Contact: Maridith Geuder
Reflecting its renewed emphasis on growth and enhancement of its Meridian presence, Mississippi State University soon will begin a national search for a new dean of the university's 800-student upper-level campus.
"We have both an educational and outreach commitment to this vital East Mississippi region through our academic programs and through the highly successful Riley Center for Education and the Performing Arts," said MSU President Mark Keenum. "We are strengthening the position of dean to help meet our goal of increasing opportunities for students, as well as providing the administrative and management leadership to move the Riley Center forward in its mission."
The new position will function both as dean and executive director under an administrative structure that places an emphasis on community engagement, successful multi-faceted management experience, and academic excellence, Keenum said, adding that the expanding role of the Riley Center has added considerable new responsibilities to the dean's position.
"Day-to-day operations there require a different set of skills and background, adding another dimension to a position that has been primarily academic in the past," he said.
MSU-Meridian offers academic coursework through its divisions of Business, Education and Arts and Sciences. The campus conferred 145 degrees during its recent spring commencement.
The Riley Center, located in the historic downtown area, annually draws more than 60,000 visitors for cultural performances and educational opportunities. The university currently is reviewing opportunities for possible expansion of the facility to an adjacent property.
"We have set very ambitious goals for the role Mississippi State intends to play in the educational, economic and cultural growth of East Mississippi, and we believe this redefined position will be vital in helping achieve our plans," Keenum said.