Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Mississippi State dedicated the Dr. A. Randle and Marilyn W. White Healthcare Pathways Resource Center with a ribbon cutting in late April. Standing, from left, are Bowen Manswell, biochemistry senior minoring in pre-med from Tupelo, the White’s daughter Dr. Rachael Faught, Dr. Randle White, Marilyn White and Haston Autrey, microbiology junior from Memphis, Tennessee. Formerly known as the Health Professions Resource Center, the facility now in Allen Hall honors the support of the Whites, whose 2015 foundational gift established a centralized hub for MSU students pursuing careers in medicine, dentistry, nursing and other health-related fields. PHOTO: Emily Grace McCall | Public Affairs

College of Education honors faculty, staff with teaching, research, service awards
Mississippi State’s College of Education is honoring faculty and staff -- Kyle Baggerly, Stephanie Lemley, Beca Spencer, Michelle Stubbs and Mark Wildmon -- with annual awards for their outstanding contributions that advance the mission, effectiveness and impact of the college. “I am incredibly proud of this year’s award recipients and the meaningful difference they make every day through their teaching, research and service,” said Teresa Jayroe, College of Education dean. “Their dedication not only elevates the College of Education, but also creates lasting impact for our students, our communities and the future of education across our state.”

Brown helps uncover widespread genetic exchange in disease-causing parasites
Mississippi State University biologist Matthew W. Brown is part of an international research team whose latest findings, published this spring in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, are reshaping scientific understanding of how parasitic organisms evolve and ultimately spread disease. Focusing on the protistan parasite Leishmania, a genus of trypanosomatids which is globally spread through insect bites, the study provides critical insight for developing more effective interventions and treatments of parasitical infections. Brown, the Donald L. Hall Professor of Biology in MSU’s Department of Biological Sciences, contributed to the study’s genetic analyses and interpretation of evolutionary patterns. “Understanding how these parasites exchange genetic material fundamentally changes how we think about their evolution and adaptability,” Brown said.

Gregory named to national architecture accrediting board
Mississippi State Associate Professor Alexis Gregory will serve a three-year term as a director on the National Architectural Accrediting Board, the only accrediting institution of architecture degrees in the U.S. Gregory, who has taught in MSU’s School of Architecture within the College of Architecture, Art and Design since 2011, is one of three new directors elected earlier this year to the 13-member board. “I am humbled to be one of the academics and licensed architects on the board,” Gregory said. “NAAB is an important organization that works to maintain educational standards for architecture programs that prepare students for professional licensure. It is an honor to serve on the board, and I am looking forward to learning more about the accreditation process and the organization.”

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.

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 thanks lawmakers, College Board for additional MSU program investments during 2026 legislative session
The recently-completed 2026 regular session of the Mississippi Legislature saw encouraging gains for Mississippi State University, the state’s leading research university, as lawmakers invested in the land-grant institution’s core missions and in the university’s world-class faculty and staff. “While the bulk of our operations saw level funding, I’m extremely pleased that the Mississippi Legislature and the Board of Trustees of Institutions of Higher Learning chose to invest in a long-needed pay increase primarily for our academic personnel and provided funds to cover rising health insurance and public employee retirement costs,” said MSU President Mark E. Keenum. “We are also grateful for increased operating funds for each of our five separate agriculture units, with a raise pool for instructional faculty in that division that mirrors that provided for the main campus.”

MSU Libraries elected to the Association of Research Libraries membership
Mississippi State University President Mark E. Keenum last week congratulated the MSU Libraries’ faculty and staff on their election to membership in the prestigious Association of Research Libraries (ARL). The ARL membership voted at its Spring 2026 Association Meeting to invite the MSU Libraries to join ARL, effective July 1. “Achieving Association of Research Libraries membership has been a top priority and central focus for our outstanding university library system, and I am thrilled to see our MSU Libraries leadership, faculty and staff achieve this goal,” Keenum said. “Congratulations to Dean Lis Keith and her team for this outstanding achievement. I also want to thank former Dean Frances Coleman for her many years of leadership that helped pave the way to attaining ARL membership, as well as the many donors who have supported the MSU Libraries with their gifts,” Keenum said.

University honoring Berry, Tucker during spring graduation ceremonies set for May 12-15
Approximately 4,000 Bulldogs will receive Mississippi State degrees and certificates this month during commencement ceremonies scheduled May 12-15 in Starkville and Meridian. During the Starkville campus ceremonies, MSU President Mark E. Keenum will award honorary Doctor of Public Service degrees to William “Bill” Berry, retired ConocoPhillips executive vice president for worldwide exploration and production, and Archie Tucker, retired area director for the federal government’s Agricultural Research Service. Starkville graduates can invite up to eight guests, and Meridian graduates can have up to four. MSU will broadcast all ceremonies via the MSU TV Center’s livestream at www.utc.msstate.edu/mstv, on the MSTV app and on the university’s main Facebook page.

Cade leading MSU Extension disaster response, recovery
A Mississippi State University Extension county coordinator with a comprehensive emergency assistance background has been appointed to lead the organization’s disaster response and recovery efforts. Vivian Cade began serving as MSU Extension’s program coordinator for response and recovery May 1. This role monitors weather, drought, emergency management, public health and agricultural disease information to support timely preparedness, response and coordinated messaging for MSU Extension leadership and stakeholders. “Vivian brings a wealth of institutional knowledge and a steady, collaborative approach to this role,” said Angus Catchot, director of MSU Extension. Cade replaces Tom Ball, who is retiring after more than 20 years in the role and more than 25 years of service to MSU Extension.