Arts and Sciences honors outstanding staff members at annual luncheon
College of Arts and Sciences staff members receive awards from Dean Rick Travis. From left, Tracy Wilcox, Michelle Martin, Tonya Young, Dean Rick Travis, Tina Davis, Quintara Miller.
Mississippi State University’s College of Arts and Sciences celebrated the contributions of its staff members during the college’s annual staff luncheon in June at Little Dooey Fellowship Place.
The event serves as an opportunity for college leadership to recognize and thank staff members whose work behind the scenes helps support the teaching, research and service missions of the college. Attendees enjoyed a catered lunch and received commemorative cutting boards embossed with the MSU “State” script logo, provided by a local vendor.
“Behind every successful student experience, research achievement and academic program is a dedicated team of staff members whose efforts often go unseen,” said Dean Rick Travis. “This luncheon is our opportunity to pause and express our gratitude for the people who keep our college running every day. Their professionalism and commitment to serve others are essential to the success of the College of Arts and Sciences, and we are proud to celebrate their contributions.”
During the event, two employees were recognized as the College of Arts and Sciences Staff Members of the Year.
The 2026 Non-Exempt Staff Award was presented to Tracy Wilcox, an administrative assistant in the Department of Physics and Astronomy.
The 2026 Professional Staff Award was presented to Michelle Martin, a business manager in the Department of Geosciences.
The college also recognized recipients of its Staff Mentor of the Year Award for the program’s first three academic years. The award honors staff members who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to mentoring and supporting colleagues.
Recognized recipients included:
-- Tina Davis, an academic advisor in the Center for Advising, 2023–2024 Staff Mentor of the Year
-- Quintara Miller, a business coordinator in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, 2024–2025 Staff Mentor of the Year
-- Tonya Young, a business coordinator in the Department of Chemistry, 2025–2026 Staff Mentor of the Year
Beginning with the upcoming academic year, the college will recognize one Staff Mentor of the Year recipient annually.
For more details about MSU’s College of Arts and Sciences, visit www.cas.msstate.edu.
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Sarah Nicholas | College of Arts and Sciences
