Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Mississippi State alumna Nicole S. Cobb, a compliance administrator in the university's Office of Research Compliance, and other “contestants” answer questions about what they learned from their experience in the Leadership Excellence for Accomplished Professionals (LEAP) program. PHOTO: Russ Houston | Public Affairs

Byrd targets nutrition and health issues
Sylvia Byrd is committed to improving the nutrition and health of low-resource households through her efforts as the new project director for the Mississippi State University Extension Service Office of Nutrition Education. She will provide leadership for externally funded nutrition education programs that target low-resource households. She will work closely with the Mississippi Department of Human Services to ensure successful implementation of the program.

Mago elected to ASME national committee
The Bagley College of Engineering is now represented among members of a national mechanical engineering society’s department head executive committee. MSU department head Pedro Mago has been chosen to serve a two-year term for the American Society of Mechanical Engineers committee, beginning in 2016. The ASME Mechanical Engineering Department Head Executive Committee represents the interests of department heads to the ASME board.

Jackson selected for Boone and Crockett Club
Mississippi State University Extension Service Director Gary Jackson recently was selected to be a professional member of North America’s first conservation organization. Founded by Theodore Roosevelt and George Bird Grinnell in 1887, the Boone and Crockett Club promotes wildlife conservation and management, including sportsmanship, habitat conservation and the ethical standards of fair chase hunting.

Class enhances skills, impacts food systems
Two Mississippi State University faculty members are participating in an executive leadership program to gain enhanced management skills and a broader perspective on food systems. Mike Phillips, head of the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, and Mary Beck, head of the Department of Poultry Sciences, began the Food Systems Leadership Institute program in the fall of 2015.

Proposal development assistance from SPA
Sponsored Programs Administration and the Office of Research and Economic Development at Mississippi State University are committed to helping faculty find the resources needed to support research endeavors. Recognizing that not all faculty members have departmental support for proposal development, SPA is working to provide this support as needed.

Resolve to volunteer in the new year
The Maroon Volunteer Center at Mississippi State details a number of volunteer opportunities for the campus community on its website and in its newsletter this week. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to make a difference by resolving to volunteer in the new year.

This Week in Mississippi State Sports, 01/04/16
Men's Basketball hosts Texas A&M at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, and then visits Fayetteville on Saturday for a 2:30 p.m. tipoff against Arkansas... Women's Basketball hosts Auburn on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and Arkansas at 2 p.m. on Sunday... Track & Field competes Friday in the Purple Tiger Invite in Baton Rouge.

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Pearson named interim associate vice president
A respected Mississippi State management professor who has served in a number of interim administrative roles now has another at the university Allison W. Pearson moves Jan. 1 to the position of interim associate vice president for academic affairs, temporarily filling the position held by Julia Hodges. Since 2013, Pearson has been serving as special assistant to Jerry Gilbert, MSU provost and executive vice president.

LEAP program announces new graduates
Thirteen Mississippi State staff members are new graduates of the university's Leadership Excellence for Accomplished Professionals program. “The LEAP program is designed to help participants reach the next level of leadership and help move Mississippi State forward,” said Darrell Easley, learning and development manager for MSU’s human resources management department.

Turner to lead rural development center
A longtime department head at Mississippi State University has been named the new director of the Southern Rural Development Center. Steven Turner, who has served as head of the MSU Department of Agricultural Economics for 12 years, officially started as the center’s director Jan. 1. MSU Extension Service Director Gary Jackson said Turner will work with 29 land-grant institutions in 13 states to address critical contemporary rural development issues affecting the well-being of people and communities in the rural South.

Martin tapped for ag, natural resource duties
A proven ability to work with producers, university professionals and industry representatives has earned Steve Martin new responsibilities with the Mississippi State University Extension Service. Extension Director Gary Jackson announced last month that Martin is the new associate director for agriculture and natural resource programs, which support the largest sector of Mississippi’s economy -- farming and related agribusinesses.