Mississippi State University’s newly hooded doctoral graduates step out of historic Lee Hall to embrace their bright futures after last week’s Doctoral Graduation and Hooding Ceremony. The event was one of several significant graduation week activities on campus in Starkville and Meridian. PHOTO: Grace Cockrell | Public Affairs
Bagley names Marufuzzaman department head for Industrial and Systems Engineering
Mississippi State University’s Mohammad Marufuzzaman was recently named the department head of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, after serving as interim since 2024. “I am incredibly excited and honored to have the opportunity to lead and grow this wonderful department,” Marufuzzaman said. “Dr. Marufuzzaman has had a remarkable trajectory in the Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering, from graduate student to tenured faculty member and then interim head,” Dave Ford, dean of the college, said. “This reflects his ability and his deep engagement with the students, staff, faculty, and partners of ISE. I look forward to working with him as the department head going forward.”
DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Nina Davis
Nina Davis has always been drawn to the water, a fascination that started during her childhood near Lake Michigan. But while she loves being close to it, she admits the deep sea still intimidates her. This realization is what helped Davis settle on a career in coastal studies, allowing her to support communities and ecosystems while staying close to the water. As an Extension Associate I with the Mississippi State University Coastal Marine Extension Program, Davis simplifies complex concepts to make them easier to understand and apply. “My passion for making information clear is to help people understand the science behind changes in their communities and take action,” Davis said.
DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Samantha Willcutt
Helping people make healthier decisions is at the heart of Samantha Willcutt’s work as a Regional Registered Dietitian with Mississippi State University Extension. Whether she’s teaching nutrition basics or supporting community wellness programs, Willcutt is passionate about making healthy choices accessible and achievable for Mississippians. “In communities across Mississippi, our mission is to make the healthy choice the easy choice,” she said. Willcutt builds partnerships across the state, offering support and guidance to MSU Extension staff and engaging directly with communities.
Free learning opportunities via LinkedIn Learning available to faculty, staff and students
Sharpen skills. Explore new interests. Increase professional value. These and other results are now available via no-cost learning opportunities to Mississippi State faculty, staff and students through MSU’s agreement with LinkedIn Learning. A popular, online education platform, LinkedIn Learning’s 20,000-plus courses are available to campus via a quick login using their MSU NetID email addresses. With self-paced learning, courses are presented in various formats, including bite-sized video, audio only and in-depth content. The platform is directly integrated with Canvas, the university’s learning management system. MSU faculty can use it to supplement course material or even develop and load their own content onto the platform.
Smoke-free policy enhances healthy environment
Mississippi State University is a smoke-free campus. Official policy prohibits the use of any combustible or vapor products anywhere on campus property including university buildings, university grounds, university vehicles, parking areas and sidewalks. The smoke-free campus policy is part of the university's commitment to creating a healthy environment for all members of the campus community. Use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, pipes, hookah or other similar devices are prohibited by this policy. The complete policy is available at www.policies.msstate.edu/policy/91301.
The Office of Public Affairs provides Maroon MEMO as a general information
resource for Mississippi State University employees.
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