Mississippi State recognized for excellent safety culture
Contact: Allison Matthews
STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State is gaining widespread recognition for its excellent safety culture.
The national Campus Safety, Health and Environmental Management Association, or CSHEMA, recently recognized key messaging from MSU’s chief executive, a campus safety initiative and an up-and-coming member of the university’s Environmental Health and Safety professional staff. Awards were announced during CSHEMA’s annual conference in Seattle.
MSU President Mark E. Keenum’s “Excellence in Safety Message Video” claimed a 2025 Marketing Single Media Award. Produced for MSU Environmental Health and Safety by the Emmy-winning University Television Center, Keenum’s message emphasizes that safety is a shared responsibility and a university-wide priority that impacts “every aspect of our work.”
“At Mississippi State University, ensuring a safe environment for our students, faculty, staff and visitors isn’t just part of what we do, it’s at the heart of who we are. Everyone plays a crucial role in this commitment to safety. Every day you can set the standards and expectations for a safe working environment through your actions and decisions,” Keenum said in the video that is shown for EHS and supervisor training sessions, departmental presentations and new hire orientations.
EHS, part of the university’s Office of Compliance and Risk Management, also received a 2025 Innovation Award for Safety Culture for its “Excellence in Safety—Graded Reviews Initiative.”
Created to elevate safety as a core institutional value, the effort fosters continuous improvement and accountability. The implementation of graded safety reviews across campus laboratories and facilities, along with a recognition and rewards program, has led to greater visibility, transparency and ongoing peer learning to maximize campus safety and mitigate risk for all faculty, staff and students.
Michael Bratcher received the Rising Star Award in recognition of outstanding contributions since joining the EHS staff as an occupational safety specialist in 2023. He is relatively new to his field after spending more than two decades in elementary and secondary teaching and coaching in Alabama, Florida, Missouri and Texas. Since working with MSU, Bratcher has developed safety videos on topics like chemical labs, surge protectors, ladder use and space heaters, among his many responsibilities.
“Mike has demonstrated exceptional dedication, innovation and initiative in promoting a safer campus environment,” said Alicia Musselwhite, EHS associate director and nominator. “His background in education has been instrumental in developing and delivering impactful training programs that engage faculty, staff and students.”
Learn more about Environmental Health and Safety at MSU at www.ehs.msstate.edu.
Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters. Learn more at www.msstate.edu.