New Faculty Success Team at MSU supports professional growth, success
Contact: Allison Matthews
STARKVILLE, Miss.—A new initiative focusing on Mississippi State’s faculty members ensures they have an abundance of resources and support to thrive at the university, which has been cited as a “Great College to Work For” for nine consecutive years.
The Faculty Success Team, under the umbrella of faculty affairs in the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President, launched this spring semester with the purpose of supporting professional growth and success—identifying and implementing new avenues to prepare for and reward outstanding teaching, research and service.
“The Faculty Success Team represents our deep commitment to supporting faculty at every stage of their careers,” said MSU Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Jim Dunne, who serves as team chair.
“By bringing together voices from across the university, we’re developing meaningful strategies that enhance faculty development, well-being and recognition. Our goal is to ensure that every faculty member feels supported, valued and empowered to thrive,” said Dunne, whose academic home is the Department of Physics and Astronomy.
Dunne said the Faculty Success Team meets monthly and includes four senior faculty members, including the Robert Holland Faculty Senate President, two academic deans, and the Executive Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, along with representatives from Human Resources Management; the Division of Research and Economic Development; Center for Student Success; Center for Teaching and Learning; Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine; Athletic Academics; Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness; and the Division of Access, Opportunity and Success. The team recently rolled out a new website to recognize faculty promotion and tenure: https://www.provost.msstate.edu/faculty-affairs/faculty-promotions.
Describing the Faculty Success Team as an “all-star” group, Dunne said its three subcommittees began by focusing on the three key priorities out of more than a dozen identified faculty affairs areas: Faculty Recruiting and Retention, chaired by Ashli Brown; Faculty Mentoring, chaired by Leslie Burger; and Faculty Development, chaired by Michael Seymour.
“Our team is building on a strong foundation to really move the needle for faculty success,” said Seymour, director of the university’s Center for Teaching and Learning. “We’re leveraging the recommendations of the faculty development task force through the groundbreaking work Leslie has led in mid-career faculty mentoring, Ashli’s outstanding leadership in faculty recruiting and retention, along with the DAFVM Faculty Senate’s work on best hiring practices, and, most importantly, the collective wisdom and experience of the entire team. Together, the Faculty Success Team is advancing a more unified and strategic approach to supporting faculty growth and success throughout their academic professional careers.”
To learn more about faculty affairs and the Faculty Success Team, visit https://www.provost.msstate.edu/faculty-affairs/.
Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters. Learn more at www.msstate.edu.