Buys selected for academic affairs administrative fellowship
David Buys
A faculty member in Mississippi State University's Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion is adding a new role to his responsibilities this fall.
Associate Professor David Buys, who also serves as state health specialist with the MSU Extension Service, has started a one-year appointment as an administrative fellow in the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President.
"Dr. Buys is well qualified to assist us as we work to enhance existing programs and create new ones to address our state's critical health care needs," Provost and Executive Vice President David Shaw said. "Our fellowship program also brings a faculty perspective directly into my office, and provides faculty members with an interest in academic affairs administration to see firsthand what we do."
Buys is working with Harold Jones, MSU's interim associate vice provost for health sciences, and Terry Dale Cruse, associate vice president and MSU-Meridian head of campus, to enhance development and coordination of the university's health sciences programs.
“At MSU, we have an important role in addressing health-related needs in communities around our state. I look forward to working with administrators, faculty, and staff across multiple programs at our Meridian campus and to serving as a liaison among our campuses and our Extension infrastructure across the state as we all continue taking care of what matters for all Mississippians,” Buys said.
Mississippi State has a growing portfolio of health sciences programs, including:
-- The Master of Physician Assistant Studies program at MSU-Meridian saw its first class of 18 students graduate last May. The fourth PA cohort will start classes in January 2024.
-- A year-long Accelerated Master of Science in Nursing achieved Phase I approval from the Board of Trustees of the Mississippi Institutions of Higher learning earlier this year. The proposed program is currently progressing toward Phase II approval, which is expected in early 2024. Phase II approval will allow the program to admit students, which could occur as early as Fall 2024.
-- More than 20 students are enrolled this fall in MSU-Meridian’s Doctor of Psychology program, the first doctoral program offered on the Meridian campus.
-- MSU-Meridian has also launched a new Bachelor of Science in health care administration to prepare students for careers in the business side of the industry, including finance, law and regulatory demands.
Since joining the MSU faculty in 2014, Buys has provided community-based health education and training for Extension agents in Mississippi’s 82 counties. He has been a leader on projects to reduce obesity and opioid use, as well as an effort to support mental health among farmers and rural populations. His widely cited research explores the social causes of inequity in health and disease, particularly for people of color and aging adults.
In March, he was named the 2023 overall IHL Diversity Educator of the Year during the board’s annual Diversity and Inclusion Awards ceremony. He also served as co-chair of MSU's Campus Climate Workgroup, which recently partnered with the Division of Access, Diversity and Inclusion to conduct a campus climate survey to better understand and address challenges faced by underrepresented populations on campus. He was also instrumental in achieving MSU’s recent recognition as an Age-Friendly University.
Buys earned degrees from Mississippi College, Auburn University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He is certified through the National Board of Public Health Examiners.
Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters. Learn more at www.msstate.edu.
