The Graduate Council is the executive committee of the Graduate Faculty and is responsible for the formulation of academic policy and programs related to graduate study at Mississippi State University.  In addition, the Council may advise the Dean of Graduate School on any matter they, or the Dean, feel is appropriate.  The Chairperson of the Graduate Council is elected by and from the members of the Council. 

The Council consists of one elected member from each of the eight academic colleges offering graduate study (programs), and one less in number (seven) appointed by the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.  Not more than two appointed faculty members may be from the same college or school.  To be eligible for membership on the Council, members must have Level 1 status on the Graduate Faculty.  The term of office is three years.  A vacancy on the Council is filled in the same manner in which the member vacating the position was selected.  In addition to the faculty, the Council has one graduate student representative who is usually the president of the Graduate Student Association.  She/he is a voting member, and the term of office is one year.

Ex officio members of the Graduate Council include the Dean of Graduate School, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Associate Provost of Academic Affairs, Vice President for Research and Economic Development, Dean of University Libraries, Director of Continuing Education, Director of Admissions and Scholarships, Chairman of University Committee on Courses and Curricula, and Associate University Registrar.

Barbara Spencer, Ph.D., 2009, Appointed, Chair

Professor of Management and Director of Graduate Studies in Business

College of Business and Industry

Dwayne A. Wise, Ph.D., 2008, Appointed, Vice Chair

Professor of Biological Sciences

College of Arts and Sciences

EX OFFICIO MEMBERS

Mark S. Binkley, Ph.D., Ex Officio
Director of Academic Outreach and Continuing Education

Phil Bonfanti, Ph.D., Ex Officio
Director of Admissions and Scholarships

Tim Chamblee, Ph.D., Ex Officio
Associate Professor of Poultry Science
Chair of University Committee on Courses and Curricula

Frances N. Coleman, M.L.S., Ex Officio
Dean of Library Services

Jerome A. Gilbert, Ph.D., Ex Officio
Associate Provost

Sharon Nobles, M.A., Ex Officio
Associate Registrar

William A. Person, Ed.D., Ex Officio
Interim Dean of Graduate School,
Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs
and Professor of Curriculum and Instruction

Peter W. Rabideau, Ph.D., Ex Officio
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Kirk Schulz, Ph.D., Ex Officio
Vice President for Research and Economic Development

ELECTED MEMBERS

APPOINTED MEMBERS

Mark Thomas, 2008
Graduate Student Representative

Thomas Hosie, Ph.D., 2009
Professor of Counselor Education
College of Education

Daniel Reynolds, Ph.D., 2009
Professor of Plant and Soil Sciences
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

William D. Batchelor, Ph.D., 2010
Professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Ratnasingham Shivaji , Ph.D., 2010
Professor of Mathematics and Statistics
College of Arts and Sciences