Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

President Mark E. Keenum last week congratulated William L. Giles Distinguished Professor Emeritus of History and Ulysses S. Grant Association Executive Director Emeritus John Marszalek on the completion of his work on “The Memoirs of General William Tecumseh Sherman: The Complete Annotated Edition.” An award-winning historian, author and lecturer and member of MSU’s faculty for nearly three decades, Marszalek presented Keenum with a copy of the book, set to be released on Tuesday [Sept. 23]. Pictured are Grant Presidential Library and Museum Managing Editor Louis Gallo (from left), Keenum, Marszalek and MSU Libraries Associate Dean for Archives and Special Collections David Nolen. Gallo and Nolen worked with Marszalek on the new edition. PHOTO: Emily Grace McCall | Public Affairs

Poultry Science's Adhikari earns national teaching award
A leading organization in poultry science is recognizing a Mississippi State faculty member for teaching excellence. Pratima Adhikari, MSU Department of Poultry Science associate professor, recently received the Poultry Science Association’s NOVUS Outstanding Teaching Award. The award, sponsored by NOVUS, an international company that provides science-based nutrition for the poultry industry, recognizes exceptional achievement in the classroom, commitment to professional growth and leadership within the industry. Since joining MSU in 2017, Adhikari has mentored more than 35 undergraduates, nine graduate students and three visiting scholars. She has served on 16 graduate committees and currently guides four doctoral students and one master’s student.

Jha earns national early career award for contributions to agronomy
One of crop science’s most respected professional societies is recognizing a Mississippi State faculty member as an outstanding early career agronomist. Prakash Jha, MSU Department of Plant and Soil Sciences assistant professor, will receive the American Society of Agronomy’s Early Career Award at the ASA, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America’s joint meeting set for Nov. 9-12 in Salt Lake City, Utah. “This award is especially meaningful because it reflects not only my contributions but also the collaborative efforts of my mentors, colleagues and students who have supported me along the way,” said Jha, also a scientist in the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station.

Bulldog athletes join Wednesday's launch of humanities series on mind-body connection
The Mississippi State University Institute for the Humanities kicks off its 2025-2026 lecture series with “The Great Balancing Act: Student-Athletes at Mississippi State,” a roundtable discussion scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday [Sept. 24] at the Duff Center Auditorium. Free and open to the public, the event will feature MSU Athletic Director Zac Selmon, several Bulldog student-athletes and Institute Director Morgan Robinson as they explore how academic and athletic commitments shape one another. The theme of this year’s lecture series is “The Mind-Body Connection: How Movement Makes Us Human,” and Robinson, associate professor of history, said it will “highlight movement as a central part of the human experience, from the philosophy of thinking while we walk and the cognitive effects of physical activity to the role of sports in society.”

Mississippi’s only graduate construction degree program launches at MSU
A new Master of Science in Construction Management degree at Mississippi State will further prepare students for leadership roles in today’s construction industry as the state’s only graduate degree in construction management. Recently approved by the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and housed in the MSU Department of Building Construction Science, the program’s master’s degree students can opt for one of two tracks -- a research or professional track tailored to the diverse needs of professionals in the architecture, engineering and construction sectors. Interim Vice Provost Angi Elsea Bourgeois, who served as dean of the College of Architecture, Art and Design since 2018, said she is extremely proud of the faculty and leadership who opened new pathways for those looking to participate in the construction profession’s growth.

MSU, UNG collaboration launches 2+2 poultry science program
Mississippi State University and the University of North Georgia are expanding educational opportunities in poultry science and opening new doors for graduates in a field needing young professionals. MSU President Mark E. Keenum and UNG Provost Chaudron Gille recently signed a memorandum of agreement which states students who have earned an appropriate associate degree from UNG’s agriculture-poultry science program may transfer their coursework seamlessly to MSU’s undergraduate poultry science program -- one of just six U.S. universities offering degrees in poultry science. “We are proud to work together with great partners like UNG to support the poultry industry, which is vital to our state, region and nation," Keenum said.

MSU provides free training for aspiring machinists via America’s Cutting Edge partnership
Mississippi State is providing free training to the public through its partnership with America’s Cutting Edge, a national initiative addressing the growing need for skilled workers in the machining and machine tool industry. The ACE program, a collaboration between the public-private Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation and the U.S. Department of Defense and Department of Energy, was launched in 2020 as a free machine-training curriculum. The program’s focus is to reestablish America’s leadership in the machining industry through transformative thinking, technology innovation and workforce development

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MSU named ‘Great College to Work For’ for 10th consecutive year
For the tenth consecutive year, Mississippi State is being honored as an exemplary employer by the Great Colleges to Work For recognition program. The latest results released last Friday [Sept. 19] in a special insert of The Chronicle of Higher Education are based on feedback from MSU employees. “It is a great honor to once again achieve Great Colleges to Work For status. This recognition reflects the voices of our world-class faculty and staff who contribute to the success of our mission of teaching, research and service every day. They help make Mississippi State University such a special place to build a meaningful career,” MSU President Mark E. Keenum said. “I’m honored to call them colleagues, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to work together with them to prepare our students for success, serve our communities and make Mississippi the best it can be.”

MSU announces 2025 Research Awards finalists
Mississippi State University is recognizing excellence in research and innovation with the 2025 Research Awards. The annual program honors those who contribute significantly to MSU's research mission and allows colleges and centers to recognize and reward students, faculty and support staff for their accomplishments, research and creative endeavors. The Research Award program is intended to increase awareness of MSU research programs and capabilities. The Research Awards program is sponsored by the MSU Office of Research and Economic Development and the university’s Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine. The award winners -- including the Ralph E. Powe Award for Research Excellence honoree -- will be announced during an Oct. 8 campus banquet.

Spencer named director of ACCESS Program and Specialized College Services
Mississippi State’s Jordan Spencer is now the director of the university’s ACCESS Program and Specialized College Services, a new unit that expands MSU’s support to students with intellectual, developmental and neurodiverse needs. Spencer oversees this unit, housed in the Mississippi Institute on Disabilities, that brings together the ACCESS Program and the expansion of unique programming for neurodiverse college students. It now incorporates the Autism Liaisons Program, focused on the success of degree-seeking students on the autism spectrum, and expands iREACH, a formalized program for neurodiverse students to build skills in self-advocacy, socialization and employment. Spencer stepped into the role after serving as interim director in recent months.

MSU Staff Council announces 2025-2026 campus representatives
Thirty employees from all areas of campus are representing their fellow coworkers this year on the Mississippi State Staff Council. The 2025-2026 group represents every university division and serves as the primary conduit between staff and MSU leadership. Specifically, the advisory committee provides a forum for staff to discuss their roles in the university system; advises administration on staff matters relating to the implementation of new policies, procedures and programs; recommends changes in existing policies; and serves as a resource for staff nominations to university committees. Additionally, it oversees the Staff Education and Development Scholarship, a stream of financial assistance to employees seeking professional development opportunities.