Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Mississippi State University President Mark E. Keenum, center, joins Delta Council members and dignitaries after speaking at the group's mid-year meeting at MSU's Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville last week. Also pictured from left are Frank Howell, Delta Council executive director; Tripp Hayes, Delta Council chairman; Keenum; Clint Dunn, Delta Council president; and Chris Champion, vice president of C Spire, the meeting sponsor.

Clary wins prestigious award for advancing geological sciences history
Mississippi State Professor Renée M. Clary is the 2025 recipient of the Geological Society of America’s Mary C. Rabbitt Award, honoring her distinguished scholarship and contributions to advancing the history of the geological sciences. Clary, a faculty member in MSU’s Department of Geosciences since 2006 who also serves as director of the university’s Dunn-Seiler Museum, specializes in geoscience education. She particularly focuses on the integration of geological and biological knowledge in science instruction, the use of science history to deepen student understanding and how visualization strategies can enhance learning.

MSU-Meridian receives $1.75 million NSF grant to strengthen STEM educator workforce
Mississippi State University-Meridian’s Division of Education is receiving a $1.75 million grant from the National Science Foundation’s Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program to prepare highly qualified STEM educators for elementary and secondary classrooms. Michelle Stubbs, assistant teaching professor at MSU-Meridian, serves as the project’s principal investigator. She is joined by Diana Outlaw, associate professor of biological sciences and program manager at MSU’s Social Science Research Center, and Ryan Walker, associate professor in the College of Professional and Continuing Studies. The funds will be used to recruit 24 Noyce Fellows across two 14-month cohorts on the Meridian campus.

MSU AI Community: Join the conversation!
Mississippi State University is taking steps to advance artificial intelligence adoption across campus. Whether you’re a researcher, educator, or staff member, these resources are designed to help you learn, collaborate, and stay informed about AI initiatives at MSU. The AI Innovation Hub SharePoint Site is your one-stop hub for AI-related learning opportunities, workshops, user guidance, industry news, tips, and updates. It's available at https://mstate.sharepoint.com/sites/AIInnovationHub. You can also connect through the MSU AI Community Teams Site. If you have any questions about AI at MSU, please contact Senior Advisor for AI and Data Governance Julie Jordan at julie.jordan@msstate.edu.

Airport shuttle departure schedule adjusted to meet airline baggage check changes
A 45-minute cutoff for checking baggage with Delta and American airlines has changed the express shuttle times offered by Mississippi State Transportation to Golden Triangle Regional Airport. The GTRA express shuttle now departs The Mill at MSU two hours before flight time and arrives at the airport one and a half hours before flight time. This is 30 minutes earlier than the previous schedule. Shuttle pickups from the Starkville campus and hotels along Highway 12 also can be scheduled with MSU if reservations are made at least 24 hours prior to the requested departure time from these locations. This service is available by emailing GTRShuttle@transportation.msstate.edu or calling 662-325-5204.

Free learning opportunities via LinkedIn Learning available to faculty, staff and students
Sharpen skills. Explore new interests. Increase professional value. These and other results are available via no-cost learning opportunities to Mississippi State faculty, staff and students through MSU’s agreement with LinkedIn Learning. A popular, online education platform, LinkedIn Learning’s 20,000-plus courses are available to campus via a quick login using their MSU NetID email addresses. With self-paced learning, courses are presented in various formats, including bite-sized video, audio only and in-depth content. The platform is directly integrated with Canvas, the university’s learning management system. MSU faculty can use it to supplement course material or even develop and load their own content onto the platform.

Smoke-free policy enhances healthy environment
Mississippi State University is a smoke-free campus. Official policy prohibits the use of any combustible or vapor products anywhere on campus property including university buildings, university grounds, university vehicles, parking areas and sidewalks. The smoke-free campus policy is part of the university's commitment to creating a healthy environment for all members of the campus community. Use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, pipes, hookah or other similar devices are prohibited by this policy. The complete policy is available at www.policies.msstate.edu/policy/91301.

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Keenum highlights MSU’s commitment to farmers, agriculture during Delta Council keynote
Mississippi State University President Mark E. Keenum met with the Delta Council in Stoneville last week, reaffirming MSU’s long-standing partnership with the organization and its shared commitment to strengthening agriculture and rural communities in Mississippi and nationally. During his keynote remarks, Keenum emphasized the critical importance of agricultural security as national security and its role in maintaining global stability. In addition to meeting with the Delta Council, Keenum visited with faculty and staff at the Delta Research and Extension Center, one of four such centers MSU operates throughout the state. He lauded their work and many contributions to advance innovative research and support producers throughout the region.

Goliath receives national Mosaic Award celebrating forensic advocacy
Mississippi State forensic anthropologist Jesse R. Goliath is the 2026 recipient of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences Community Connections Mosaic Award, a national honor recognizing those who advance advocacy and positive change in the forensic sciences. An assistant professor in MSU’s Department of Anthropology and Middle Eastern Cultures, Goliath’s research focuses on supporting marginalized populations and improving outcomes for missing and unidentified persons, particularly in underserved regions of the rural South. “Jesse’s work embodies exactly what this award stands for,” said Rick Travis, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “When you look at the purpose of the Mosaic Award -- recognizing those who create positive change and ensure every voice is valued -- you see Jesse at the center of that mission. He has been a blessing to this state and university.”

Brown reelected to arts and sciences national board
Karyn Brown, a longtime Mississippi State educator and assistant dean for communication and media in the College of Arts and Sciences, now is serving a prestigious second term on the Board of Directors for the national Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences. CCAS board members are elected by the full membership during their annual meeting held this fall in St. Louis, Missouri. “Professionally, this role allows me to collaborate with leaders from across the country and contribute to national conversations shaping arts and sciences education,” Brown said. “Personally, it is deeply meaningful to represent Mississippi State and the work I care so much about. I’m grateful for the opportunity to advocate for the role of liberal arts education in students’ lives.”

Green honored nationally for rural research
John J. Green, director of Mississippi State’s Southern Rural Development Center and professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics, is the 2025 Rural Renewal Research Prize winner. Receiving the national honor during the annual Rural Renewal Initiative Symposium last month, the recognition is given to individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership and contributions in research, education and engagement that advance the future vitality of rural communities. Green also delivered an invited speech titled “Exploring Pathways for Rural Renewal: Conversations About Development.”