I hope your summer is going well. While many of you are away from campus this time of year, I still wanted to share a brief update from the Division of Academic Affairs with you.

Robichaux-Davis Named Director of Quality Enhancement Plan

Last week, we were pleased to announce Rebecca Robichaux-Davis as the new director of the university’s next Quality Enhancement Plan, which will feature experiential learning as its core focus. Dr. Robichaux-Davis is exceptionally well qualified to direct our QEP efforts, and I appreciate her answering the call to serve in this important leadership role. Read more at https://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=6655

New Bachelor of Science in Data Science Degree Program Starts this Fall

Now that it has received formal approval from the IHL Board of Trustees, we are looking forward to launching our new Bachelor of Science degree program in data science this fall. We believe this program will meet a number of critical needs by offering students with a course of study they are seeking and providing employers with the highly skilled graduates they need. Read more at https://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=6638

Emeritus Recommendations Due by June 20

I would remind you that recommendations for emeritus status are due by June 20. These recommendations should proceed from the department head through the dean to my office, as outlined in OP 13.01: Emeritus Appointment. Additional information about this process is available at https://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=6642

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:

* Congratulations to Vasabjit Banerjee, an associate professor in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, who has been selected to participate in the Bridging the Gap Project’s International Policy Summer Institute in Washington, D.C. Read more at https://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=6652

* Kudos to Sadik Artunç, professor and head of the Department of Landscape Architecture, who has been honored with the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA) President’s Award. Read more at https://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=6654

* Congratulations to Jervette Ward, a professor in the Department of English, who is now serving as president of the College Language Association. Read more at https://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=6656

* Kudos to Charles Freeman, Jr., an associate professor of fashion design and merchandising in the School of Human Sciences, who has been elected vice president of planning for the International Textile and Apparel Association (ITAA). Read more at https://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=6653

* And a very special congratulations to Nancy Fultz on the occasion of her retirement from the university as director of academic programs support here in the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President. Throughout her remarkable career on our campus, she has been a trusted colleague and dear friend to many. Nancy — thank you! We wish you the very best as you begin this exciting new chapter in your life.

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.