Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Mississippi State students and alumni network with employers during the university’s 2026 Spring Career Expo at The Mill Conference Center last week. The event brings companies from a wide variety of industries to campus for the chance to recruit students for internships, co-op positions and full-time career opportunities. Learn more about how the MSU Career Center prepares and connects Bulldogs with their future at www.career.msstate.edu. PHOTO: Zoie Herring | Public Affairs

Rula School's Ramirez-Avila elevated to ASCE fellow status
John J. Ramirez-Avila, an associate professor, graduate coordinator, and head of the Watersheds and Water Quality Research Lab in the Richard A. Rula School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Mississippi State University, has been named a fellow by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Board of Direction. This recognition highlights his contributions to watershed and stormwater management, hydrologic modeling, and water quality protection through research, teaching, and professional service, which have contributed to the development of regional and national standards in water resources engineering. Within ASCE-EWRI, he has played key leadership roles.

MSU International Fiesta to hold interest meetings for potential performers, vendors
Those interested in participating in this spring’s 34th annual International Fiesta at Mississippi State University are encouraged to attend one of two interest meetings this month. The first meeting is Feb. 16 at 4 p.m., with the second one set for Feb. 20 at 11:30 a.m. Both are in Old Main Academic Center, Room 1030, 560 Barr Ave. The sessions are hosted by MSU’s Center for Student Activities, and attendance is a must for those wanting to participate as performers and booth vendors. The International Fiesta, scheduled for April 11 at 11 a.m., has grown over the years to become one of MSU’s largest events, attracting hundreds of students, employees, local community members and visitors from across the state and region.

MSU Riley Center unveils 2026 Spring/Summer Performing Arts Series
A dynamic lineup of iconic and acclaimed artists will take the stage as Mississippi State’s Riley Center for Education and Performing Arts announces its 2026 Spring/Summer Performing Arts Series. The five-show season, which runs March through June, features artists whose influence spans genres and generations. The series includes legendary hitmaker Billy Ocean, blues and rock duo Tab Benoit’s Swampland Jam & Samantha Fish, pop icon Air Supply, bluegrass legend Alison Krauss & Union Station and a powerhouse evening with Atlanta Rhythm Section, Firefall, Orleans and Pure Prairie League. Season tickets for the upcoming series are on sale now, with prices ranging from $245 to $615 for VIP seating. Individual tickets go on sale to the general public Feb. 9, with prices varying by artist and seat location.

MSU AI Community: Join the conversation!
Mississippi State University is taking steps to advance artificial intelligence adoption across campus. Whether you’re a researcher, educator, or staff member, these resources are designed to help you learn, collaborate, and stay informed about AI initiatives at MSU. The AI Innovation Hub SharePoint Site is your one-stop hub for AI-related learning opportunities, workshops, user guidance, industry news, tips, and updates. It's available at https://mstate.sharepoint.com/sites/AIInnovationHub. You can also connect through the MSU AI Community Teams Site. If you have any questions about AI at MSU, please contact Senior Advisor for AI and Data Governance Julie Jordan at julie.jordan@msstate.edu.

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 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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Moroccan Ambassador Amrani visits MSU, supporting decade-long education alliance with Université Internationale de Rabat
Youssef Amrani, Ambassador of Morocco to the U.S., visited Mississippi State University last Friday [Feb. 6] in support of the longtime partnership between MSU and his country’s Université Internationale de Rabat. Amrani was present for the signing of multiple education agreements between both university presidents, MSU’s Mark E. Keenum and UIR’s Noureddine Mouaddib. Amrani, who has served his country as Ambassador to the U.S. since 2023, also visited with MSU-UIR engineering students and alumni while on campus. Keenum said MSU enjoys a “rich relationship” with UIR. In addition, Keenum and Mouaddib signed three execution agreements, signifying the mutual establishment of dual degree programs.

Swalm School of Chemical Engineering director’s suite named for former dean
Mississippi State University’s Bagley College of Engineering and the Dave C. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering announced the naming of the school’s director’s suite in honor of former engineering dean Jason M. Keith. The dedication recognized Keith’s leadership and long-standing contributions to engineering education, faculty development and student success within the college and MSU. “Dean Jason Keith’s leadership shaped generations of engineering students and strengthened our college in lasting ways,” said Bennett Evans, director of development for the Bagley College of Engineering. “Naming the director’s suite in his honor is a fitting tribute to his commitment, vision and service. It reflects the deep appreciation our alumni and advisory council have for the impact he made during his tenure.”

Burger takes helm of faculty recognition with new director role
A Mississippi State wildlife, fisheries and aquaculture associate teaching professor is leading university efforts to enhance visibility, recognition and advancement of faculty across all colleges. Leslie Burger is MSU’s first director of faculty recognition -- a new role created to provide operational leadership for the university’s faculty recognition framework, including awards pipelines, nomination processes, communications and analytics. The position is a 25% appointment, allowing Burger to continue her teaching, research and advising roles within the College of Forest Resources. Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Jim Dunne said Burger will serve as the primary architect and manager of all processes, workflows and campus coordination efforts associated with faculty recognition.

Brown earns PRSA outstanding educator award
Mississippi State’s Karyn Brown is the recipient of the Alabama Public Relations Society of America’s Outstanding Educator Award, one of the organization’s highest honors recognizing excellence and influence in public relations education. Alabama PRSA extends this award to educators whose impact reaches beyond state lines through professional service, mentorship and student engagement across the region, and serves as the local chapter for several Mississippi practitioners. The award recognizes Brown’s decades-long impact on the profession through teaching, mentorship and leadership, as well as her commitment to preparing students to lead with integrity and strategic skill. An MSU faculty member for more than 30 years in the Department of Communication, Media and Theatre, Brown now serves as assistant dean.