Contact: Sasha Steinberg

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Darrell R. Easley, learning and development manager for Mississippi State’s Human Resources Management department, is taking on a new role as the university’s interim chief human resources officer.

In making the recent announcement, MSU Provost and Executive Vice President Judy Bonner said Easley’s leadership will ensure “the Human Resources Management department continues functioning at a very high level and serving Mississippi State University extremely well.”

“Darrell has been highly recommended to serve in this capacity from various areas of the campus, and I am confident he will support his fellow HRM team members as they continue to provide services that are so important to our faculty, staff and students,” Bonner said.

Longtime Chief Human Resources Officer Judy Spencer recently retired.

Easley has been a part of the MSU staff for 15 years. Since 2014, he has developed and implemented strategic direction for HRM learning and development efforts, including the creation and delivery of instructor led-sessions and eLearning modules for onboarding new employees, workplace bullying and leadership. He also has managed the university’s Leadership Excellence for Accomplished Professionals (LEAP) program, which is focused on the advancement of knowledge, enhancement of leadership skills, and direct practical work application for selected employees.

Prior to joining HRM, Easley served four years as director of MBA programs in the College of Business’s Office of Graduate Studies, where he was instrumental in leading the on-campus program to its first top-100 ranking with U.S. News and World Report in 2014.

Easley’s MSU work experience also includes six years as senior coordinator in the Career Center. As liaison to the Bagley College of Engineering, colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences; Forest Resources; Architecture, Art and Design; Education; and Veterinary Medicine, he collaborated with faculty, department heads and deans to promote the Career Center and connect students with resources for post-graduation success.

A 1997 MSU business administration/management bachelor’s graduate, Easley previously worked as a customized training specialist and an individual training account specialist/case manager for Northeast Mississippi Community College in Booneville. He also holds a Master of Business Administration from Belhaven College, and in 2018, he earned his Doctor of Philosophy degree in community college leadership from MSU.

“I admire Dr. Keenum and our leadership team’s commitment to the MSU family and am honored to serve the university in this role,” Easley said. “Our faculty and staff are the reason MSU is such a great place to work, and HR’s commitment to hire, retain and develop our faculty and staff is priority.”

For more information on MSU’s Human Resources Management department, visit www.hrm.msstate.edu.

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