MSU-Meridian announces new leadership structure that facilitates streamlined operations, sharpens academic focus
Contact: Sid Salter and Harriet Laird
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥旂哿κ悠 Provost and Executive Vice President David R. Shaw today announced changes at MSU-Meridian that reflect more than two years of planning and implementation to streamline operations and sharpen the university鈥檚 focus on its nursing and health-related academic programs.
Effective Feb. 1, Morgan Dudley, whose administrative oversight responsibilities have included successful management of the Riley Center, will become Executive Director for MSU-Meridian Operations. In her new role, she will oversee all non-academic functions in Meridian, manage facility operations and marketing and communication efforts, as well as serve as community liaison for MSU in Meridian. She also will continue her supervision of the Riley Center.
David Buys has served as the interim Head of the MSU-Meridian campus for the past year and, in that capacity, has been instrumental as the institution worked to determine the optimal administrative organization including the new position鈥檚 function and role.
Buys background in health-related programs made him an excellent steward through this transition in Meridian, maintaining and even increasing momentum and progress, said MSU Provost and Executive Vice President David Shaw. 鈥淭he university is thankful to David Buys for his essential service in helping us carefully determine the appropriate structure for the university鈥檚 future administrative needs in Meridian,鈥 Shaw said. 鈥淭here is so much to be excited about, both for the university and community as programs are established and expanded.鈥
Buys will continue to serve as the Associate Vice Provost for Health Science Partnerships. Based in Starkville, he will be taking a statewide approach as MSU expands its comprehensive focus on health throughout Mississippi, coordinating with university units and external entities to expand MSU鈥檚 health science-related programming. He also will work to form and foster collaborative alliances with community colleges, other universities, healthcare providers, state and federal agencies, foundations and others.
Regarding Dudley in her new role, Shaw said, 鈥淲e have great confidence in her proven ability to lead and that she will continue to be a vital part of the civic and community landscape in Meridian, Lauderdale County and the broader East Mississippi/West Alabama region.鈥
With the establishment of academic professional health sciences programs in Meridian, MSU has attracted strong administrative leadership.
鈥淒ean of Health Professions Lesley Clack and Dean of Nursing Mary Stewart continue to provide excellent leadership for their respective academic programs. Both schools are seeing growth in the number of students, faculty and staff who want to be a part of this exciting and evolving environment,鈥 Shaw said.
Stewart successfully navigated the new accelerated Master of Science in Nursing program through its rigorous accreditation process to seat its first cohort of future nurses in 2025. Clack, who joined the university last year, is developing and expanding healthcare programs, while teaching and mentoring students for future management and leadership positions.
鈥淭he programs being delivered now and in the future at MSU-Meridian are vitally important. The leadership assembled in Meridian has MSU well-positioned to be a true leader in meeting the increasing need for additional and improved healthcare opportunities in Mississippi and beyond,鈥 Shaw added.
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