I hope all of you were able to enjoy Spring Break earlier this month. We are moving quickly through the academic calendar, and it’s hard to believe the last day of class is less than six weeks away. I know it’s a busy time of year for everyone, but I hope you’ll let me take a few minutes of your time for an update from the Division of Academic Affairs.

International Efforts Going Strong in Rome

We continue to see strong momentum in our academic and research partnership with the Pontifical University Antonianum in Rome. I was able to see first-hand the progress we’re making with our new Rome Center earlier this month, while also participating in an international conference on the ethical development of artificial intelligence. I was also very fortunate to participate in a personal audience with Pope Leo XIV. I will never forget this special opportunity and was very glad to help present him with a one-of-a-kind Mississippi State baseball jersey. Read more at https://www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2026/03/msu-delegation-visits-future-home-rome-programs-takes-part-personal. 

Monitoring Developments in the Middle East

And speaking of international programs and travel, we continue to monitor the ongoing developments in the Middle East. As we shared in a university-wide announcement several weeks ago, the safety and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff remain our top priorities, and we will continue to share updates about any required changes should they be necessary. As always, all international travelers are encouraged to enroll in the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and to actively use the Alert Traveler app with location services enabled to support timely communication and assistance in an emergency.

First Destination Survey Continues to Show Success for MSU Graduates

Looking at our recent graduates is one of the ways prospective students and their families know we are committed to providing a great education and a great college experience. Thanks to the MSU Career Center’s latest First Destination Survey, we know our 2024-25 graduates are doing very well. Ninety-five percent of these graduates reported career success. Of those pursuing advanced degrees, 70% were attending colleges and universities in Mississippi. Kudos to Executive Director Bethany Mills and the Career Center team for helping our students prepare for what comes next after they graduate and to all of you who contribute to their success as teachers and mentors while they’re earning their degrees. Read more at https://www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2026/02/survey-msu-degree-propels-bulldog-graduates-career-success. 

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 John Ball, the Robert D. Guyton Chair of Teaching Excellence in the Bagley College of Engineering, who is the university’s 2026 Southeastern Conference Faculty Achievement Award winner. Read more at https://www.memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=8487.

* Kudos to David Buys, the associate vice provost for health science partnerships and a professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Nutrition and Health Promotion, who has been recognized by the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health with this year’s Alumni Award for Practice. Read more at https://www.memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=8490. 

* Congratulations to Cindy Bethel, the Billie J. Ball Endowed Professor in Engineering in the Bagley College of Engineering, who has been named one of the Top 10 Women of Distinction by CIO Times magazine. Read more at https://theciotimes.com/magazine/Americas-Top-10-Women-Of-Distinction-2026/#page/29. 

* Kudos to Jack Smith, the associate dean for academic affairs in the College of Veterinary Medicine, who has been named the Mississippi Veterinary Medical Association’s 2026 Veterinarian of the Year. Read more at https://www.memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=8488. 

* Congratulations to SaMin Han, an assistant professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Design, who now holds the department’s inaugural endowed professorship. And a thank you to graduate Michael Hatcher and his wife Mary for their gift to initiate the Michael L. and Mary B. Hatcher Endowed Professorship. Read more at https://www.memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=8479.

* Kudos to DeeDee Baldwin, an MSU Libraries associate professor, who was recognized by the Mississippi Humanities Council during its 2026 Public Humanities Awards ceremony this month. Read more at https://www.memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=8489. 

* Congratulations to Don Shaffer, the director of the African American Studies program and a professor in the Department of English, whose latest book – “Though There Be Giants: The Ghetto Pastoral Mode in Black Migration Novels” – was recently published by the University Press of Mississippi. Read more at https://www.memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=8478. 

* Kudos to Samyak Shertok, an assistant professor in the Department of English, who is a finalist for the 2026 PEN Open Book Award for his debut poetry collection “No Rhododendron,” published in 2025 by the University of Pittsburgh Press. Read more at https://www.memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=8462. 

* Congratulations to longtime colleague John Byrd, a professor in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences and a weed scientist with the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, who has been named the Weed Science Society of America’s liaison to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a three-year term. Read more at https://www.memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=8477. 

* Kudos to Prakash Jha, an assistant professor in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, who is the recipient of the Early Career Award from the Mississippi Academy of Sciences. Read more at https://www.memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=8469.

* Congratulations to Delta Research and Extension Center head and MSU Extension entomologist Jeff Gore, who received the 2026 Recognition Award for Excellence in Cotton Integrated Pest Management at the National Cotton Council’s Beltwide Cotton Conferences, and to MSU Extension cotton specialist Brian Pieralisi, who received the 2026 Beltwide Extension Cotton Specialist of the Year award. Read more at https://www.memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=8468. 

* And a welcome to Adam Smith, who has been named associate dean for research and engagement in the Bagley College of Engineering. Read more at https://www.memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=8493. 

Final Words

Thank you for reading this month’s letter. Your comments, questions, suggestions, and concerns about these or other topics are welcome at david.shaw@msstate.edu. 

David

Dr. David R. Shaw is Provost and Executive Vice President at Mississippi State University. His email address is david.shaw@msstate.edu.