Contact: James Carskadon

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Twenty-one Mississippi State staff members are new graduates of the university’s Leadership Excellence for Accomplished Professionals program for 2017.

LEAP’s goals and purpose include the advancement of knowledge, enhancement of leadership skills, and direct practical work application for selected employees.

During the four-month program, participants met with campus and community leaders to explore and develop their leadership skills in many areas and to more effectively lead MSU’s efforts. Conflict resolution and decision-making, managing change, effective team building and employee performance management were among session topics.

“The LEAP program is designed to help participants maximize their leadership potential and hone communication skills,” said Darrell Easley, learning and development manager for MSU’s human resources management department. “We look forward to seeing this group’s collective accomplishments and the benefits their leadership skills will bring to Mississippi State.”

Mississippi State President Mark E. Keenum delivered the keynote address during the recent graduation reception at MSU’s Hunter Henry Center.

Chosen through a competitive nomination and selection process, this year’s group includes:

—Jonathan Adams, assistant director, Student Programs, Sanderson Center

—Kelly Atwood, assistant director, Career Center

—Amy Berryhill, lead IT consultant, User Services, Information Technology Services

—Scott Boone, director, Environmental and Chemical Regulatory, Mississippi State Chemical Laboratory

—Jeremy Clay, director, Office of Technology Management

—Stacy Davis, treasury services accountant, Office of the Controller and Treasurer

—Laura Dunn, assistant director, Student Success

—Andrew Fox, business manager I, Institute for Clean Energy Technology

—Shameie Haynes, senior auditor, Office of Internal Audit

—Susan Heath, assistant director, Financial Services, College of Veterinary Medicine, Office of the Dean

—Stephanie Hyche, associate director, Office of Sponsored Projects

—Kelly Kirby, assistant director, Orientation and Campus Events, Office of Admissions and Scholarships

—Angela Knight, medical technologist, College of Veterinary Medicine Pathobiology and Population Medicine Department

—Brian Locke, interim director, G. V. “Sonny” Montgomery Center for America’s Veterans

—Kei Mamiya, program coordinator, Holmes Cultural Diversity Center

—Allison Matthews, editor, Office of Public Affairs

—Christina Meriwether, extension agent III, MSU Extension, Leflore County

—Madison Poole, director, International Partnerships and Protocol, International Institute

—Leah Pylate, director, Health Education and Wellness and Sexual Assault, Department of Health Promotion and Wellness

—Loren Reynolds, clinical laboratory manager, Longest Student Health Center

—Emily Shaw, director, Undergraduate and Graduate Academic Advising, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

For additional information about LEAP, contact Easley at deasley@hrm.msstate.edu or 662-325-2203.

MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.