Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

East Central Community College President Brent Gregory, left, and Mississippi State President Mark E. Keenum signed a memorandum of understanding last week to provide a smooth transfer pathway for culinary arts students at the community college to pursue a bachelor’s degree in culinology at the university. “Our university is widely recognized for the innovative degree programs we provide and the collaborative culture we have. This agreement is the perfect example of how we’re working with our partners to give students access to a high-quality academic experience with our world-class faculty and earn a degree that leads to successful and rewarding career opportunities,” Keenum said. PHOTO: Beth Wynn | Public Affairs

MSU unveils mixed-use development featuring boutique hotel, cultural landmark
A comprehensive master plan has been recently completed for a new 15-acre district featuring a boutique hotel, restaurants and retail stores on the land between the MSU campus and the Cotton District, developers announced last week. The Crossroads District will be anchored by a 122-room Marriott Tribute Portfolio hotel. Construction of the hotel is set to begin in October, and plans call for it to open in the summer of 2027. “This transformative project is about creating an exciting, vibrant hub that reflects the spirit of Mississippi State University while providing incredible opportunities for entertainment, innovation, and collaboration,” MSU President Mark E. Keenum said. “We are proud to deliver a development that will serve our students, faculty, staff, alumni, local community, and state of Mississippi for generations to come.”

MSU, Keesler, state leaders break ground on Mississippi Cyber and Technology Center
Leaders from Mississippi State University, the U.S. Air Force, City of Biloxi, and Gov. Tate Reeves broke ground on the future home of the Mississippi Cyber and Technology Center last week, marking a major milestone in the advancement of cybersecurity and innovation in the state. The Mississippi Cyber and Technology Center, a cutting-edge, 100,000-square-foot facility under construction adjacent to Keesler Air Force Base, will serve as the headquarters for the MSU-led Mississippi Cyber Initiative (MCI). The project builds upon a shared vision to enhance cybersecurity capabilities and collaboration across state, federal, academic and industry sectors.

Mississippi State University hosts ASU on Sept. 6 in 2025 home debut with new Junction and Amphitheater tailgating zones<
As excitement builds for Mississippi State University Head Coach Jeff Lebby’s second season leading the Bulldogs, the university is reminding fans about safety precautions and other updates ahead of the Sept. 6 matchup against the Arizona State University Sun Devils. Perhaps the most impactful changes for MSU football fans will be fundamental changes in tailgating zones that will significantly enhance the gameday experience for longtime Bulldog fans and visitors alike in The Junction, MSU’s premier gameday tailgating area and one of the most iconic in the Southeastern Conference. “The safety and security of our university community and visitors is always our primary concern,” MSU Vice President for Strategic Communications Sid Salter said. “We believe these changes will significantly enhance the gameday experience and prioritize gameday safety for many years to come.”

Airport shuttle departure schedule adjusted to meet airline baggage check changes
A 45-minute cutoff for checking baggage with Delta and American airlines has changed the express shuttle times offered by Mississippi State Transportation to Golden Triangle Regional Airport. The GTRA express shuttle now departs The Mill at MSU two hours before flight time and arrives at the airport one and a half hours before flight time. This is 30 minutes earlier than the previous schedule. Shuttle pickups from the Starkville campus and hotels along Highway 12 also can be scheduled with MSU if reservations are made at least 24 hours prior to the requested departure time from these locations. This service is available by emailing GTRShuttle@transportation.msstate.edu or calling 662-325-5204.

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.

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NASA engineer, former Miss Mississippi USA Mitra headlines 2025 MSU Convocation
A two-time Mississippi State graduate helping send mankind to the moon and beyond is the featured speaker at MSU’s Fall Convocation ceremony. Paromita Mitra, the data systems lead for NASA’s Lunar Architecture Team, will greet new freshman students and transfers, and share stories from her time as a Bulldog in the annual tradition kicking off the new academic year. The event, scheduled for Tuesday [Aug. 26] at 6 p.m. at Humphrey Coliseum, will feature additional remarks from MSU President Mark E. Keenum and other senior university administrators, and incoming students will receive the Fall Convocation coin as a memento marking the start of their journeys in higher education. Mitra holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees she received in aerospace engineering from MSU in 2014 and 2018, respectively.

Academic leadership changes in place as new school year begins
The Division of Academic Affairs at Mississippi State University is starting the new academic year with several new senior leadership changes in place. These changes further align administration with the priorities of the Transforming MSU strategic plan, according to the university’s chief academic officer. “We’ve achieved a number of the significant goals we set in our transformational strategic plan, and I believe these changes will ensure continued success,” Provost and Executive Vice President David Shaw said. “Higher education is going through a period of great transformation, and we must be prepared to adapt to the many changes we’re seeing in order to meet the needs of our students and the communities we serve.” The Transforming MSU Strategic Plan: 2023-2028 is guiding the university’s priorities as it prepares to celebrate its sesquicentennial in 2028.

Balakrishnan, Gadke, Marler and Nolen conclude SEC Academic Leadership Development Program as fellows
Mississippi State is honoring four administrators and faculty members who wrapped up their tenures as 2024-2025 Southeastern Conference Academic Leadership Development Program fellows this summer -- a prestigious designation recognizing emerging leaders in higher education. MSU’s 2024-2025 SEC ALDP class includes Bimal Balakrishnan, associate dean and professor in the College of Architecture, Art and Design; Daniel Gadke, associate dean of the College of Education, professor and head of the Department of Counseling, Higher Education Leadership, Educational Psychology and Foundations; Laura Marler, professor and head of the Department of Management and Information Systems within the College of Business; and David Nolen, associate dean and professor, University Libraries.

MSU, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology strengthen global research partnership
Mississippi State University and the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, known as KITECH, are advancing their longstanding relationship with a renewed set of agreements designed to drive joint research, innovation and workforce development in advanced manufacturing and industrial technology. “We are grateful for outstanding international partners like KITECH,” said MSU Vice President for Research and Economic Development Julie Jordan. “These collaborations help us advance key scientific fields and support economic activity at home and abroad.” “As our region continues to see significant investments in manufacturing facilities, we are well-positioned to help manufacturers implement the innovative practices that are being developed in our labs,” MSU Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems Executive Director Clay Walden said.