I want to begin this month’s letter with a few reminders about upcoming events. I hope many of you will be able to join us for the Spring General Faculty Meeting on Feb. 12 at 2 p.m. in Colvard Student Union’s Fowlkes Auditorium. I’ll provide an Academic Affairs report, and President Mark Keenum, Vice President for Research and Economic Development Julie Jordan, and Vice President for Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine Keith Coble will also share updates. Read more at https://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=7406.

Updates and Answers about Transforming MSU

At the invitation of the university’s transformation management team, I’ll be participating in an informal, online forum about the Transforming MSU strategic plan on Feb. 13 at 2 p.m. I’ll update everyone on where we are in the transformation process and answer your questions. The livestream will be available at https://www.msstate.edu/transformation, where you can also submit any questions you may have. Due to time constraints, I may not get to every question — but I’ll try!

Deans, Associate Deans, and Department Heads Meeting in March

As you may recall, about a year ago, I convened a meeting of our department heads, associate deans, deans, and members of our Academic Affairs leadership team, and we had a very productive discussion about the recognition and promotion of excellence in teaching here at Mississippi State. Bright spots and shortcomings were identified and new ideas were generated. It was a great success, and I believe the additional conversations we’ve had and the changes we’ve implemented since that meeting have enhanced teaching excellence on our campus. We will continue to focus attention in this area. Of course, there are many other issues driving unprecedented change in higher education. On March 22, I’m planning to host another meeting with these academic leaders to discuss several strategic initiatives in Academic Affairs. It will be held from 2-4 p.m. in McCool Hall’s Taylor Auditorium. Invitees will receive additional information in the coming days.

Faculty and Staff Invited to Student Experience Expo on Feb. 28

In cooperation with Academic Affairs, the Division of Student Affairs and the Division of Access, Opportunity and Success are hosting the inaugural Student Experience Expo on Feb. 28 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Bost Conference Center. This special event is a perfect opportunity for faculty and researchers to interact with the many departments in Student Affairs and Access, Opportunity, and Success and explore new opportunities for collaboration, experiential learning options, and shared research interests. This is a come-and-go event. I hope you will take some time to visit the Student Experience Expo at the end of the month as we work together in support of the university’s new Bulldog Experience Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) in providing more opportunities for experiential learning across the curriculum and the institution.

Applications Open for 2024-2025 Community-Engaged Learning (CEL) Fellows Program

Applications are now available for the university's 2024-2025 Community-Engaged Learning (CEL) Fellows program. The CEL Fellows program supports instructional faculty and staff in integrating community-engaged learning into their formal or non-formal teaching. Sponsored by my office and the Center for Community-Engaged Learning, CEL Fellows learn community-engaged learning theory, course design, and pedagogy. Community-engaged learning is a high impact educational practice that improves student engagement, learning and development, social responsibility, and active citizenship. The CEL Fellows program seminar will meet in May 2024. Participants receive a $1,000 course or research development award, peer support, and one-on-one assistance to design a new community-engaged learning course or modify an existing course. Program guidelines and application can be obtained via an email to Michelle Garraway at michelle.garraway@msstate.edu with submissions due by March 1.

Kudos and Congratulations

Every month, I look forward to sharing faculty and staff success stories with you, and here are a few that have crossed my desk recently:

* Kudos to Terry Jayroe, the dean of the College of Education, who has been appointed to serve on the State of Mississippi’s Commission on Teacher and Administrator Education, Certification and Licensure and Development. Read more at https://www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2024/02/msus-jayroe-joins-states-commission-teacher-and-administrator-education.

* Congratulations to Brent Funderburk, William L. Giles Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Art, who is being honored with a 2024 Governor’s Arts Award. Read more at https://www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2024/02/msus-funderburk-receives-governors-arts-award.

* Kudos to Scott Willard, the dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and director of the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES), who was honored with the Mississippi Sweet Potato Council’s Tater Boy Award at the 54th Annual Mississippi Sweet Potato Meeting. Read more at https://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=7413.

* Congratulations to Andrew Rendon, who has been named executive director of Veterans and Military Affairs at MSU. Read more at https://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=7408.

* Kudos to faculty members in the College of Arts and Sciences who were recently awarded Professional Development in Teaching Grants: Cody Fondren, an instructor in the Department of Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures; Evan Kaplan, an instructor in the Department of Biological Sciences; Amanda Patrick, an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry; and Angelle Tanner, an associate professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Read more at https://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=7414.

* Congratulations to Mark Woodrey, a MAFES scientist and associate research professor in the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture, who has been named a fellow of the American Ornithological Society. Read more at https://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=7397.

* Kudos to College of Arts and Sciences faculty members Sidney Creutz, assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry; Scott DiGiulio, assistant professor in the Department of Classical and Modern Language and Literatures; Joseph Emerson, associate professor in the Department of Chemistry; Amanda Patrick, assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry; Jingyi (Catherine) Shi, assistant professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics; Fikriyah Winata, assistant professor in the Department of Geosciences; and Nathan Wisnoski, assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, who were recently awarded funding from the college’s Faculty Seed Funding program, and to Mary Gilbert, assistant professor in the Department of Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures, who was awarded funding through the college’s Race and Racism Research Funding program. Read more at https://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=7415.

* Congratulations to Ray Iglay, an assistant professor in the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture, who has been named a fellow of The Wildlife Society. Read more at https://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=7392.

* And a welcome to John Walters, who has been named director of the university’s Office of Technology Management. Read more at https://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=7409.

Final Words

Thank you for reading this month’s letter. As always, your thoughts, suggestions, questions, and concerns are welcome at david.shaw@msstate.edu.

Hail State!

David

Dr. David R. Shaw is Provost and Executive Vice President at Mississippi State University. His email address is david.shaw@msstate.edu.