Mississippi State鈥檚 Master of Fine Arts in Historic Preservation program is celebrating the first graduating class to earn their degree. Launched in fall 2021, the program鈥攐ne of the few degrees of its kind in the United States鈥攑repares graduates with the skills necessary to educate diverse populations and promote historic preservation while employed with non-profit organizations, government agencies, cities, museums, private-sector firms and in academia.
Six students completed the rigorous curriculum鈥攚hich focuses on historic preservation combined with preservation field studies鈥攅arning their master鈥檚 degrees during a commencement ceremony held May 16 in Starkville.
鈥淲e are so excited to celebrate these first graduates,鈥 said Professor Beth Miller, who serves as director of the graduate program and head of the Interior Design Department. 鈥淭his cohort took a leap of faith with me and enrolled in a brand-new master鈥檚 program. Their enthusiasm was contagious and carried over into the classroom, and they were eager for knowledge and all things preservation.鈥
鈥淭his group has already secured employment in higher education, state preservation entities and prestigious design firms,鈥 Miller said. 鈥淭hey love the state of Mississippi and want to make an impact in helping to preserve historic structures and communities to spur economic growth, and I鈥檓 excited to watch it unfold.鈥
Fall 2025 applications for the MFA in Historic Preservation are currently open, with enrollment expected to grow as the program continues to develop. Learn more at .
Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters. Learn more at .
Among those earning their degrees were:
- Rachel Bozeman
- Kara Lucas
- Charlyn King
- Tommy King
- Cyndi Parker
- Halley Roy
Melissa Balcer was also the first student to earn a graduate certificate in historic preservation.