Board Approves BRC Recommendations and Recognizes Programs for Redesign
During its regular monthly meeting Thursday, the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) approved recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Committee for the Redesign of Teacher Preparation (BRC) and received a list of projects by Mississippi's public universities participating in The National Center for Academic Transformation's course redesign initiative. IHL Assistant Commissioner of Academic and Student Affairs Dr. Lynn J. House presented the recommendations of the BRC, which address seven key issues, including meaningful field experiences; subject content preparation; differentiating instruction; classroom management; recruitment and retention; strong partnerships; and accountability. The recommendations were also presented to and approved by the State Board of Education. The BRC is a collaborative venture involving IHL and the Mississippi Department of Education, as well as other key stakeholders, to improve the quality and quantity of teachers in Mississippi. The BRC met over the past 18 months and received guidance from national education experts and reviewed research from regional, national, and international studies, and made campus visits to explore exemplary teacher preparation programs. The Board also reviewed 16 university projects selected for pilot implementation of The National Center for Academic Transformation's course redesign initiative. Course redesign allows institutions to improve student learning outcomes; demonstrate improvements through rigorous assessment; reduce costs of instruction; increase consistency across multiple sections; free institutional resources for other purposes; and develop capacity to continue the redesign process. For more information, or to view the list of selected institutional projects, click here. Contact Dr. Lynn J. House for more information.
| Board Approves New Academic Programs Also during its Thursday meeting, the IHL Board approved new academic programs. The Board approved a request made by Alcorn State University, Delta State University, Mississippi University for Women, the University of Mississippi Medical Center, and the University of Southern Mississippi to offer a collaborative Doctor of Nursing Practice degree to prepare advanced practice nurses to provide higher quality healthcare to diverse populations. The collaboration will meet a requirement of the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education to accredit only one advanced practice nursing program at the doctoral level. The Board also approved the following new academic programs: - Mississippi State University - Bachelor of Arts in Criminology degree; Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Medical Technology degree; and Doctor of Philosophy in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences degree
- Mississippi University for Women - Bachelor of Science in General Studies degree
- University of Mississippi - Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies degree
- University of Mississippi Medical Center - Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences degree
- University of Southern Mississippi - Doctor of Philosophy in Instructional Technology and Design degree
The Board also deleted nine academic programs, approved a new academic unit, and approved modifications to existing academic units. Click here for complete information. Contact IHL Director of Academic Affairs Dr. Al Rankins for more information. | MSU and MVSU Presidential Searches Progress
The presidential searches at Mississippi State University (MSU) and Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) continue to progress on schedule with first round interviews and reference checks. The MSU Board Search Committee, chaired by Trustee Scott Ross, met Tuesday and Wednesday, September 16 and 17, to conduct first round interviews. The Board Search Committee was joined by Mississippi State's Interview Search Advisory Committee, a subset of the original campus Search Advisory Committee formed to review all resumes and recommend candidates to the Board Search Committee. The group will meet again next Wednesday, September 24 to hear the results of candidate background and reference checks. The MVSU Board Search Committee, chaired by Trustee Bettye Neely, will meet next Tuesday and Wednesday, September 23 and 24, to conduct first round interviews. MVSU Board Search Committee members will be joined by MVSU's Interview Search Advisory Committee. IHL's institutional executive officer search process allows Mississippi to be on the consideration list of the highest caliber professionals in higher education. The process is open, transparent and representative-based, and works in accordance with today's recruitment standards for high-level institutions of higher learning. For more information on the MSU and MVSU institutional executive officer search processes, including timelines of events, visit www.mississippi.edu/ieo. | IHL Participates in 4th Annual ADP Network State Leadership Team Meeting
Dr. Susan P. Lee of the IHL Office of Academic and Student Affairs and Dr. Kris Kaase and Dr. Jean Massey of the Mississippi Department of Education comprised Mississippi's team at the Fourth Annual American Diploma Project (ADP) Network State Leadership Team Meeting in Washington D.C. September 11-12. The ADP Network is a coalition of 32 states committed to aligning K-12 standards, graduation requirements, assessments, and accountability policies with the expectations of college and careers to ensure that students graduate high school ready for college, work, and responsible citizenship. At the meeting, state leadership teams heard corporate leaders discuss what corporations need from high schools in terms of preparing students for the workforce. Team members participated in a plenary session focused on moving state data, assessment, and accountability systems forward in ways that target college and career readiness. They also engaged in state planning sessions of specific ADP policies, such as aligning high school standards with the demands of college and careers; raising graduation requirements; providing high quality curriculum and teacher support; measuring student learning; and creating an information and accountability system. In Mississippi, IHL is facilitating college readiness task forces to align high school standards with the demands of college. Math and English Task Forces have produced a list of expected competencies. U.S. History and Biology Task Forces will meet this academic year. For more information, contact IHL Director of P-16 Initiatives Dr. Susan P. Lee. | |  Items included in the "University News" section of the System Review are submitted each week by the universities. The news items are listed in rotating alphabetical order by university.ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY
 Alcorn State Student Participates in "105 Voices of History" National Choir
Recently, Shana Braxton, a vocal education major from Wesson, MS, participated in the "105 Voices of History" HBCU choir hosted by Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad. This world premiere concert featured the "105 Voices of History" National Choir, which includes one singer from each of the nation's 105 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). The performance took place at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. on September 7. The concert was absolutely breathtaking, full of beautiful sounds and very moving songs. But that is not it! Not only did Shana have an opportunity to shine among other talented singers, she also won a $10,000 scholarship. There was a drawing and the hostess Phylicia Rashad pulled her name. This concert was not the first time that Shana took to the world stage. She was a part of Alcorn State University Concert Choir's history-making performance at the 55th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C. in 2005, where George W. Bush was sworn in to his second term as President of the United States. Another memorable event that Shana participated in was the Concert Choir performance of Vivaldi's Gloria that was given on March 20, 2006 at Carnegie Hall in New York. Learn more. DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY
Delta State University Unveils New Logo
Delta State University President, Dr. John M. Hilpert, revealed the new Delta State logo during an unveiling ceremony Saturday, September 13. The unveiling took place on the main stage at Statesmen Park in front of hundreds of Delta State students, alumni, and faculty and staff members. The ceremony marked the culmination of over three years of research and planning, and kicked off the first campus-wide marketing initiative in the school's history designed to promote a comprehensive, aggressive approach to marketing Delta State University. After recognizing the members of the Delta State Marketing Advisory Committee, Hilpert unveiled the new logo and tagline to a round of applause from the audience. President Hilpert challenged the audience to heed the words of the new tagline, Join in. Stand out., by participating in efforts to build the University's enrollment with high quality students. Learn more. Delta State University Author to Speak at The British Museum European Travel Writers and Radio Show Hosts Tour the Delta Statesmen to Face Harding in GSC Opener JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY NEWS
JSU Music Faculty Members to Present at National Conference
Jackson State University Professor of Music Karen Laubengayer has been invited to present a paper at the 51st National Conference of the College Music Society scheduled for Sept. 25-28 at the Marriot Marquis Hotel in Atlanta. The conference, themed "A Changing Profession in a Changing World," will be held in conjunction with the 2008 National Conference of the Association for Technology in Music Instruction. Laubengayer will present "20th Century African-American Women Composers - Beyond the Spiritual." Phyllis Lewis-Hale, soprano and assistant professor of music, will assist Laubengayer. Learn more. JSU Hosts Gospel Musical 'Challenges, Choices and Consequences' JSU/NASA Educator Resource Center Announces Fall 2008 Workshops MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY NEWS
MSU Reports Record Enrollment, Highest-ever Retention
Mississippi State today announced an enrollment of 17,824, a 4.6 percent increase from the previous year and the highest in the university's history. The university last year announced it had for the first time surpassed the 17,000-mark. "The strength of our academic programs, innovative leadership opportunities for students, and new on-campus residential experiences are creating an unparalleled interest in what Mississippi State offers," said MSU Interim President Vance H. Watson. "This is an exciting time in the life of the university, and we're committed to providing the best educational experience possible for each student who chooses to become a part of our MSU family." Fall enrollment included a record freshman class of 2,489, an increase of 9 percent from the previous year, and a Meridian Campus enrollment of 782. The College of Arts and Sciences continues to be the university's largest, with more than 4,000 students, followed by the colleges of education, business, and engineering. "We're very proud that our student retention also continues to increase and that our faculty members are committed to helping students achieve academic success and stay in school," Watson said. Freshman-to-sophomore retention increased to 84.5 percent, up from 83.4 percent, and an all-time high. Learn more. PACCAR Forms Partnership with MSU Engineering College MSU Brings Bicycle Fleet for Campus to Share National FFA Recognizes MSU Leader, Faculty Member Starkville-MSU Symphony Opens 08-09 Season with Daylong Events MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY DIVISION OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND VETERINARY MEDICINE NEWS ONLINE
 Mississippi State University Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine Online
www.dafvm.msstate.edu MISSISSIPPI UNIVERSITY FOR WOMEN NEWS
Master's Program at MUW Prepares Teachers for Leadership Roles
Already known for its success in preparing teachers, Mississippi University for Women will eventually be known for preparing educators as leaders. The master's degree program in educational leadership is in keeping with the mission of MUW and fulfilling a need, according to Dr. Sue Jolly, chair of the Department of Education. "A shortage of well-prepared, qualified school administrators exists both in Mississippi and in the nation," she said. "The program seeks outstanding teachers who have potential to lead schools. The program prepares them for the next step. While the emphasis is on school leadership, the program examines all aspects of leadership and would prepare an individual for a leadership role in virtually any organization." Jolly said the program is designed to align with national standards in the field and with all Mississippi guidelines. "Extensive research related to best practice was reviewed in determining the design which is cutting edge. Much of this research was incorporated into the design of the program," she added. Factors that make the program unique include a rigorous selection process; a curriculum that emphasizes instructional leadership, gender issues of leadership and moral, ethical decision making, and strong integration of theory and practice. Learn more. MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY NEWS
MVSU Hosts Aaron Henry Lecture Series on Oct. 8
John Tanner, former Department of Justice attorney, will be the featured speaker at the 2008 Aaron Henry Scholars Lecture Series on Race, Politics, Gender and Culture, sponsored by Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU). The event is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 8, at 6:30 p.m. in the H.G. Carpenter Auditorium. Mr. Tanner will speak on ""Election 2008: Consequences & Expectations." Dr. Rickey Hill, MVSU political science professor and dean of the graduate school, will serve as moderator. Tanner began his work in voting rights as a teenager in Birmingham during the mid-1960s, when he assisted with voter registration drives and other activities. After college and the Army, he joined the Voting Section of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division as a paralegal and went to law school at night at American University, where he was on the Law Review. Upon graduation he was accepted as an attorney in the Department under the Honors Program, and for many years was the principle Department of Justice attorney for voting rights enforcement in Alabama and Mississippi. In 1995, he moved to prosecute federal criminal civil rights violations with the Department, and was on the National Church Arson Task Force. He also has had temporary assignments with the White House Office of Counsel to the President, the Senate Judiciary Committee, and the Department's Office of Legislative Affairs. Learn more. Valley CDC to Offer Security Guard Training MVSU Approved for Students in Free Enterprise Membership UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI NEWS ONLINE
University of Mississippi Online
www.olemiss.edu
UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER NEWS
Faculty Urged to be Honestly Optimistic During Fall Meeting
Chancellor Robert Khayat asked faculty at the University of Mississippi Medical Center to exercise "honest optimism" while fulfilling the institution's mission during the annual Fall Faculty Meeting Sept. 8 in the Norman C. Nelson Student Union. Khayat said the faculty face many challenges in providing the finest quality education, conducting groundbreaking medical research, and offering the best available health care in a state that consistently ranks on or near the bottom of the nation's economic and health rankings. "We have many challenges, and we have a world of opportunities we need to address," Khayat said. "But the quality is here. The potential is here. And we have the opportunity to be on the right end of the list." Evidence of the fulfillment of that honest optimism can be found over the past year, he said, when the Medical Center made the Thomson Healthcare list of top 100 hospitals in the country and the University of Mississippi was ranked 23rd nationally among public universities for quality education by Forbes. Learn more. NHLBI Funds Renal Medulla Hypertension Study National Institute on Drug Abuse Funds Drug Treatment Study UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI NEWS
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Receives $1 Million Endowment
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at The University of Southern Mississippi is the recipient of a $1 million endowment from The Bernard Osher Foundation. The Bernard Osher Foundation is a philanthropic organization founded by Bernard Osher in 1977 and headquartered in San Francisco. The foundation supports a growing national network of lifelong learning institutes that provide non-credit educational programs for older adults at 121 colleges and universities across the country. An endowment of $1 million is awarded to the institutes that achieve both success and sustainability. "We are eternally grateful to Mr. Bernard Osher, who had the vision to see that learning does not stop upon college graduation, but continues well into retirement," said Sue Pace, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute director. Pace said OLLI had three years to increase annual membership to more than 500, finishing in the spring with 543 members. A limited number of scholarships to first-time members were awarded to include a free class, introducing them to OLLI. The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Southern Miss began in 1991 as the Institute for Learning in Retirement. It is the only lifelong learning institute in Mississippi supported by the Bernard Osher Foundation. In 2005, the institute received a $100,000 gift from The Bernard Osher Foundation and changed the name to The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. An additional $100,000 was received in 2006 and 2007. Learn more. Southern Miss Graduate Student Benefits from Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship Southern Miss Museum of Art to Open Japanese Prints Exhibit Sept. 23 Southern Miss Researcher Develops Program to Address Blood Lead Levels in Hattiesburg Children Symphony Offers Individual Ticket Sales UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST NEWS ONLINE
University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Campus Online
www.usm.edu/gulfcoast 
Sept. 20 - The Tenth Annual Mississippi Valley State University Family & Community Day will be held from noon to 4 p.m. on the front campus. Gospel singing, dance contests, and a round of blues music highlight this year's event. There is no charge to attend the activities, and parking is free. Learn more. Sept. 20 - Mississippi Valley State University will host its annual Fall High School Day, beginning at 9 a.m. in the R.W. Harrison Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Complex. Doors will open at 8 a.m. for early bird registration. Learn more. Sept. 22-25 - Mississippi State's Sexual Assault Services presents the Clothesline Project on the Drill Field. This is part of a nation-wide event to bring awareness to sexual assault. People are invited to design a T-shirt. Learn more. Sept. 25 - Mississippi State's Campus Activities Board presents Decision 2008 at 7 p.m. in Lee Hall auditorium. This is an open forum and voter registration drive program with guest speaker, Robin from MTV's Real World San Diego. Learn more. Sept. 25 - Mississippi State's College of Business and Industry presents a financial literacy program on student loans in McCool Hall's Taylor Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. This program will focus on student loans and is open to the public. Learn more. Sept. 29 - Delta State University will present "Capitol Steps" in the Delta and Pine Land Theatre of its Bologna Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. For ticket information, please call the Box Office at (662) 846-4626. Learn more. Oct. 4 - Jackson State will host its annual High School Day on the main campus. For more information, call (601) 979-2913. Learn more. Oct. 18 - MVSU Homecoming Week is set for Oct. 13-18. Learn more. Oct. 18 - Southern Miss is hosting the Career Exploration for Girls Conference. Learn more. |
