While there’s no denying it’s still summer thanks to the relentless heat and humidity we’ve seen the past few weeks, the start of the fall semester is quickly approaching. We’ve had a busy summer on campus with Summer Advantage classes, Orientation, camps, and lots of construction and paving projects. Signs of growth and progress are all around us, and I think the stage is set for another successful year when classes start on August 17. Please let me take a few minutes of your time for a brief update from the Division of Academic Affairs.

Moyen Named Assistant Vice President for Student Success

I hope you’ve seen the news that Eric Moyen started serving as Mississippi State’s first-ever assistant vice president for student success on July 1. Dr. Moyen is now responsible for operations at the Center for Academic Excellence, formerly the Learning Center, as well as the Center for Advising. Student success is at the heart of everything we do, and I’m pleased we’re taking another step forward with the programs, resources, and people focused on ensuring that our students have the support they need to succeed. Read more at https://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=6665

New Partnership with Italy’s University of Salento

Our international efforts continue to grow with a new partnership between MSU and the University of Salento in Italy. The initial focus will be on digital technology and smart agriculture as we work together to develop solutions to global food supply challenges. I’m pleased to see us launching this new partnership and believe it will provide many opportunities for our faculty and students. Read more at https://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=6683

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 Alex Thomasson, the head of the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering and William B. and Sherry Berry Endowed Chairholder, who will serve as the 2022-23 president-elect of the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology. Read more at https://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=6694

* Congratulations to Vicky Montiel-Palma, an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry, who has been awarded a five-year, $691,886 National Science Foundation CAREER Award for her proposal, “CAREER: Heterobimetallic Complexes for Facile Hydrodenitrogenation Processes with Low Hydrogen Intake.” Read more at https://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=6695

* Kudos to Xiaomin Chen and Ebenezer “Eben” Nyadjro, who are 2022 recipients of the MSU Northern Gulf Institute Research Award. Presented every two years, the award recognizes outstanding research accomplishments by NGI staff. Read more at https://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=6696

* Congratulations to Courtney Thompson, as assistant professor in the Department of History, who has received a summer stipend award from the National Endowment for the Humanities to help fund her research on the history of 19th century medicine. Read more at https://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=6667

* Kudos to Ganesh Karunakaran, a MAFES aquaculture economist and associate research professor, who has been recognized with the Distinguished Early Career Award from the U.S. Aquaculture Society, a chapter of the World Aquaculture Society. Read more at https://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=6670

* Congratulations to Priya Basu, an assistant professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, who is the recipient of the 2022 Early Career Professional Award from the Entomological Society of America, Southeastern Branch. Read more at https://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=6668

Final Words

As always, I welcome your questions, suggestions, comments, and concerns 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.