Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Environmental and Industrial Safety Trainer Robert Noah, left, demonstrates proper lockout and tagout practices during the Center for Continuing Education’s Asbestos Inspection and Assessment Initial Training. Housed in the College of Professional and Continuing Studies, CCE and its more than 400 programs provide professionals with certifications and credentials to advance their careers, while also providing enrichment opportunities for lifelong learning. PHOTO: Jared Jones | College of Professional and Continuing Studies

Website provides support, resources for free speech
Mississippi State offers a 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.

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 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.

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.

The Office of Public Affairs provides Maroon MEMO as a general information
resource for Mississippi State University employees.

Web links are subject to change. Submit news, questions or comments to Jim Laird.

Schilling named MSU’s 2025 SEC Faculty Achievement Award winner
Wes Schilling -- a William L. Giles Distinguished Professor in Mississippi State University’s Department of Biochemistry, Nutrition and Health Promotion -- is the university’s 2025 SEC Faculty Achievement Award winner. “Dr. Schilling is a gifted teacher and mentor, a distinguished scholar and a trailblazing scientist who is most deserving of this prestigious recognition. He is equipping young people with the knowledge, skills and experience they need to excel professionally after earning a degree from Mississippi State University,” said MSU President Mark E. Keenum. “His research has an incredible real-world impact and benefits all of us by solving tough agricultural challenges for producers, food companies and consumers.”

Extension's Carter honored for research
An instructor and tourism specialist with the MSU Extension Center for Government and Community Development, or GCD, has been recognized professionally for her contributions to rural sociology. Rachael Carter was honored with the 2025 Excellence in Research Award by the Southern Rural Sociological Association, or SRSA, during its annual meeting in January. The career achievement award credits Carter’s work in advancing the study of rural development in the South and efforts to drive meaningful improvements in rural communities. Carter’s Extension specialties include community development, downtown revitalization, tourism, economics and natural resource policy.

MSU sharpens student success focus, starting with Holmes Center
Mississippi State University (MSU) is embarking on a renewed focus on student success with the renaming of the Holmes Cultural Diversity Center to the Holmes Center for Student Success, subject to formal approval by the State Board of Trustees of Institutions of Higher Learning. “Mississippi State has long been a practitioner of student success as a model of how we operate,” said MSU President Mark E. Keenum. “Our goal has been and will remain to equip our students -- all of our students -- with a high-quality education that will afford them a better and more productive life. This structure reflects who we are and who we’ve been at this university.”