The Mississippi State University Foundation has announced strategic personnel changes, highlighting the institution’s dedication to promoting strong alumni and corporate relationships.
Lilly Bjorkman has assumed the newly created role of associate director of corporate and foundation relations. In this position, she will work to secure gifts from corporations and charitable foundations. She will also serve as a primary liaison for key stakeholders such as MSU’s Career Center and Office of Research and Economic Development.
Bjorkman earned a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from the University of Missouri in 2017. The Galesburg, Illinois-native then spent several years as a development specialist for the Muscular Dystrophy Association before joining Mississippi State as assistant director of development for the College of Business in 2020.
Peyton Hudspeth was named associate director of annual giving in July. A native of Brandon, she graduated from MSU with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education in 2020. Prior to joining the Foundation staff, Hudspeth served as an educator at the Partnership Middle School and Starkville High School.
Rob Jenkins has returned to the College of Business as the senior director of development. With almost two decades at MSU, he is a seasoned fundraiser with experience in several academic colleges, including arts and sciences and education. Most recently, he served as an associate athletic director for development. He is a 1992 business administration graduate from Starkville who joined the development staff in 2006.
Erin Novorot recently assumed the role of coordinator of gift planning. She is a 2007 MSU graduate from Indianola. She has worked in the College of Business since 2016, where she managed the college’s scholarship program and most recently served as the advancement coordinator.
Kristi Swift has been appointed as the director of development for the College of Education and MSU Library in the Foundation. Swift graduated from MSU in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She also holds a master’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and a specialist degree from Delta State University—both in educational leadership. The Meridian native worked for the Starkville Oktibbeha School District for 17 years before joining the Foundation.
For more on the efforts and milestones of the MSU Foundation, visit msufoundation.com.
