Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

President Mark E. Keenum, left, and MSU Provost and Executive Vice President David Shaw, right, are pictured with the university’s 2022 John Grisham Master Teacher Award recipients Deb Mlsna, Jacob Tschume and Mike Breazeale. PHOTO: Megan Bean | Public Affairs

MSU CAVS-Extension, partners celebrate impact of Delta BroadReach Healthcare project
A consortium led by Mississippi State University’s Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems-Extension is working with area community colleges and healthcare systems to expand healthcare training and opportunities. Backed by an $800,000 grant from the Rural Business-Cooperative Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture under its Delta Health Care Services Grant Program, CAVS-Extension launched the Delta BroadReach Healthcare project in 2020 in coordination with Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Hinds Community College, North Central Planning and Development District and area healthcare providers. “I am extremely proud of the impact this grant has made in the healthcare community, from EMT training to telehealth and improving processes at medical facilities,” said John Moore, CAVS-Extension principal investigator for the grant and Healthcare Lean Certificate instructor.

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Darrell Banks
For Darrell Banks, no day is ever the same. “Some days I’m in the office planning events and programs, and other days I’m at a 4-H club meeting, shooting sports practice, or preparing 4-H’ers for a grilling contest,” Banks said. As an Extension 4-H agent in Lowndes County, Banks looks forward to every day because he gets to be a part of shaping young people for the future. “My favorite part of this job is helping kids that come through our Extension office door leave more accomplished and knowing there is something for everyone to do in 4-H,” he explained. “I get to help them try new things, perfect their skills, and watch them develop into outstanding leaders and citizens."

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Jessica Collins Herrington
Jessica Collins Herrington is the first face visitors to the Mississippi State University Extension Service office in Smith County see. “An office associate’s first job is to serve as the welcome center in the office,” she said. “It’s really important to be hospitable and patient in this job.” In addition to greeting visitors, answering the phone, and making sure daily operations run smoothly, Herrington assists and supports the county agent with all events and programs. In fact, her favorite part of the job is working with the 4-H program. “I truly enjoy getting to see our youth grow and mature in all aspects of their lives,” she said.

MSU Choctaw Preview Day welcomes prospective students
Fourteen Choctaw Central and Neshoba Central high school students got a look at college life April 26 when a 4-H career prep program took them to preview day at Mississippi State University. The students were hosted by the MSU Extension Service, who offered the 10-week Build Your Future program. The program is part of the strengthened partnership between the Choctaw Tribe and MSU, funded by a U.S. Department of Agriculture “New Beginning for Tribal Students” grant with an MSU and MSU Extension Service match. Tia Grisham, MBCI Youth Outreach Program director, said the partnership between MSU and the Choctaw Tribe is offering career planning and internships. She said MSU already has a history of welcoming indigenous peoples and offering a place for them to thrive and find community.

MSU Athlete Engineering Summit to highlight how collaboration improves human performance
An upcoming conference hosted by Mississippi State University will highlight the ways unique collaborations can cultivate human performance success. The inaugural Athlete Engineering Summit will be held May 11-12 at East Mississippi Community College’s Communiversity. Organized by MSU’s Athlete Engineering research group, the conference theme is “Secret Sauce: Sharing how unique collaborations collide to cultivate human performance success.” MSU alumnus Dr. Allen Sills, chief medical officer for the National Football League, will serve as keynote speaker for the conference. In addition to Sills, speakers include representatives from professional sports teams such as the Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves and Milwaukee Brewers; industry partners such as PACCAR, Toyota and Camgian; and sports performance professionals from multiple universities, including MSU.

HRM now accepting Leadership Development Program applications
Mississippi State's Human Resources Management is now accepting applications for the 2022-2023 Leadership Development Program. The application deadline is June 17. To meet eligibility requirements, applicants must be preparing for a mid- to senior-level leadership role; direct major tasks, projects and initiatives; have at least an overall 3.0 on their most recent performance appraisal; have the support of their immediate supervisor; be able to attend all sessions, including graduation; and have at least one year of service in their current position. Visit www.hrm.msstate.edu/learn-grow/leadership-development to download the application packet.

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.

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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Newest Grisham Master Teachers honored
Mississippi State is recognizing three distinguished faculty members with the university’s highest academic teaching award. Mike Breazeale, Deb Mlsna and Jacob Tschume are this year’s John Grisham Master Teacher Award recipients, honored during a campus program last week. “You exemplify the very best of what it means to be a scholar, a teacher and a mentor,” said MSU President Mark E. Keenum in remarks to the honorees. “Students want to be here because of the excellent teaching and research opportunities you and your colleagues provide.” MSU Provost and Executive Vice President David Shaw also congratulated the recipients. “These faculty members represent the epitome of what this institution is about in terms of caring about their students and ensuring they are extremely well-prepared for life and for a career,” Shaw said.

Faculty votes to move forward with initiative to add expanded ranks for instructors, teaching professors
Mississippi State faculty have voted in favor of a new instructional faculty ranks initiative, designed to better address an appropriate promotion ladder for university instructors and add improved terminology for teaching professors. Final voting shows 87% in favor of the measure. “This vote by our dedicated MSU Faculty is an extremely positive and important step forward toward the goal of retaining high-quality classroom instruction,” said MSU President Mark E. Keenum. “I am grateful to MSU Provost and Executive Vice President David Shaw and Faculty Senate President Rebecca Robichaux-Davis for their vision and leadership in advancing this important initiative through the necessary faculty review.”

Evans soars in avian conservation
A Mississippi State faculty member in the College of Forest Resources is being recognized by a premier ornithology organization for excellence in landbird conservation. Kristine Evans, assistant professor in the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture, is one of three avian conservationists recognized in the Western Hemisphere with the prestigious Partners in Flight leadership award. Partners in Flight is a network of more than 150 partner organizations engaged in all facets of landbird conservation. Evans was honored recently during the 87th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference held virtually.

Survey reveals 97% of MSU graduates quickly employed, continuing education close to home
Mississippi State’s Career Center is reporting that 97% of 2020-21 university graduates report being employed or working on advanced degrees within the first six months after graduation. “The data from this survey shows that MSU students are gaining the necessary knowledge and skills here to go into the job market and secure employment. Their talent and leadership abilities also are a testament to university faculty and staff who take an active approach in helping students become career ready,” the university’s Career Center Director Bethany Mills said. More than half of graduates who reported their employment location said they have remained in Mississippi to work. Also, the majority of respondents choosing to further their education after graduation instead of employment are staying in Mississippi, with 64% attending in-state colleges and universities.