Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Mississippi State University is once again being recognized nationally as a top 10 university for support of the veteran community. VIQTORY, formerly Victory Media, awarded MSU the distinction in its recently released Military Friendly Schools rankings for 2022-2023, marking the third consecutive year MSU has earned the designation. Building on historic military roots, MSU has long been recognized as one of the nation’s most veteran-friendly universities. Including dependents, the veteran community at MSU now comprises more than 3,100 students. These students are served by MSU’s G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery Center for America’s Veterans at Nusz Hall and a network of specially trained university personnel. PHOTO: Ariell Fain | Public Affairs

Bricks to Clicks Marketing podcast, book make debut
Business leaders looking to upgrade their social media marketing strategies can now get started by tuning in to a new podcast series. Bricks-To-Clicks Marketing, a Mississippi State University Extension program, helps business leaders develop a digital marketing plan to bring in more customers and revenue. The program has launched an eight-episode marketing podcast centered around use of social media platforms to grow personal brands and businesses. James Barnes, associate Extension professor in the MSU Department of Agricultural Economics, developed the podcast to complement his book, “The 5 Social Media Mistakes Your Business Should Avoid.” “In addition to the five mistakes, the book and the first season of the podcast cover principles to help any business owner give their social media a makeover that works,” Barnes said.

Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program underway
Mississippi State has a long association with the Fulbright Scholar Program with over 50 MSU faculty from a variety of disciplines having received Fulbright U.S. Scholar awards since 1954. MSU has also welcomed many international scholars to our campus through the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program. The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program recently opened its 2023-24 competition with over 400 awards in 130 countries featured in the Catalog of Awards, which includes teaching, researching and professional project opportunities. The MSU International Institute welcomes questions from faculty who are interested in applying. If you have questions, please email Fulbright scholar liaison Cathy Curtis at ccurtis@international.msstate.edu.

ORED launches seed funding and internship programs to grow research success
The Office Research and Economic Development is pleased to announce the launch of two new pilot programs designed to grow research success at Mississippi State University: the Advancing Collaborative Research Program (ACR) and the Faculty Leadership Internship Program (FLIP). Consistent with ORED goals to spur interdisciplinary research and establish new partnerships within and beyond the institution, ACR is meant to encourage both internal and external collaborations; enable new teams and/or new lines of research; and advance high-potential, high-impact activities to the next level. As part of developing talent and leadership within the MSU research enterprise, ORED is piloting the FLIP -- a six-month program designed to provide faculty with an in-depth, first-hand experience that broadens and deepens understanding of how research administration operates.

Inaugural Research Week coming up in April
Mississippi State will showcase the innovative research taking place across campus with the inaugural annual Research Week April 11-14. Sponsored by the Office of Research and Economic Development, Research Week will celebrate the MSU faculty, staff, and students advancing their fields and making an impact in Mississippi and across the globe. Research Week will foster knowledge of the wide variety of scholarly and creative activities happening on our campus and promote awareness of the many resources that support research at MSU. Units and organizations across campus are encouraged to host events in conjunction with Research Week. To submit an event or lean more information about Research Week, visit www.research.msstate.edu/initiatives/research-week.

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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MSU names spring 2022 Access, Diversity and Inclusion Faculty Fellows
Mississippi State is recognizing the university’s inaugural Access, Diversity and Inclusion Faculty Fellows cohort. Five individuals from MSU -- Qiana Cutts, Caroline Kobia, Bindu Nanduri, Lauren Priddy and Lindsey Storey Shelton -- make up the spring 2022 class of ADI Fellows and are assisting the Division of Access, Diversity and Inclusion in key initiatives. ADI Fellows are working with efforts to increase diversity among faculty and staff, provide additional support to first-generation, limited-income students, and enhance international student experiences. “We are incredibly excited to launch the ADI Fellows program with a tremendous inaugural cohort of faculty and staff leaders,” said MSU Vice President for Access, Diversity and Inclusion Ra’Sheda Forbes. “This program will be a great benefit to our division and the entire university as these fellows’ projects will inform and enhance our work and practices.”

Ag commissioner announces promotional partnership between MDAC and MSU
Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson announced last week a promotional partnership between the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) and Mississippi State University. Commissioner Gipson was joined by MSU Chief Communications Officer Sid Salter and MSU Director of Petroleum Products Scott Boone. This partnership is part of a recent initiative to promote universities within the state through MDAC’s Bureau of Regulatory Services inspection stickers. Each sticker representing the divisions within the Bureau of Regulatory Services will feature the school colors of the chosen university for one year.

Interior Design program receives national grant for 'Historic Lighting Environments' course
Mississippi State’s Interior Design program is receiving a grant from the Nuckolls Fund for Lighting Education. Assistant Professor Robin Carroll, principal investigator for the $30,000 grant, said the money will be put toward a new course, “Historic Lighting Environments,” that will broaden the outreach for the lighting design minor and be offered as part of the Master of Fine Arts in Historic Preservation curriculum. A certified lighting consultant for 35 years, Carroll will serve as the primary instructor for the course that will cover design process, understanding light quality, energy and maintenance, conservation and exterior lighting. Assistant Professor G. Jeff Fulton, MFA historic preservation degree coordinator, will support the class with historical research.