Contact: Allison Matthews
Photo by: Beth Wynn
STARKVILLE, Miss.--Mississippi State has appointed a new interim assistant vice president for multicultural affairs to oversee and expand the university's longstanding efforts in cultivating a diverse and inclusive campus community.
Cedric Gathings has served as assistant dean of students and director of the university's Holmes Cultural Diversity Center for the past two years and has been responsible for developing and coordinating programs to enhance an environment of cultural diversity on campus. He routinely assists minority and international students in their transition and acclimation to the university.
Gathings will continue to lead the Holmes Center while assuming expanded leadership of MSU's overall multicultural programs.
"Mississippi State University's historical narrative has been one in which diversity and inclusion have consistently been core values," said MSU President Mark E. Keenum. "We believe the best way to honor that long history of providing equal opportunity to students is to make our multicultural programs broader and more expansive. Cedric Gathings is the right person to lead that effort."
Gathings holds a master's of education in sociology and a bachelor's degree in social science from Delta State University. He also is a graduate of Northeast Mississippi Community College in Booneville, where he earned an associate's degree with an emphasis in elementary education.
"I have great confidence that Cedric will lead and inspire a significant expansion of Mississippi State's efforts in diversity and inclusion," said MSU Provost and Executive Vice President Jerry Gilbert. "Cedric brings great enthusiasm to this vital task and he already has the trust and respect of our students."
Previously, Gathings was associate director for MSU's Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life from 2008-2013. He managed the daily operations of the office directly responsible for leadership and vision of the university's Greek system.
"Whether it is bringing together students of difference races, different religions, or different lifestyles, Cedric Gathings has devoted his professional career to bringing us all together to work toward a better Mississippi and world," said MSU interim Vice President for Student Affairs Bill Broyles. "I am delighted that Cedric will be continuing these efforts in his new position at Mississippi State."
Before joining MSU, he gained additional experiences in higher education at East Mississippi Community College, Mississippi University for Women and Mississippi Valley State University. He has served as an adjunct professor in social sciences for Holmes Community College and East Mississippi Community College.
At MSU, Gathings is advisor to the Black Student Association and oversees the Safe Zone Advisory Board, which administers the campus-wide program that promotes a welcoming and safe community for LGBTQ students, faculty and staff. He also directs International Student Orientation and provides leadership and oversight to 16 international student organizations.
"Cedric has demonstrated excellence in his leadership of the Holmes Cultural Diversity Center and will excel in this role," said incoming MSU Vice President of Student Affairs Regina Young Hyatt. "As MSU continues its commitment to diversity and inclusion through its support of programs, services and activities that promote a focus on cross-cultural understanding, Cedric is the ideal person to provide leadership in this important work."
That assessment was shared by the leader of MSU's student government. Student Association President JoJo Dodd said Gathings has a great rapport with students.
"There isn't a person who engages with students more to help them find their fit at Mississippi State. His passion for empowering students to step out of their comfort zones, participate in conversations about substantive issues, and challenge the status quo is powerful because of his genuine love for students," Dodd said.
Gathings has served on numerous MSU departmental and division committees, from the Service Dawgs Committee and Sexual Assault Response Team to the Student Success and Diversity Council committees. He is a member of the President's Commission on the Status of Minorities, and he is a graduate of MSU's Learning Experience for Aspiring Professionals, also known as LEAP program.
"My passion is for helping other people," said Gathings. "At Mississippi State, I've been fortunate to develop genuine relationships with people from all walks of life and from all backgrounds. I'm very excited about the opportunity to make our university's diversity efforts more comprehensive and more robust."
Gathings has been recognized with several awards including the MSU Staff Diversity Award. In 2014, the Southeastern Greek Leadership Summit presented him the organization's Service Award.
Gathings is a member of the Southern Association for College Student Affairs, Mississippi Association of Residence Hall Students, Mississippi Association of College Student Affairs Professionals, Order of Omega Honor Society, Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors, Southwestern Black Student Leadership Conference and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., among others.
MSU is Mississippi's flagship research university, available online at www.msstate.edu, facebook.com/msstate, instagram.com/msstate and twitter.com/msstate.