STARKVILLE, Miss.--Mississippi State and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians are strengthening ties between the university and tribal government to promote leadership development, academic excellence and civic engagement.
University President Mark Keenum recently joined Miko Beasley Denson for a ceremony at Choctaw Central High School to sign a memorandum of understanding establishing a mutually beneficial relationship between the two entities.
"I appreciated the opportunity to visit with Miko Denson and students and faculty at Choctaw Central High School for this special event," Keenum said. "Our ties already are strong, and the agreement will enable us to enhance this relationship in the years to come."
The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians is the Magnolia State's only federally recognized tribe. With headquarters at the Pearl River community near Philadelphia, the community has more than 10,000 members.
Denson, the band's elected leader, is a 1974 MSU graduate in horticulture.
The memorandum calls for the establishment of procedures and protocols through MSU's Global Leadership Continuum, specifically the areas of leadership development and civic engagement. Activities will be undertaken in consultation with MBCI's Division of Schools.
In general, the agreement commits both parties to programs involving the development of professional management concepts and experiences involving tribal leaders, as well as educational and clinical administrators, teachers and students.
For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.
