experience for all students and its exciting when their hard work is validated by their peers. I congratulate the Student Association and look forward to another outstanding year ahead.”
As for the future, Emerson said the organization plans to continue business as usual and serve the students.
“The Student Association has always been the best at serving its students,” Emerson said. “The only difference is that we are now being recognized for that. Over the next year our focus will remain the same as it always has been—the needs of the student body.”

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Shelly Petty | Mahan Multimedia

MSU SA President Mayah Emerson accepts the SEC Student Government of the Year award at the SEC Exchange at the University of Kentucky.