A West Point native is the new Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Officer at Mississippi State University.
Paula A. Jernigan of Starkville was named to the post April 3, pending formal approval of the Board of Trustees, State Institutions of Higher Learning. She has served as an assistant director in the department of human resources management since 1998. She joined HRM in 1989 as manager of employee relations and development.
Jernigan holds two degrees from MSU, a bachelor's in home economics education in 1976 and a master of business administration in 1983.
She began working at the university in 1976 as an admissions counselor in the Division of Student Affairs. In 1983, she moved to the College of Veterinary Medicine as program manager for research and diagnostic laboratory services. Six years later, she became the college's marketing coordinator.
In addition to her current university administrative duties, Jernigan serves as president of the College and University Personnel Association of Mississippi.
She replaces David A. Torres, who recently accepted a similar position in the state of New Mexico.
