Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

The Famous Maroon Band marches down Main Street, spreading holiday cheer during Starkville’s downtown Christmas parade last week. The parade also featured decorated floats from local businesses, first responders, community organizations and even Santa Claus. PHOTO: Grace Cockrell | Public Affairs

Rader garners national award for transformative research
Mississippi State Professor Nicole E. Rader is being recognized with a prestigious honor received this semester signifying her contributions to the field of women, gender and crime, particularly her groundbreaking work on fear of crime and victimization. Rader was awarded the 2024 Distinguished Scholar Award by the Division of Feminist Criminology (DFC) -- the largest division of the American Society of Criminology (ASC) -- and was selected for “exemplary scholarship,” specifically her 2023 Temple University Press publication “Teaching Fear: How We Learn to Fear Crime and Why It Matters.” The ASC, an international organization founded in 1941, is dedicated to advancing scientific and professional knowledge related to crime and its prevention, control and treatment.

Twietmeyer named National Association for Kinesiology in Higher Education Fellow
An esteemed faculty member in Mississippi State’s College of Education has been selected as a fellow of the National Association for Kinesiology in Higher Education. Gregg Twietmeyer, associate professor of kinesiology, is among the 2025 NAKHE class of fellows chosen for their contributions to the field and the organization. He will be inducted during the organization’s annual conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in January. “Dr. Gregg Twietmeyer’s recognition as a NAKHE Fellow is a testament to his dedication to advancing the discipline of kinesiology,” said JohnEric Smith, department head. “His contributions to our department through teaching, scholarly work and transformative community programs, such as the iCanBike and Adapted Swim Camp, have enhanced our students’ experiences while addressing real-world needs."

AlZoubi garners NSF grant to pioneer AI-enhanced learning system at MSU
A Mississippi State researcher is receiving a $203,900 grant from the National Science Foundation to develop a novel artificial intelligence-enhanced learning system for engineering education. Dana AlZoubi, assistant clinical professor in MSU’s Department of Industrial Technology, Instructional Design, and Community College Leadership within the College of Education, is the principal investigator of the grant. “We are proud of Dr. AlZoubi’s NSF grant, which exemplifies our commitment to innovative education,” said Vance Durrington, head of MSU’s Department of Industrial Technology, Instructional Design, and Community College Leadership. “By merging AI with human-centered design, her work will transform engineering education and inspire students to connect theory with real-world practice.”

Application window open for university teaching awards
Mississippi State is accepting applications for the 2025 Grisham Master Teacher, Donald Zacharias Early Career Undergraduate Teaching Excellence and the Alumni Association Graduate and/or Professional Teaching Excellence awards. Visit www.provost.msstate.edu/announcements/2024/09/university-teaching-awards for more information and to download documents associated with the submission process. Interested faculty must submit an electronic application in PDF form to the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President via email to grishamaward@provost.msstate.edu by Oct. 27 if their teaching can only be observed in the fall 2024 semester or by Jan. 5 if their teaching can be observed in the spring 2025 semester. All current full-time faculty members at MSU with the required years of service, regardless of rank, are eligible to apply for these awards. Late applications will not be accepted.

Free learning opportunities via LinkedIn Learning available to faculty, staff and students
Sharpen skills. Explore new interests. Increase professional value. These and other results are now available via no-cost learning opportunities to Mississippi State faculty, staff and students through MSU’s new agreement with LinkedIn Learning. A popular, online education platform, LinkedIn Learning’s 20,000-plus courses are available to campus via a quick login using their MSU NetID email addresses. With self-paced learning, courses are presented in various formats, including bite-sized video, audio only and in-depth content. The platform is directly integrated with Canvas, the university’s learning management system. MSU faculty can use it to supplement course material or even develop and load their own content onto the platform.

Website provides support, resources for free speech
Mississippi State has launched a new website dedicated to supporting and promoting freedom of speech and expression within our university. You can access the website at www.freespeech.msstate.edu. This platform has been created to provide accessible resources and guidance to foster a campus environment where open dialogue, respectful debate and diverse perspectives can thrive. All members of the MSU community -- students, faculty and staff -- are encouraged to explore this site and take advantage of the materials and opportunities it offers. Whether you are seeking to deepen your understanding of free speech principles, enhance your ability to engage in thoughtful dialogue or learn more about your rights and responsibilities, this resource is here to support you.

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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Fall commencement coming up Thursday and Friday
Mississippi State fall commencement ceremonies for the university’s Starkville and Meridian campuses are coming up this week. The Starkville campus will host two ceremonies on Friday [Dec. 13] -- 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. -- in Humphrey Coliseum. MSU-Meridian will celebrate commencement Thursday [Dec. 12], 11 a.m. at the MSU Riley Center. MSU President Mark E. Keenum is the university’s featured commencement speaker, and Lewis Fox Mallory Jr., a 1965 MSU College of Business graduate, will be awarded an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree during Starkville’s afternoon ceremony. Those who wish to watch these events remotely can do so via the MSU TV Center’s livestream at www.utc.msstate.edu/mstv, the Mississippi State TV app, and the MSU Facebook page at www.facebook.com/msstate.

MSU shines at public relations Lantern Award ceremony
Mississippi State University faculty, staff and students brought home top awards at the recent Southern Public Relations Federation Lantern Awards ceremony in Biloxi. The Lantern Awards annually recognize outstanding public relations achievements across Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and the Florida panhandle and are categorized into three ranks -- Lantern Awards, Awards of Excellence and Certificates of Merit. In the top category, the Lantern Awards, MSU’s College of Arts and Sciences won twice. In the student category, the top Best of Show was awarded to Glo Cubes: A Bright Campaign, developed by the MSU Department of Communication PRISM class. “Congratulations to all the winners who exemplify the highest standards of excellence in our field,” said SPRF President Kim Foster.

Clinical Psychology Program achieves landmark accreditation, perfect internship match rate
Mississippi State University’s Clinical Psychology Program has earned a landmark achievement widely recognized as the gold standard in the field: a 10-year accreditation from the American Psychological Association. The Ph.D. program’s success extends beyond accreditation, with a 100% match rate for clinical psychology internships through the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers for the past 13 years. The achievement far exceeds the national average -- 86% -- and demonstrates the program’s dedication to preparing students for competitive placements. Ty Stafford, assistant clinical professor and director of clinical training, said accreditation not only enhances the program’s national reputation but also benefits students by boosting their competitiveness for internships and postdoctoral fellowships -- both critical steps toward licensure and career success.

Strength through collaboration and preparation: MSU-led Mississippi Cyber Initiative hosts cyber tabletop exercise on healthcare scenarios
Protection of personal healthcare information is a well-established right for patients, and technology underpins almost every aspect of healthcare operations. But what happens when patient data is targeted by cyber criminals, or ransomware attacks bring hospital operations to a halt? Stakeholders from across the Magnolia State explored those scenarios in Vicksburg recently as the Mississippi State University-led Mississippi Cyber Initiative, or MCI, held a cyber tabletop exercise focused on the healthcare sector. Mississippi Sen. Briggs Hopson said that as an attorney and a state official, he often sees the negative impacts created by cyber incidents such as data breaches and ransomware attacks. He noted that in addition to helping prepare industry and government to face these challenges, efforts like the MCI position the state to grow its technology sector.