Mississippi State University has named longtime faculty member and senior administrator David Shaw its new provost and executive vice president.
MSU President Mark Keenum announced Shaw’s appointment, which is awaiting formal approval from the state Institutions of Higher Learning’s Board of Trustees, on Wednesday. According to a university press release, Shaw, as the university’s second-ranking administrative officer, will report directly to Keenum and is responsible for all academic policies, the integrity of the university’s academic mission and MSU’s academic operations. Shaw will provide direct oversight for MSU’s eight colleges and Starkville and Meridian campuses, and for many academic and non-academic support units.
Shaw will officially begin his new position on July 1.
He is following Judith A. “Judy” Bonner, who in January announced her intention to retire from her role as MSU’s provost.
“I was impressed not only with Dr. Shaw’s exemplary record of leadership and accomplishment over the last three-plus decades at MSU, but also with his passionate vision and enthusiasm for academic excellence, student success and expanding opportunity and access,” Keenum said in the release. “I’m confident that Dr. Shaw will make an immediate impact on our university in this new and demanding role. David understands our land-grant mission and the diverse constituencies we serve. I have great personal confidence in his commitment to MSU.”
Shaw’s career with MSU began in 1985, when he joined the faculty as an assistant professor in the Department of Plant Pathology and Weed Science. In 1999, he earned the university’s highest honorary distinction and was recognized as a William L. Giles Distinguished Professor.
Shaw currently serves as MSU’s vice president for research and economic development. According to the release, under Shaw’s leadership, MSU now accounts for more than half of all funded university research in the state of Mississippi, with research expenditures in excess of $240 million.
Mississippi State has attended Carnegie R1 status and the National Science Foundation ranks it 94th overall in research and development and 64th among public universities. MSU’s rankings include a No. 9 ranking in agriculture research and No. 17 in social science research.
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