Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Towering high above Starkville, MILLERCO workers replace the main antenna for campus radio station WMSV 91.1 FM. The project is one of several in progress to modernize the station under the new leadership of General Manager Neil Price. A division of the Office of Public Affairs, WMSV 91.1 FM is the university’s noncommercial, community station providing news, sports and music programming to those within a 70-mile listening area of campus. Since its creation in 1994, the station has won more than 50 state and national awards. PHOTO: David Garraway | MSU Television Center

Long-standing partnership leads to new public, nature-based recreation amenity in Ocean Springs
A mile-long trail featuring a raised boardwalk now offers the public access to a nature-focused amenity in Ocean Springs thanks to a partnership between Mississippi State’s Gulf Coast Community Design Studio and the Land Trust for the Mississippi Coastal Plain. As one of MSU’s research centers housed within the College of Architecture, Art and Design, the GCCDS provided design services, assisted with securing a qualified contractor for the trail, and provided construction oversight. “This is part of a larger project we’ve been working on with the Land Trust since 2018 to identify and implement projects that can improve water quality within the Old Fort Bayou Watershed,” said David Perkes, GCCDS director.

State and university recognized for success in expanding access to K-12 computer science education
The state of Mississippi and Mississippi State University’s efforts to expand access to K-12 computer science education are being recognized on the national stage. During Code.org’s annual CSEdCon, Mississippi was recognized for leading the nation in increasing access to computer science education. The recognition is based on Mississippi’s 18% growth in high schools offering computer science foundational courses. MSU’s Center for Cyber Education has been a main driver of this increase, leading educator training for teachers across the state so they can return to their schools and teach computer science. The work is made possible by financial support from C Spire and the Mississippi Legislature.

MSU researchers secure NSF grant to study emotion, information spread during COVID-19 pandemic
A Mississippi State University research team is using nearly $300,000 from the National Science Foundation to study the intersection of human emotions, information spread and behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic, a project that could inform future health policies. Principal Investigator Megan Richardson and Co-PI Sujan Ranjan Anreddy -- both assistant research professors with MSU’s Social Science Research Center -- are collaborating with Co-PI and SSRC researcher Terri N. Hernandez, also an assistant professor in the Department of Communication, on the two-year grant from the NSF Behavioral and Cognitive Science, Human Networks and Data Science-Infrastructure. Christopher Lightsey, a research engineer from MSU’s High Performance Computing Collaboratory, is serving as senior personnel on the project.

Sociology's Sutton named ‘Emerging Scholar’ by criminology society
Mississippi State University faculty member Tara E. Sutton has been recognized as an emerging scholar by the American Society of Criminology's Division on Queer Criminology for her in-depth criminology research with a focus on women, Black families and LGBTQIA2S+ young adults. Sutton, an assistant professor in MSU’s Department of Sociology, received her award at the recent ASC annual meeting. An MSU faculty member since 2018, Sutton -- who holds affiliations in MSU’s Gender Studies program and African American Studies program -- focuses her research on sexuality, gender and race as it relates to violence and crime.

Nomination period open for 2024 MSU Online Teaching Award
The nomination window for the 2024 Mississippi State Online Teaching Award is open now until 5 p.m. Jan. 7. In its sixth year, the award acknowledges and rewards an MSU online instructor who employs best practices to engage, inspire and support students in an online environment. Potential nominees include faculty members, instructors or lecturers of a Campus 5 course taught in the current academic year. The winner will receive a $500 award along with registration to attend an online education-related conference similar to OLC, UPCEA or USDLA. The winner will be notified in April.

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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MSTV app brings graduation, university events to mobile devices
For the first time, Mississippi State University’s graduation ceremonies will be viewable from the convenience of almost anywhere thanks to the new Mississippi State TV app available for most devices. Downloadable from all major app stores, the MSTV app will provide live event coverage of all Starkville and Meridian graduate and undergraduate commencement exercises to a global audience beginning with ceremonies Thursday [Dec. 7] and Friday [Dec. 8]. MSU Vice President for Strategic Communications Sid Salter said the new app is “the next step toward achieving our transformation goals as outlined in the university’s strategic plan.” The MSTV app is available for free for iOS, Android, Fire, Roku and AppleTV devices. Search “MSTV” in your device’s app store.

2023 Staff Development Conference registration ends Tuesday
Registration for the upcoming 2023 Mississippi State Staff Development Conference ends 5 p.m. Tuesday [Dec. 5]. The one-day event, scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 13 at the Old Main Academic Center, will encourage and support the holistic development and well-being of all MSU staff. It is free and open to all professional and support staff, and check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. To register, visit https://webapps.its.msstate.edu/staffcouncil/conference and click “Log in.” The event will offer sessions focused on technology, professional and personal development, networking opportunities and up-to-date resources, and will include the opportunity to attend breakout sessions, hear from a special guest during the keynote session, visit numerous vendors at the Resource Fair and enjoy a complimentary lunch along with the chance to win great door prizes.

MSU Extension gets $4.4 million grant to continue obesity work
The Mississippi State University Extension Service recently received a second cycle of funding for a project that has worked to combat obesity by helping people eat healthier and participate in physical activity. The AIM for CHangE program was awarded a five-year, $4.4 million grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help continue efforts to combat obesity in 10 target counties. AIM for CHangE is short for “Advancing, Inspiring, Motivating for Community Health through Extension.” A coalition of numerous local, state and federal partners leverage their expertise to provide needed resources and information in targeted counties. “This second round of funding will enable us to continue our efforts to create sustainable changes in communities that have helped people make measurable changes in their health and well-being,” said David Buys, Extension health specialist and associate professor in the Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion.