Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Staff from the MSU Extension Service’s Early Childhood Programs attended the 2024 Early Childhood Capitol Day in Jackson last month. The event served as a platform to raise awareness of the pressing needs in the early childhood community and to bring attention to the vital role that early childhood programs play in nurturing cognitive, social and emotional development in children. MSU Extension programs represented included the Nurturing Homes Initiative, Mississippi Child Care Resource & Referral, and MSU Extension Head Start and Early Head Start. From left are Alyssa Taylor, Felisha Hampton, Sarah Moody, Jamila Taylor, Brooke Spann-Giesen, Liz Thorne and Tara Dickerson. PHOTO: Kevin Hudson | MSU Extension Service

Women’s History: MSU Faculty Book Talk highlights century of women journalists’ experiences
Mississippi State College of Arts and Sciences faculty members are continuing to tackle social issues during Women’s History Month in the 2023-2024 MSU Faculty Book Talk series -- highlighting Pete Smith, associate professor in MSU’s Department of Communication, for the second of three talks this semester. Free to all, Smith’s presentation is Friday [March 22] at 3:30 p.m. in the John Grisham Room of Mitchell Memorial Library. Smith will discuss his book “Birddogs and Tough Old Broads: Women Journalists of Mississippi and a Century of State Politics, 1880s-1980s.” “The MSU Faculty Book Talk series celebrates academic books and the MSU faculty who write them,” said Eric Vivier, MSU associate professor of English and series director.

MSU-Meridian applies for provisional accreditation of hands-on, interactive Simulation Lab
MSU-Meridian has applied for provisional accreditation of Mississippi State University’s Interprofessional Simulation Lab, an interactive, hands-on instruction and testing facility that serves as a bedrock for educating future health care providers. Once gaining provisional approval -- anticipated this spring -- MSU will be the sole university within the state to offer an accredited interprofessional simulation lab, said Alaina Herrington, associate professor of nursing and director of simulation and clinical affairs. Full accreditation is expected in the next two years. The center already is in use to train MSU-Meridian’s 85 students enrolled in the Master of Physician Assistant Studies program. In August it will help train MSU-Meridian’s first cohort enrolled in the 12-month, fast-track Master of Science in Nursing program, Herrington said.

MSU hosts national floriculture conference
Although known for cutting-edge agricultural research and leading the way in world food security efforts, Mississippi State University is no lightweight in researching some of the beautiful things, including colorful flowers and foliage. Floriculture is the cultivation of flowering plants and ornamentals and is a subset of horticulture, the science of cultivating fruits, vegetables and other plants. While not necessary to stave off world hunger or find a cure for cancer, floriculture is a significant industry, and its support is a priority to MSU. In late February, MSU hosted the 2024 National Floriculture Forum, an annual conference held at different locations around the country. This year’s event was held in Biloxi. MSU Extension Service horticulturists Jim DelPrince and Christine Coker coordinated the event.

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Roy Stovall
From cotton and soybeans to cattle and poultry, agriculture covers a broad territory, but it wasn’t the crops or livestock that attracted Roy Stovall to the field. He chose a career in agriculture because of the people. “People who work in ag are typically extremely kind, caring and hard-working -- just the type of people you want to be around,” said Stovall. “I didn’t want to get an animal science degree or an agronomy degree, but I knew I wanted to work in agriculture and be around the people in that field, so that's what led to me getting a degree in agricultural leadership.” Working in a single-agent county, Stovall wears many hats -- from working with 4-H youth and local schools to extending the latest research-backed information to farmers and collecting soil samples.

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Kyla Wilcher
More than 1,600 students apply for one of the 112 coveted spots each year in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or DVM program at Mississippi State University. As an admissions and recruitment coordinator at the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyla Wilcher is one of the first people potential new students meet. “This job gives me the opportunity to meet and reach so many individuals to help them along their journey toward becoming a veterinarian or pursuing additional career goals,” said Wilcher. Before beginning her current role in November 2023, Wilcher taught, advised and recruited students with the CVM Veterinary Medical Technology department and worked in the CVM Animal Health Center as an emergency/critical care certified veterinary technologist.

T.K. Martin Center to benefit from Jersey Mike’s Month, Day of Giving campaigns
Mississippi State’s T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability is partnering with Starkville’s Jersey Mike’s Subs for the national restaurant chain’s 14th annual Month of Giving fundraising campaign. Throughout March, customers may round up the total of their orders as donations at checkout or through Jersey Mike’s mobile app. The campaign will culminate with the Day of Giving on March 27, when 100% of the day’s sales at Starkville’s Jersey Mikes will benefit the center. The restaurant is located at 831 MS-12 Suite A, next to Zaxby's. “We are thrilled to partner with Starkville’s Jersey Mike’s for the third consecutive year,” said Kasee K. Stratton-Gadke, executive director of the Mississippi Institute on Disabilities, which houses the T.K. Martin Center.

Nominations for Zacharias Distinguished Staff Awards due April 1
Mississippi State’s Staff Council is seeking nominations of outstanding employees for the annual Zacharias Distinguished Staff Awards through 11:59 p.m. April 1. Twelve selected honorees will be announced at the annual Junction luncheon, scheduled for 11 a.m. May 17. They will receive a plaque of recognition along with a $1,000 check from MSU President Mark E. Keenum. The honors are a memorial to the university’s 15th president Donald W. Zacharias. To be eligible for the award, nominees must be classified as a professional or support staff employee, be in good standing, work at least half-time, have a minimum of three years of service and have never been a recipient of the award.

2024 Research Award nomination window open through May 10
Nominations for MSU's 2024 Research Awards, sponsored by the Office of Research and Economic Development and the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine, are open through May 10. These awards exemplify MSU's impact and commitment to excellence in research and innovation across a diverse array of disciplines. The Research Awards seek to honor outstanding achievement in the following categories: Ralph E. Powe Research Excellence Award, Mid-Career Research Scholar Award, Emerging Research Scholar Award, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award, Research Professional Award and Research Support Award.

Campus Services launches Bulldog First Impressions contest
Campus Services at Mississippi State has launched the first Bulldog First Impressions contest, which seeks ideas for campus improvement projects. Current MSU students, faculty and staff members may draft written proposals or create short videos outlining campus refresh, redesign or remodeling projects for public spaces and common areas. Entries will be reviewed by Campus Services and judged on their overall impact to the MSU community. The winning submitter will receive up to $25,000 to complete their project. Proposals are due April 1.

Reminder: University policy addresses employee political activity
With campaigning for elected offices underway this year, Mississippi State's Office of General Counsel offers the following reminder of the university’s policy on political activities. There are several basic guidelines that university employees should keep in mind when engaging in any form of political activity. MSU employees are encouraged to review OP 01.14: Political Activities in its entirety and to understand their rights and responsibilities.

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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Extension Service names Deason new Delta region coordinator
The Mississippi State University Extension Service’s Delta region has new leadership. Alex Deason, who has been an MSU Extension agent based in Sunflower County since 2013, started his new role as regional coordinator on March 16. “Alex has all the qualities you want to see in an Extension agent, and this role gives him an opportunity to pass his positive attributes on to other agents in the Mississippi Delta,” said Angus Catchot, director of MSU Extension. “He will be a tremendous asset to our leadership team.” The counties in the Delta Region of MSU Extension include DeSoto, Tate, Tunica, Panola, Quitman, Coahoma, Tallahatchie, Bolivar, Sunflower, Leflore, Grenada, Montgomery, Carroll, Holmes, Humphreys, Washington, Sharkey, Issaquena and Yazoo.

Smith joins MSU-Meridian as associate dean of students
A Mississippi State University graduate with two decades of experience in supporting students personally and academically is the new associate dean of students at MSU-Meridian. In her role, Deanna Smith serves students, their families, faculty, staff and the communities of the College Park and Riley campuses of MSU-Meridian. She hopes to be a beacon of support for MSU-Meridian students, serving as a liaison between students and faculty and alleviating stressors by helping students navigate resources such as housing, meals and counseling, along with other services they might need during difficult times. She was drawn to the position at MSU-Meridian, she said, because it offers a chance to work with a different sector of students.

Sustainable Bioproducts/FWRC's Owens elected to international council
Frank Owens, associate professor in the Department of Sustainable Bioproducts in MSU’s College of Forest Resources, was recently reelected to the Council of the International Association of Wood Anatomists (IAWA). Owens, who is also the current vice president of the Forest Products Society, is the only council member from North America. Owens, who is also a scientist in the MSU Forest and Wildlife Research Center, has worked in the forest products industry for more than a decade in the U.S., Japan and the United Emirates. Rubin Shmulsky, professor and head of the Department of Sustainable Bioproducts, noted Owens’ blend of industry and academic experience make him an ideal fit to serve in the role.

College of Education's Xu among top 2% of cited scientists worldwide
An accomplished Mississippi State professor is among the top-cited scientists globally in the field of education. Jianzhong Xu of the Department of Counseling, Higher Education Leadership, Educational Psychology, and Foundations is listed in Elsevier Data Repository’s latest database of most-cited scientists in the world. “Dr. Jianzhong Xu’s exceptional achievement reflects the pride we feel in having him as part of our department and college at Mississippi State University,” said Daniel Gadke, College of Education associate dean of research, professor and department head. “His research excellence, characterized by humility, kindness and a spirit of collegiality, sets a remarkable example for us all. We are truly honored to have him as a distinguished member of our academic community.”