Registration is required: https://msstate. libcal.com/event/12763160
Last Day for thesis/ dissertation defense for Fall 2024
Oct. 18
Online Thesis and Dissertation Formatting Workshop, Regular Session
Oct. 22
Registration is required for this event: https://msstate.libcal.com/event/12763312
Wellness WednesdayPumpkin Patch
Oct. 23
12:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
The Farm at Starkville
The Graduate School
Halloween Open House
Oct. 31
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. 617 Allen Hall
Last Day for initial submission of theses/ dissertations to the Library for December 2024 graduation. Nov. 1
Student must be enrolled in LIB 9010 and complete the entire initial submission process to qualify.
2024 3MT Preliminary Round
Nov. 13
Morning 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
fternoon 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Union Ballroom U
2024 3MT Final Round
Nov. 14
1:00 - 2:30 p.m. Union Ballroom U
GSA - General Body Meeting Nov. 21
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
The Graduate School Fall Tailgate
Nov. 23
Equipping Future
Entrepreneurs
Dec. 1 - Jan. 31
Registration
Last day for obtaining approval of formatting and to complete the requirements for December 2024 graduation
Dec. 6
Doctoral Graduation and Hooding Ceremony (Ph.D. & Ed.D.)
Dec. 12
4:00 p.m.
Bettersworth Auditorium, Lee Hall
A Special Thanks to Our Newsletter Team
This newsletter wouldn’t be possible without the creativity, hard work, and passion of our amazing team. From writing and editing to design and making sure everything comes together smoothly, we’re lucky to have such a dedicated group behind the scenes. A huge thank you to Dr. Shelton, Eric Abbott, Lauren Benton, our entire Graduate School team, and the Mississippi State University campus partners who help support and showcase our graduate community. Your contributions make this newsletter—and our community—stronger.
WELCOME NOTE FROM INTERIM DEAN
Dear Colleagues and Friends of the Graduate School,
As we welcome this new academic year in, I am honored and humbled to serve Mississippi State University in the role of interim Dean of the Graduate School. Dr. Peter Ryan has left very large shoes to fill, and I appreciate his dedication and enthusiasm for his role these last six years.
This opportunity provides me the chance to work alongside and serve the needs of the highly dedicated individuals working in graduate education at Mississippi State: Our students, both new and returning, in their programs of study, anxious to learn, grow, and contribute to the knowledge and discovery of their disciplines; Our excellent graduate faculty, guiding and mentoring as they create new knowledge and expand our understanding of their fields; Our graduate coordinators and staff who work tirelessly to support our programs and our students, as well as to do the important and often invisible work that is needed to keep everyone on track and our operations moving smoothly.
In this role, I am learning every day, and I want to assure each of the stakeholders that I am here to support your needs, answer your questions, and provide the necessary guidance for the success of graduate studies across the university. Please do not hesitate to reach out to discuss any needs, ideas, concerns or simply to chat about our shared endeavors as a part of graduate education at Mississippi State University.
I am looking forward to learning more and getting the opportunity to support your needs.
All the best,
Dr. Angi Bourgeois Interim Dean The Graduate School
SAY HELLO
Staff Spotlight
Meet
DR. ANGI BOURGEOIS
My name is Angi Elsea Bourgeois, and I have been at Mississippi State since 2002. I began my career as an assistant professor teaching art history courses for the Department of Art and broader university general education curriculum. My scholarship focuses on the reconstruction of the lost fresco cycle from the first cloister of Santa Maria sopra Minerva for the reformed Dominican Order in Rome. These frescoes and their patron, Cardinal Juan de Torquemada, play an important role in the development of spiritual imagery for both religious and lay audiences in the early Renaissance.
In addition to my new role as interim Dean of the Graduate School, I was named Dean of the College of Architecture, Art,
& Design in 2018. Prior to that, I served as the Head of the Department of Art. My favorite part about working for MSU is the strong community and sense of family that runs through the university at every level. My key priorities and goals for my time as interim Dean would be primarily to serve the needs of our students first, then support the excellent efforts of the dedicated staff of the Graduate School, be responsive to the needs of our academic program partners, and to help develop a collective vision for the future of graduate education and the leadership of the Graduate School moving forward.
When I began my academic career at MSU some 22 years ago, I never consider leadership or administration in my future. However, MSU’s land grant mission that is underscored by a service-oriented mindset was a natural fit to my own desire to help in the mission of the organization. My family raised me to proactively look for ways to help, never wait to be asked, and that has been a good fit for my approach to taking on leadership roles that over time has led me to my current positions. When it comes to my approach to graduate education, on the other hand, I draw on the drive toward excellence that is the basis of the pursuit of knowledge. Seeing that energy and
drive for discovery, in all of its forms, is something that keeps me excited about my roles in higher education.
My best advice for graduate students is to think about why they are doing this and be open to how the path reveals itself. Goal setting is important, but it is also a tremendous value to consider every opportunity that comes your way. While always keeping an eye on your ultimate goal, let the path open up in front of you—it may lead you to a place or position you hadn’t previously considered.
When I’m not at work, I am usually spending time with my family. During the pandemic, I watched a lot of the Great British Baking Show, so I’ve been more adventurous in my baking. I also enjoy handicrafts, particularly crochet. Lately I’ve been challenging myself to move away from blankets and to try my hand at crocheted figures. It’s a lot of fun and allows me to switch out of work mode.
Dr. Angi Bourgeois
Interim Dean, The Graduate School at MSU
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
A Mississippi State University graduate student whose work benefitted the Mississippi Repository for Missing and Unidentified Persons is the recipient of a prestigious National Science Foundation fellowship.
said Smith-Escudero, a native of Laredo, Texas. “As NSF reviewers noted, not only will my project have a positive impact on Mississippi, but by bringing my insight as a bilingual BIPOC individual to forensic anthropology, I have the potential to help
Written by Meg Henderson | Photo by Grace Cockrell
A Mississippi State sustainable bioproducts student is one of only four graduate students in the country to receive a summer fellowship from the Electrochemical Society.
Ridwan Ayinla, a doctoral student in the College of Forest Resourctes, will use the $5,000 ES award to expand his research into green batteries and supercapacitors powered by biomass—the harnessing and storing of energy from agricultural waste products.
“Lithium, a finite element, is the active material used in conventional battery design. Our lab is interested in creating active materials from forest product waste that will provide sustainable and complementary material alternatives for batteries and supercapacitors,” he said. “I’m looking forward to taking on a student assistant in the lab this summer and gaining that leadership experience. The award is also an incredible honor because I was competing against students from Ivy League schools, and it confirms that my research is sound and that we are conducting world-class research at MSU’s Forest and Wildlife Research Center.
“I am incredibly grateful for my advisor, Dr. El Barbary Hassan, and the department head, Dr. Rubin Shmulsky, who have supported me
relentlessly,” Ayinla added. “They believe in me, they listen to me, and they support and guide my research.”
Originally from Afon, Kwara State, Nigeria, Ayinla received his bachelor’s degree from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology in his home country and was awarded the Petroleum Technology Development Scholarship to pursue his master’s degree from University Teknologi PETRONAS in Malaysia. He was invited to apply to MSU’s graduate program in chemistry, and after graduating with a master’s degree, he enrolled in the sustainable bioproducts doctoral program.
Since 1928, the Electrochemical Society has granted a small number of highly competitive fellowships to support the research of graduate students working in a field of interest to the society. To learn more about the summer fellowship program, visit electrochem.org/ summer-fellowships.
For more information on the Department of Sustainable Bioproducts in MSU’s College of Forest Resources, visit www.bioproducts. msstate.edu. For more on the MSU Forest and Wildlife Research Center, visit www.fwrc. msstate.edu.
After an early morning high school football practice, Alex Mangialardi went to his family’s farm in Shelby with one instruction from his dad: chop out the pigweeds.
Fast forward a few years, and Mangialardi, now a doctoral candidate at Mississippi State University, is still combating weeds, but in a more scientific way. He is focused on managing Palmer amaranth, also known as pigweed, a prolific weed that plagues the South.
Genetic modifications have helped control the weed, so while Mangialardi’s days of handpicking weeds are over, he continues to fight weeds through his agronomy studies, specializing in weed science.
Alex Mangialardi
His mentor, Jason Bond, a weed scientist with the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station and MSU research/extension plant and soil sciences professor at the Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville, has been instrumental in his development.
Bond highlights the uniqueness of Mangialardi’s experience, noting that he will earn all three of his degrees from MSU.
“In any operation, there’s a progression from being not quite aware of everything that’s going on to being aware of everything, and Alex has worked through all those steps, and now he can do anything I can do, and I think that’s the way
Written by Laura Smith |
Mangialardi
Photo by Laura Smith
that’s supposed to work, particularly when you’ve finished two degrees in one place,” Bond said. “He is very effective and very capable.”
Mangialardi’s educational journey began at Ole Miss, seeking a biology degree and hoping to work in healthcare, but after two years he returned to his roots…agriculture. He worked at the station in Stoneville over the summer, earning his bachelor’s degree in agronomy in 2019.
Under Bond’s mentorship, Mangialardi focused on controlling failed stands of corn and soybean and received his master’s degree from MSU in 2022. Now, as he works toward his third MSU degree, hoping for a May 2025 graduation,
he’s focused on finding solutions to control Palmer amaranth without the common herbicide paraquat.
Preliminary findings are promising, with other products working efficiently when used correctly. While his background on the family farm instilled unique skills, the intricacies of agricultural research were new to him.
“When I first began, I didn’t realize everything that goes into growing a crop on a day-to-day basis,” he said. “I didn’t realize all the little tasks that go into research. That was probably the biggest thing for me: all the tedious work that goes into it.”
Managing those nuances makes Mangialardi an asset to MSU’s weed science program, Bond said.
“A weed science program is not crop specific, so you learn how to grow all those crops,” Bond said. “If you’ve never been around cotton, you will learn something about growing cotton, because in weed science, everything happens at the first part of the year, so you’ll watch all the stages of the plant.”
For Mangialardi, his education and future career tie back to his days helping his family.
“Jason does a good job building programs for growers, and I just hope my work will help people like my dad and other growers who need problem solvers,” Mangialardi said.
Balancing RESEARCH & RHYTHM
An MSU Graduate Student’s Journey in Quantum Computing
By Lauren Benton | Photo submitted
For Luis Sanchez, a Mississippi State University graduate student, pursuing a master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering is more than just a step toward a career—it is a passion rooted in a desire to be at the forefront of technological advancements. Now in his second year of grad school, Sanchez is focused on exploring how classical algorithms can work alongside quantum computing, aiming to find solutions that today’s technology can’t handle yet.
“I’ve always been fascinated by the way technology shapes our world,” Sanchez shares. This fascination grew during his undergraduate years at MSU, where he first discovered his love for the complexities of electrical and computer engineering. Interactive projects and exposure
to groundbreaking concepts cemented his decision to continue his academic journey in graduate school, where he is now exploring task scheduling in heterogeneous computing systems. His current research focuses on the potential of quantum algorithms to tackle challenges that traditional computing can’t solve. “Quantum computing holds so much promise—it’s exciting to think about how it might change the future of computation.”
Choosing to stay at Mississippi State for his master’s degree was an easy decision. As an undergraduate, Sanchez built strong connections with professors and found the campus community to be welcoming and supportive. “MSU has a fantastic engineering program, and the research
Luis Sanchez, a graduate student in electrical and computer engineering, balancing his love for research and music as a member of the Famous Maroon Band.
opportunities here are unmatched,” he says. Graduate school has only confirmed that he made the right choice. With strong support and plenty of resources, Sanchez has been able to fully immerse himself in his research while also enjoying the close-knit community that first brought him to Starkville.
One of his favorite courses so far has been Sensor Processing for Autonomous Vehicles, where he had the chance to work on real-world applications of machine learning. “The class was hands-on and interactive, which I loved,” he recalls. From simulating environments for autonomous vehicles to tackling sensor fusion problems, the course allowed him to see firsthand how theory translates into practical innovation. “It was just fun to learn about how all of it works.”
But his life at MSU extends beyond the lab. As a longtime member of the Famous Maroon Band, Luis has found a second family among his fellow musicians. “Playing on Scott Field in front of thousands of fans is an incredible experience, but the best part of being in the band is the people I’ve met,” he says. From game days to travel, the memories he has made with the band are some of his most cherished. Now, as a graduate assistant with the band, he helps manage rehearsals and performances, balancing this leadership role with his academic responsibilities. “Being a GA has taught me a lot about time management and working under pressure—skills that have definitely helped in my research.”
Of course, the path through graduate school is not without its challenges. Balancing research deadlines with academic commitments has tested his ability to manage time effectively, but with clear priorities and support from his advisors, Sanchez has learned how to
navigate the workload. “There were moments when it felt overwhelming, but setting clear goals and communicating with my advisors really helped.”
One of the highlights of his graduate career so far has been having a research paper accepted at the prestigious Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE Photonics) conference. The paper, which he co-authored, was the product of months of hard work, and being chosen to present it in Canada was a defining moment. “It was my first time flying, and traveling alone was a bit daunting, but it was an incredible experience,” he says. Presenting his work at the University of Waterloo and meeting experts in the field was a moment of pride and a significant milestone in his academic journey. “That trip—and presenting my research—was definitely one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had.”
Looking to the future, Sanchez’s aspirations are as ambitious as his research. He envisions himself working in the field of machine learning or power systems, ideally in a role that pushes the boundaries of computing and automation. “I’d love to work on projects that have a real impact on how we think about technology,” he says. Whether it is optimizing decision-making in autonomous systems or integrating renewable energy into smart grids, he is eager to be part of the next wave of innovation.
When asked what advice he would give to incoming graduate students, Sanchez offers a thoughtful perspective: “Embrace the challenges, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.” He stresses the importance of building a support system and making time for personal life, hobbies, and social activities. “Graduate school is demanding, but it’s also an opportunity to explore your passions. Finding balance is key.”
IHL Board approves two new MSU-Meridian healthcare schools
In a bold move toward addressing Mississippi’s critical healthcare personnel shortages by expanding healthcare education, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning on Thursday [May 16] approved Mississippi State University’s proposal to establish two new schools in downtown Meridian.
Located on the MSU-Meridian Riley Campus where the Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree program is already housed, the College Board approved the School of Health Professions and the School of Nursing.
“I am grateful to the Board of Trustees for
Written by Sid Salter | Health sciences students at MSU-Meridian (Photo by Grace Cockrell)
recognizing the vital partnership between MSU, the regional medical community and the civic and governmental leadership in Meridian and Lauderdale County that will transform healthcare opportunities and the quality of life throughout our state,” said MSU President Mark E. Keenum. “This is the realization of a vision for this community that will endure and grow.”
The School of Nursing is led by Dean of Nursing Mary Stewart, who has overseen the university’s accelerated Master of Science in Nursing program since last spring.
“The significant step of becoming a School of Nursing aligns Mississippi State University with our colleagues at other IHL institutions in Mississippi,” Stewart said. “A school provides the infrastructure for faculty, student and program growth, leading to better health care for Mississippi.”
The MSN program is the state’s first accelerated, direct-entry nursing program. It received IHL Board approval earlier this year to begin admitting students this August. The program allows college graduates holding non-nursing degrees to enter the nursing profession as candidates for registered nurse licensure. The next steps in approval and national accreditation are scheduled for this fall. The process is pending Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges approval.
The larger effort to create a thriving health professions campus is essential to growth in the
region, said Interim Dean of Health Sciences Harold Jones.
Jones, who recently was appointed to also serve as interim associate vice provost for Health Sciences, is dean emeritus of the School of Health Professions at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Jones served as an MSU consultant in drafting the university’s feasibility study and plan to identify and launch its MSN and Health Care Administration programs.
“This is an integrative move that will provide an administrative structure for these programs and future planned programs that will significantly contribute to the number and quality of health care professionals in our state and region,” Jones said. “These are essential, meaningful programs that will have a profound impact on our state.” MSU-Meridian Administrative Head of Campus Terry Dale Cruse said: “I’m deeply appreciative for the IHL Board’s unwavering support and belief in the vital work our dedicated faculty and staff are undertaking to tackle health care disparities throughout the State of Mississippi. This comprehensive structure builds upon the groundwork we have begun, contributing to future expansion, and ensuring that our efforts will have a profound and lasting impact on our state’s most vulnerable populations.”
For more information on MSU-Meridian’s accelerated Master of Science in Nursing degree program, call 601-696-2277. Visit MSUMeridian online at www.meridian.msstate.edu.
ASSOCIATION Officers
GSA OFFICERS
Baynham, Vice President of Meridian Affairs – LaMareshia Johnson, Marketing Coordinator – Farbod Ghiasi, Service and Outreach Coordinator – Ana Valencia
ROLLING OUT THE MAROON CARPET FOR MEMPHIS TRIO
Mississippi State Graduate School Welcomes
University of Memphis TRIO Students with Special Message from Athletic Director Zac Selmon
During their recent visit to Mississippi State University, University of Memphis TRIO students were greeted with a special video message from MSU Athletic Director Zac Selmon. In the video, Selmon shared words of encouragement, welcoming the students to explore MSU’s graduate programs and inspiring them to pursue their academic goals. The visit offered a unique opportunity for these students to learn more about the graduate admissions process and envision their future in higher education.
PATHWAYS TO PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE
Tailored programming and resources are at your fingertips through structured learning tracks offered by NCFDD! These tracks are designed to create seamless career transitions and empower excellence in academia and beyond!
Graduate Students & Post Docs: Launching Your Career
• Structured Planning Webinars: Plan your semester effectively with webinars that help set clear goals and build a supportive community for accountability and balance.
• Networking and Mentorship Development: Develop career-enhancing connections through sessions that map your mentorship network, identify growth opportunities, and expand crucial professional relationships.
• Skill Enhancement and Career Readiness: Acquire practical skills and insights through expert-led webinars and courses. From overcoming writer’s block to mastering the academic job market, these resources prepare you for success in academia and beyond.
Professional Track & Contingent Faculty: Being Productive & Impactful
• Strategic Semester Planning: Attend webinars each semester to set goals, create plans, and join supportive communities for a productive and balanced academic semester.
• Skill Enhancement and Time Management: Develop daily writing habits, master academic time management, and build professional networks through targeted webinars.
• Career Development and Support Networks: Access expert-led sessions on mentoring, inclusive teaching, and overcoming imposter syndrome. These resources help you navigate career challenges and build a strong support system for academic success.
Tenure-Track Faculty: Publishing & Preparing for Tenure Application
• Strategic Semester Planning: Attend planning webinars to set goals, create strategic plans, and connect with supportive communities for a productive semester.
• Writing Productivity: Improve writing routines and overcome writer’s block with practical strategies to meet tenure and promotion criteria.
• Career Development: Gain skills in overcoming challenges like imposter syndrome, fostering effective collaborations, and preparing tenure materials to advance your academic career effectively.
Mid-Career Faculty: Thriving & Guiding
• Strategic Semester Planning: Attend planning webinars to set goals, create strategic plans, and connect with supportive communities for a productive semester.
• Overcoming Academic Perfectionism: Join sessions to identify and overcome perfectionism in academic work, enhancing productivity and satisfaction in the writing process.
• Career Advancement and Mentorship: Access expert-led webinars on navigating mid-career challenges, understanding tenure and promotion expectations, and gaining insights from experienced faculty.
FORMER MSU GRADUATE SCHOOL
GA TYLER DAVIS
DRAFTED
BY THE
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Mississippi State University is proud to announce that Tyler Davis, a former Graduate Assistant within the Graduate School and a student in the Workforce Education Leadership program, has been drafted by the Kansas City Royals. Tyler’s time at MSU was marked by his commitment to both his academic and athletic pursuits. We congratulate Tyler on this outstanding accomplishment and look forward to following his professional baseball career.
We are incredibly proud to announce that Rebekah Williams, a graduate student in the College
of Education at Mississippi State University, has been crowned Miss Mississippi!
In December 2023, Rebekah earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and is the first woman in her family to graduate college. She is now pursuing her Master of Science in Elementary Education and has aspirations to earn her Doctor of Education, with dreams of becoming a superintendent.
Beyond her academic achievements, Rebekah is a former member of MSU’s Dance Team and the founder of the impactful community service initiative, Make A Move.
Join us in celebrating Becky’s incredible achievements and her dedication to making a difference!
Credits: Rebekah Williams, Sky Walker Studios, Miss America Mississippi, Miss Mississippi Organization
EXPLORE MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY-MERIDIAN
MASTER OF PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT STUDIES
UNIVERSITY-MERIDIAN STUDIES PROGRAM
EVENTS
GRADUATE SCHOOL EVENTS
The Graduate School hosts multiple Open House events throughout the year to serve as an opportunity to meet with students, faculty, and staff from across the campus. These events are designed to engage with potential and current students and offer an environment of fun and community. The Open House events include a Halloween Haunted House, Mardi “Grad” celebration, a summer Ice Cream Social, Hot Cocoa Bar, Corn Day, and a tailgate.
WELCOME WEEK
WELCOME WEEK 2024: A SWEET START TO THE SEMESTER
From free ice cream at Allen Hall to an epic pickleball tournament at the Sanderson Center, Graduate Student Welcome Week 2024 was packed with fun, connection, and helpful resources. Students got the chance to snap fresh professional headshots, learn at the Thesis & Dissertation Workshop, and unwind with fellow Bulldogs at the Graduate Mixer Tailgate. Thanks to the Graduate Student Association, this week set the tone for a fantastic semester ahead, making sure every grad student felt right at home from day one.
WELLNESS WEDNESDAYS
GRADUATE STUDENT WELLNESS WEDNESDAY SERIES
The Graduate School hosts wellness-centered events once a semester on a Wednesday throughout the Fall and Spring semester. These sessions are meant to provide a fun and relaxing break from the sometime stressful graduate school environment, and well as enhance graduate students’ physical, mental, and social health.
Past events include Bully’s Pantry Pop-up with free ice cream, Reese’s Orchard Visit and picnic, Free Chair Massages, Noxubee Refuge Hike, Game Night, Pickleball tournaments, and more.
GTA WORKSHOP
GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANT TRAINING WORKSHOPS
The Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) Training Workshops are held twice a year and are designed to introduce students to the techniques and skills necessary to be effective instructors in the University environment and promote excellence in undergraduate education at Mississippi State University. The workshop includes two parts: the general training session, and the Classroom certification/teaching simulation session.
RESOURCE
AMBASSADOR
INTRODUCING OUR NEW GRADUATE SCHOOL AMBASSADOR TEAM
We’re excited to introduce our new Graduate School Ambassadors—a group of talented students who will represent and engage with prospective and current graduate students. As content creators, event hosts, and tour guides, these ambassadors help bring the graduate experience to life through tabling events, campus visits, and more. We are thrilled to have them on board, alongside Emily Grace McCall, our Graduate Assistant coordinator, and advisors Lauren Benton and Dr. Lindsey Shelton.
Emily Grace McCall Lauren Benton Dr. Lindsey Shelton
MEET THE TEAM:
Jennifer Burt
Carrington Davis
Chris Enriquez
Shalinda Fields
Emily Grace McCall (Coordinator)
Emily McFatter
John Little
Calvin Richey
Madee Thompson
Tyrique Willis
EVENTSGRADUATE SCHOOL PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT
The Graduate School had its first pickleball tournament with a great turnout!
AWARDS
MSU GRAD SCHOOL CROWNS FIRST
PICKLEBALL CHAMPIONS
IN WELLNESS WEDNESDAY
SERIES
Congratulations to our 2024 Pickleball Champs, MBA candidates Garrett Mikels and Drew Vance!
Thank you to all participants for making the event a success!
Grad School Employees recognized
recognized for years of service.
HONORING THOSE WHO HAVE GONE ABOVE BEYOND TO HELP OUR MSU GRADUATE STUDENTS
The Graduate School instituted Excellence in Service staff and faculty awards two years ago. We have intentionally transformed the Graduate School’s event into a celebration of communication and service. In the immortal words of legendary PSS Department Head Dr. Richard Mullenax: “It’s better to have an understanding at the beginning than a misunderstanding at the end.” Graduate Coordinator is one of the most important duties on our campus. The Staff and Faculty listed below are especially good at communication (both with the Graduate Students they serve as well as back and forth with the Graduate School). We thank all four of the 2024 recipients for their exceptional service to Graduate Education.
PROFESSORS:
Dr. Melody Fisher’s record as a professor is remarkable. She has been supportive of the communication majors within the graduate school as well as an advocate for all graduate students. She has gone above and beyond as an MSU spokesperson for diversity and access while speaking to visiting McNair Scholars during recruiting events and our most recent batch of outstanding TRIO students from Memphis.
Dr. Armstrong is in the Psychology Department, and he has served as Graduate Coordinator for nine years (2015-2024). He is always the strongest advocate for the students if ever they run into problems or difficulties. He does an exceptional job managing Graduate School rules and policy at the Department level. Dr. Armstrong also contributed long hours as the leader of one of a Graduate Task Forces. His superior guidance and leadership helped us confirm that the Graduate School was functioning at peak capacity.
STAFF:
Quintara Miller is a strong advisor and advocate for graduate students in the PSPA program. She maintains clear and effective lines of communication, responds quickly to questions, and utilizes creative solutions if issues arise. In addition to those important academic matters, she is genuinely fun to work with. Her award is well-deserved.
Tamra Swann is a valuable resource for faculty, staff, and students in BCOE. She goes above and beyond to help online students navigate Graduate School from start to finish as well as serve as an essential liaison between the Graduate School and the department. Her positive attitude and dedication make her a true delight to work with.
