Annual Leadership Program Taps 12 MSU Faculty Members

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) — A dozen Mississippi State faculty members are new selections for the competitive 2014-15 George Duke Humphrey Faculty Leadership Program.

Sponsored by the university’s offices of Research and Economic Development and of the Provost and Executive Vice President, the annual program works to develop the next generation of campus academic leaders, among other goals. It honors the memory of the land-grant institution’s ninth president (1934-45) and namesake of Humphrey Coliseum.

“This program builds upon Mississippi State’s tradition of effective leadership on our campus and in the communities we serve,” said David Shaw, the university’s vice president for research and economic development.

“We are committed to helping faculty further develop the skills that are needed to lead the university forward in its mission of teaching, research and service,” he explained.

During the eight-month program that begins in September, participants will be part of various presentations and roundtable discussions with top administrators. Session topics include leadership styles, organizational change, diversity, building winning research teams, and organizational evaluation and assessment.

This year’s participants include:

–Craig Aarhus, associate professor of music;

–Ashli Brown, Mississippi State Chemical Laboratory director and associate professor of biochemistry, molecular biology, entomology and plant pathology;

–Angus Catchot, MSU Extension Service professor of biochemistry, molecular biology, entomology and plant pathology;

–Renee Clary, associate professor of geosciences;

–Diana Eubanks, associate clinical professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine’s clinical sciences department;

–Donald Grebner, professor of forestry;

–William Anthony Hay, Institute of the Humanities director and associate professor of history;

–Brien Henry, associate professor of biochemistry, molecular biology, entomology and plant pathology;

–Rocky Lemus, associate Extension/research professor of biochemistry, molecular biology, entomology and plant pathology;

–Robert McMillen, associate professor of psychology and Social Science Research Center researcher;

–Stephen Middleton, professor of history; and

–Jane Parish, MSU Extension Service professor of animal and dairy sciences.

For more information about the program, please contact Teresa Gammill, assistant vice president for research, at tgammill@research.msstate.edu or 662-325-3570.