The MSU Speech and Debate Council serves two functions, representing the university in intercollegiate debate competition and promoting public speaking and debate on campus and in the community. Our members come from all segments of the student body, from freshmen to graduate students, encompassing a wide array of majors.
The Council was established in 2015 to carry on the traditions of previous speech and debate teams and organizations at Mississippi State University. We compete in individual and team debate within the International Public Debate Association (IPDA). We are proud to be the 2025 IPDA Season-Long National Champions as well as the two-time defending IPDA National Tournament Champions, and to have produced over twenty individual national debate champions.
Our Coaches
Brett Harvey serves as Director of Debate. His full time job is being one of the university's lawyers, but he sometimes needs a break from the heavy stuff. He has about thirty years' experience as a debater and coach, and is proud to have coached two IPDA national champion teams and over 21 individual national champions. His kids are debaters. Even his dog has an argumentative streak.
Jake Reed serves as Associate Director of Debate. He is an instructor in the Department of Geosciences teaching meteorology courses, which is kind of like teaching people to predict the future. Jake is a graduate of Mississippi State University and the University of Alabama. He has been involved in competitive debate since 2005 - first as a competitor in high school, then judge, and now coach of the two-time IPDA national champions.
Our Officers
- President: Ben Harvey
- Director of External Affairs: Evan Garrison
- Chief Information Officer: Emma Jaramillo
- Social Media and Marketing Chair: Abby Reeves
- Member Experience Co-Chairs: Claire Green and Sam Harvey
Prospective Members
All MSU students are welcome to join the Council and participate in the mission of promoting speech and debate at Mississippi State. Membership on the competition team is determined by open tryouts each August. Our members represent nearly every major on campus and come from across the United States and around the world. No experience is required: many of our most successful competitors had no prior high school experience.
Current or prospective MSU students interested in learning more about the Council should contact us at debate@msstate.edu. We're happy to answer any questions or provide any assistance we can.
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