Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

A newly signed memorandum of understanding between Mississippi State and Southeastern Baptist College in Laurel provides a seamless transition for transfer students coming to the university. Last week, SBC President Scott R. Carson, left, and MSU President Mark E. Keenum signed the agreement that benefits students graduating from SBC with an Associate of Arts in General Education. PHOTO: Grace Cockrell | Public Affairs

Cardozo-Gaibisso collaborates on $1.2M NIH grant
A Mississippi State faculty member is collaborating through a $1.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to advance immersive learning environments for Latine multilingual learners (LML) with a focus on science, technology, engineering and math settings. Lourdes Cardozo-Gaibisso, an assistant professor in MSU’s English department since 2021, said the five-year project focuses on creating spaces for LML students to engage with science inquiry experiences using features of translanguaging -- the practice of maximizing communication using more than one language within a classroom lesson.

Sutton co-investigator on $4.3M NIH grant
Mississippi State faculty member Tara E. Sutton is serving as senior personnel on a five-year National Institutes of Health grant investigating the sexual assault experiences of sexual and gender minority men and expanding insight into victimization and related outcomes. An assistant professor in the sociology department and an affiliated faculty member in the Gender Studies and African American Studies programs, Sutton is a co-investigator for the $4.3 million grant. Sutton said the project is “very important for informing prevention and risk reduction efforts.”

Staggers reappointed to board of directors of national agricultural organization
Will Staggers, director of development for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Mississippi State University, as well as the MSU Extension Service and the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Experiment Station, has been reappointed to a one-year term on the Board of Directors for the National Agricultural Alumni and Development Association (NAADA). Staggers will serve as a director at large and be appointed to special projects throughout the year. His term of service began on June 17 with that of more than 20 other board members from across the United States following NAADA’s 47th-annual conference.

Jackson releases new book on fishing and hunting
A new book by a Mississippi State wildlife, fisheries and aquaculture professor emeritus recollects hunting and fishing in the South. Donald Jackson’s “A Sportsman’s Journey,” published by the University Press of Mississippi, is his fourth book and explores the connections between man and his environment. Jackson, who continues teaching Principles of Fisheries Management in the College of Forest Resources, said he hopes readers garner a visceral experience of life in the great outdoors. “I hope when people read the book, they feel as if they were with me while I experienced it. I want to create a shared journey people can relate to that is personal to them, even though this story explores my own hunting and fishing journeys,” said Jackson.

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Kellie Burke
Kellie Burke found her dream job when she began working for the Office of Nutrition Education, although she said the job found her. “This career chose me,” she said. “I was at my previous job for eight years and was unhappy. A friend of mine who works for Extension saw the job was posted, thought the job would be great for me, and called me.” As a community wellness planner, Burke delivers nutrition information through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education, or SNAP-Ed. Delivered through the Mississippi State University Extension Service, the program teaches people about kitchen basics, the importance of a healthy diet, the U.S. Department of Agriculture My Plate food guidance model, and how to shop for and cook healthy meals on a budget.

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Kay Davidson
Kay Davidson’s experience at Sara Lee/Bryan Foods made her well suited for her job as the budget coordinator for a large department at Mississippi State University. “I came to MSU after Sara Lee/Bryan Foods closed,” Davidson said. “Having worked with military and export requirements and documentation, this opportunity seemed a good fit, considering my sales administration and customer service experience.” Davidson is responsible for assisting faculty in preparing and submitting grant proposals and is the department grants and contracts liaison between faculty and the Office of Sponsored Projects.

New graduate certificate program offers specialized understanding of public procurement
Mississippi State’s Department of Political Science and Public Administration now offers a certificate program for graduate students that bridges theory and practices in the field of public procurement. Beginning this semester, the Graduate Certificate in Public Procurement is a “four-course sequence” intended for professionals working in the public and private sector. “We are excited to see this certificate program begin because the efficient and ethical use of scarce taxpayer resources is an important part of responsible governance,” said Brian Shoup, PSPA department head. “This program equips Mississippians working in procurement with the tools they need to be effective stewards of financial resources.”

Apply today: Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program
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.

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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Dyer to serve as interim in new dean of interdisciplinary studies leadership position
A longtime faculty member in Mississippi State University’s geosciences department is adding a new administrative role to his responsibilities in a newly created leadership position. Provost and Executive Vice President David R. Shaw has named Professor Jamie L. Dyer interim dean of interdisciplinary studies, effective Aug. 16. In this role, he will serve as the chief administrative officer for MSU’s growing Interdisciplinary Studies Program. “Jamie is exceptionally well qualified to lead our interdisciplinary academic initiatives as we broaden and expand these programs to better meet the needs of our students,” Shaw said.

Economic Development Administration awards MSU grant supporting work as vital resource for state businesses
The U.S. Economic Development Administration again is awarding Mississippi State’s College of Business a competitive grant to continue important work assisting Mississippi businesses and entrepreneurs. Specifically, the EDA five-year award of $550,000 enables MSU’s “University Center” status within the College of Business’ E-Center to help businesses in the state leverage university resources. The center is the only one funded by EDA in the state. “This is a highly competitive grant and maintaining our EDA University Center status is a testament to the ongoing economic and community development work being done by the College of Business and Mississippi State University,” said Jeffrey Rupp, outreach director.

New cohort begins university's Leadership Development Program
A new class of 16 Mississippi State employees -- Kevin Anderson, Christina Childers, Paula Estes, Delaney Foster, Alvin Franklin, Leah Gibson, Kenneth Graves, Lilli Harris, Tockie Hemphill, Joseph Iupe, Kimberly Peeples, Kayla Pineda, Blair Reed, David Saucier, Kathi Smith and Erica Way -- recently began a training program to help prepare them for future leadership roles. The Leadership Development Program’s Class of 2023 features staff members from a variety of units and departments, from the MSU Foundation to the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences. These employees will meet nine times during the academic year to sharpen their skills through a variety of professional development sessions and team-building activities.

Additional staff physicians join health center
Two talented physicians with more than 30 years of combined experience are now serving Mississippi State students, faculty and staff at the Longest Student Health Center. Drs. Jennifer Gholson and Kennieth McCollough officially began their duties Aug. 1 at the university’s health care facility located on Hardy Road. In addition to his primary care duties at LSHC, McCollough will serve as the main medical contact for the athletic department, said MSU Student Health Services Director Dr. Katrina Poe. Gholson and McCollough join a full-time staff of Drs. Phillip Pearson and Poe, along with family nurse practitioners Missy Dodson, Cindy Lockhart, LaPorshia McBeth and Emily Sesser. They also work with Drs. Shelia Crowley and Mike Mabry and nurse practitioner Myra Fitts, three retired clinicians who provide care for patients at the center on an intermittent basis.