July 2019
Jordan named interim vice president for research and economic development

Julie Jordan has been named Mississippi State University's interim vice president of research and economic development.

The current associate vice president for international programs and executive director of the MSU International Institute is a veteran higher education administrator who previously served for seven years as director of MSU's Research and Curriculum Unit. She assumes her new duties July 1, pending formal approval by the Board of Trustees, State Institutions of Higher Learning.

Jordan, an MSU alumnus, succeeds David R. Shaw, who was recently promoted to MSU's provost and executive vice president.

MSU President Mark E. Keenum applauded Jordan's appointment: "I have long admired Dr. Jordan's leadership skills and solid work ethic. I have every confidence she will do an outstanding job as interim vice president for research and economic development."

As Mississippi's leading research university, research is a vital aspect of the university's mission. MSU remains ranked among the nation's top 100 research institutions in the most recent report from the National Science Foundation and is classified as an R1 "Very High Research Activity" university by the Carnegie Foundation.

Jordan began leading the International Institute on an interim basis in October 2017 and was named the permanent director in June 2018. The International Institute reports equally to MSU's Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President, ORED and Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine.

At the RCU, the Columbus resident led and managed a staff of 40 professionals, while increasing external funding and expanding the unit's impact. During the past two years, she has worked with university leaders and the Office of Research and Economic Development to expand MSU's partnerships in Morocco and cultivate new partnerships around the world.

With more than 30 years of professional experience as a business owner, entrepreneur, teacher and trainer, Jordan also previously worked for the university as a project manager for the Mississippi State Community Action Team.

"Julie brings a great deal of relevant experience to this important position," Shaw said. "Throughout her MSU career, she has stepped up to serve in important leadership roles. I appreciate her commitment to nurturing and growing our academic partnerships and research collaborations."

The NSF Higher Education Research and Development Survey for Fiscal Year 2017 places the university at 94th overall among public and private institutions in the country, based on nearly $241 million in total research and development expenditures. It is ranked 58th among non-medical school institutions, and 64th among public institutions.

For the most recent year reported, Mississippi State ranks 64th among all engineering colleges nationally in research and development expenditures, ninth in agricultural sciences research, and 17th in social sciences. The university's programs in computer sciences, geosciences, chemistry, and life sciences all are ranked in the top 100.