MSU members help lead Fulbright Association’s Mississippi Chapter
The Mississippi Chapter of the Fulbright Association announced its newly elected board and officers, whose collective work will advance international exchange, cross-cultural understanding, and global engagement throughout the state.
With leadership anchored at Mississippi State University, the chapter brings together educators and practitioners from universities and school districts across the state to ignite curiosity, dialogue and global connection. It supports Fulbright alumni, promotes international education, and advances the Fulbright mission of mutual understanding through statewide engagement.
“The Fulbright Association exists to spark something bigger than any single program or institution,” said Masey Smith, president of the Mississippi Chapter of the Fulbright Association and deputy director of MSU’s International Institute. “Our chapter is about igniting a fire for global exchange—encouraging Mississippians to see themselves as part of an interconnected world and to engage with it thoughtfully and boldly.”
Executive officers include:
- President: Masey Smith, Mississippi State University
- Vice President: Lokesh Shivakumaraiah, Mississippi Valley State University
- Treasurer: David Hoffman, Mississippi State University
- Secretary: Chance Carden, Mississippi State University
- Interest Group Coordinator: Ghanshyam Heda, Mississippi University for Women
Board members include:
- Peter Allen, Mississippi State University
- Nicole Jefferson, Harrison County School District
- Blair Thompson, University of Mississippi
- Jessi Jobe, Mississippi University for Women
Smith emphasized MSU’s role as a hub for collaboration and global leadership within the chapter.
“Mississippi State University has long valued international engagement and the exchange of ideas across borders,” Smith said. “By helping lead this chapter, MSU is contributing energy, expertise, and a commitment to partnership that benefits institutions and communities across Mississippi.”
The new board will focus on strengthening connections among Fulbright alumni, educators and global partners, while creating opportunities for dialogue, programming and shared learning that extend beyond campus boundaries. The MSU members spent months building dialogue across Mississippi institutions and encouraging community members across the state to reach out and get involved.
“Our strength comes from working together,” said Chance Carden, chapter secretary and project manager at MSU’s International Institute. “When institutions across Mississippi collaborate through the Fulbright Association, we create space for meaningful exchange—exchange that changes classrooms, communities, and perspectives.”
For more information about the Mississippi Chapter of the Fulbright Association contact Smith at mls524@msstate.edu.