Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

The MSU Police Department and Division of Student Affairs recently celebrated the career and retirement of Migel, left, one of the university’s first K9 officers, who has faithfully served for nearly 12 years alongside Sgt. Patrick Jenkins. Migel’s retirement party also served as the swearing-in ceremony for his successor, Padi, right, who will follow in his footsteps as she accompanies Jenkins on duty going forward. Migel, a German Shepherd and Malinois cross, will live out the remainder of his life at home as a member of the Jenkins family. He also will continue to remain under the care of MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine, which is treating him for degenerative myelopathy. Jenkins said Migel has assisted with approximately 1,500 safety checks and explosive clearings conducted prior to sporting and other special events while on campus and assisting other law enforcement agencies. PHOTO: Emily Grace McCall | Public Affairs

Center for Academic Excellence receives internationally recognized certification for tutor-training efforts
Mississippi State’s Center for Academic Excellence is now a Level 1-certified tutor-training program as recognized by the international College Reading and Learning Association. The certification, which runs through July 2027, reflects the CAE’s commitment to developing a tutor-training program that meets rigorous CRLA standards for tutor selection, training, direct service and evaluation. “The CRLA sets the standard for peer-training programs, and this certification speaks to how our tutors have been trained to meet those high standards,” said Zoë Holifield, CAE tutoring coordinator. Approximately 30 student tutors work with MSU undergraduates each semester. Last year, more than 6,000 Bulldogs received CAE support through its various outreach initiatives.

First line of defense: USDA funding MSU’s fight against destructive plant pests
Mississippi State University will continue leading the defense against destructive pests and diseases threatening farms and forests thanks to funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Approximately $667,000 is supporting multiple Mississippi-based initiatives through MSU’s Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, or MAFES, including diagnostic screening, youth education and citizen science programs. “This is the first line of defense for invasive insects across the Eastern U.S.,” said JoVonn Hill, professor and scientist in MAFES. “We screen millions of insects each year to protect both agriculture and forests.”

Upcoming part-time jobs fair links students to positions across campus, community
The Mississippi State Career Center is sponsoring a part-time jobs fair for students seeking positions on campus and in the surrounding community. The event, scheduled for 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 22 in Colvard Student Union’s Foster Ballroom, will feature employers seeking students for part-time, volunteer and research positions. If you or any of your reporting units are anticipating an opening for a student worker, research assistant or graduate assistant, please consider participating in this event. More than 800 students attended last year’s event looking for employment, which serves as a great way to connect to the university’s QEP efforts. The deadline to register is Aug. 13. Departments can register by visiting https://msstate-csm.symplicity.com/events/PartTimeFA25.

MSU Lyceum Series season ticket renewals available, ticket sales begin July 1
Mississippi State’s 78th annual Lyceum Series promises to delight throughout its upcoming season, bringing the Magnolia State’s own Grammy-winning blues guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Christone “Kingfish” Ingram to the stage this December. Season ticket renewals opened June 9, ushering in a dynamic 2025-26 lineup featuring an eclectic mix of world-class music, theater and dance performances. New season and mini-series ticket sales for the season’s six-part series go on sale July 1, while individual tickets are available starting Aug. 20. The season opens Sept. 26 with Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book.” This Theatre MSU play adaptation takes place at 7 p.m. in McComas Theatre.

MSU Riley Center announces 2025-26 Fall and Winter Performing Arts Series
An adventurous array of musical artists is set to excite audiences during Mississippi State’s Riley Center for Education and Performing Arts 2025-26 Fall and Winter Performing Arts Series. The six-concert season begins in August and runs through January 2026. It welcomes a stellar lineup of artists whose influence spans genres and generations. “Each artist brings a unique energy to the stage, promising unforgettable experiences for our audiences,” said Morgan Dudley, Riley Center director. Dudley said the MSU Riley Center thanks The Riley Foundation, The Phil Hardin Foundation, MSU and Friends of the Lady members, whose continued support helps make these shows possible.

Airport shuttle departure schedule adjusted to meet airline baggage check changes
A 45-minute cutoff for checking baggage with Delta and American airlines has changed the express shuttle times offered by Mississippi State Transportation to Golden Triangle Regional Airport. The GTRA express shuttle now departs The Mill at MSU two hours before flight time and arrives at the airport one and a half hours before flight time. This is 30 minutes earlier than the previous schedule. Shuttle pickups from the Starkville campus and hotels along Highway 12 also can be scheduled with MSU if reservations are made at least 24 hours prior to the requested departure time from these locations. This service is available by emailing GTRShuttle@transportation.msstate.edu or calling 662-325-5204.

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.

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Mississippi State to launch AI initiative powered by Amazon Web Services
Mississippi State University has announced a groundbreaking campus-wide AI initiative, powered by Amazon Web Services, becoming the only university in Mississippi, and the first in the Southeastern Conference, to implement AWS’s artificial intelligence services to enhance engagement with prospective students, alumni, and supporters. “As Mississippi’s leading research university, we take pride in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics -- along with high-performance computing, data science, cybersecurity studies, agriculture and forestry, and business,” said MSU President Mark E. Keenum. “From that standpoint, this exciting partnership with a world-class organization like AWS is a great fit for the MSU community.” “This is a bold step forward in how we connect with present and future Bulldogs,” said MSU Vice President for Strategic Communications Sid Salter.

Coble receives prestigious Farm Foundation R.J. Hildreth Public Policy Award
Farm Foundation has selected Keith Coble, vice president of the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine (DAFVM) at Mississippi State University, as the recipient of the 2025 R.J. Hildreth Public Policy Award, presenting him with the honor at its July 17 annual meeting. “All of us at MSU are proud of Dr. Coble’s well-deserved recognition from this distinguished organization,” said MSU President Mark E. Keenum. “Keith’s long and productive career as an agricultural economist and as an educator is certainly worthy of such recognition.” Coble’s career exemplifies the land-grant mission of learning, research and service. A first-generation college graduate who grew up on a livestock farm in southern Missouri, he has maintained strong connections to agricultural communities while advancing policy research and education.

Anthony revises Mississippi history textbook for middle, high school students
As students return to classrooms this fall, a new textbook revised by a Mississippi State veteran educator sheds new light on the Magnolia State’s history. Kenneth Anthony, professor and head of MSU’s Department of Teacher Education and Leadership, is the co-author of “Mississippi: Our History, Our Home,” the most recent Mississippi history textbook adopted by the state for middle and high school students. The Clairmont Press book is a revision of the late David Sansing’s 2013 textbook, “A Place Called Mississippi.” “It’s important to revise history textbooks because over time, we have more information about the past and our understanding of events changes,” Anthony said.

Parisi named SOS Children’s Villages International board chair
A Mississippi State data science specialist known across the globe for his work is now the chair of an international organization supporting children without parental care. Domenico “Mimmo” Parisi, a professor of sociology who serves as MSU’s Data Science program’s executive director, was named chair of the board for SOS Children’s Villages International on July 1. Originally founded in 1949 as the Societas Socialis, or SOS, in Austria, the Global Federation of SOS Children’s Villages International has supported almost 4 million youth in the last 70 years through programs adapted to contextual and cultural needs in more than 130 countries and territories.