Contact: Harriet Laird
STARKVILLE, Miss.—Andrew Rendon, Mississippi State executive director of Veterans and Military Affairs, is transitioning into a new assistant vice president role at the university, with dual reporting in the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President and Division of Student Affairs.
In this newly created position effective Nov. 1, Rendon will oversee MSU’s military liaison activities with the U.S. Department of War and its recently formed Corp of Cadets, while also advancing the university’s work and reputation as a major contributor to national security initiatives and workforce development.
He continues management of the G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery Center for America’s Veterans and student ROTC programs of the Army and Air Force. MSU has long been known and ranked as a top institution nationally in military-connected student success, which includes veterans, active service, dependents and spouses.
Provost and Executive Vice President David Shaw said of Rendon’s increased responsibilities, “The broadened structure of Dr. Rendon’s position will ensure a more coordinated strategy and operation for Mississippi State’s long-term priorities in military education and services we offer and deliver. He understands the importance of our educational opportunities for military-connected students and significance of our participation in national security and workforce initiatives.”
Regina Hyatt, vice president for Student Affairs, said, “Dr. Rendon’s expertise, including his past and current military service, will help elevate MSU’s efforts in supporting military-connected students and growing the university’s military- and defense-related priorities. These students, including veterans and those in active service, remain a critical focus for his work in ensuring Mississippi State continues to be their top choice.”
Employed with the university for two decades, Rendon has been in the executive director role with the MSU veterans center since 2024 and is the founding director. He earlier served as assistant dean and planning and assessment director for the Division of Student Affairs.
A former Army ROTC assistant military science professor, Rendon was on U.S. Army active duty for nine years and joined the National Guard in 2004. His National Guard tenure led to his promotion as colonel and then brigadier general in 2024, a general officer rank achieved by less than one-half of 1% of officers.
Named by the national Military Friendly organization as Mississippi’s 2025 Veteran of the Year, Rendon holds a Ph.D. in public policy and administration from MSU and a Master of Strategic Studies degree from the U.S. Army War College. He also earned an MSU master’s in public policy and administration and bachelor’s in political science.
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