Continuing its commitment to innovation and responsible leadership in technology, Mississippi State University President Mark E. Keenum announced the appointment of former MSU Vice President for Research and Economic Development Julie Jordan as the university’s first Senior Advisor for Artificial Intelligence and Data Governance.
Jordan transitioned from vice president to devote her full efforts to this new role, where she now leads the university’s strategic initiatives in artificial intelligence and oversees the development and implementation of comprehensive data governance. This new position reflects MSU’s commitment to advancing research and education while ensuring the ethical and effective use of data and AI.
Keenum said Jordan’s new position would “continue to demonstrate MSU’s emergence as a leader in AI as we serve our students, our state, and our nation’s rapidly expanding digital economy.”
“Dr. Jordan’s extensive experience and foresight have been instrumental in our growth as a research leader,” Keenum said. “Her new leadership position is vital for MSU as we pioneer the responsible adoption of these technologies across our campus, ensuring our position at the forefront of this new era of innovation.”
Since being named vice president in 2019, Jordan has overseen significant growth in MSU’s research portfolio and has been a strong advocate for the responsible development of AI.
Based on her leadership, Jordan was selected to serve as an ex officio member of the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Regulation Task Force established earlier this year by the Mississippi Legislature. The group is designed to ensure that AI technologies are developed and used in a responsible, ethical, and transparent manner that aligns with the state’s values and missions.
Jordan also serves on the AI Workforce Readiness Council, established by executive order of Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves last June, which is a partnership between AccelerateMS, the Mississippi Development Authority, and Amazon Web Services. The Council focuses on the development of artificial intelligence , machine learning, and technical capacities in Mississippi’s colleges and universities to support the multi-billion-dollar expansion of AWS in the state.
The initiative, known as the Mississippi AI Talent Accelerator Program, or MAI-TAP, establishes a training infrastructure that benefits the broader technology and information sectors.
“I am honored to take on this new challenge,” Jordan said. “This role is a crucial step in ensuring that MSU uses AI and data in a way that is not only innovative but also responsible and secure. I look forward to working with our talented faculty and staff to accelerate university-wide adoption and set the standard for institutional data governance.”
Succeeding Jordan as interim vice president for research and economic development is Scott T. Willard, who previously was Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Director of the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, or MAFES.
“Dean Willard’s proven record of effective leadership and scholarship as a dean and director makes him the perfect choice to build on the momentum of our overall university research enterprise,” said Keenum. “His deep understanding of our land-grant mission and commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration will serve our university well.”
Willard has been instrumental in growing the MAFES research profile and promoting innovative academic programs in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
“I am excited to lead MSU’s research and economic development efforts and to support our incredible faculty and students,” said Willard. “MSU has a rich history of impactful, multi-disciplinary research, and I look forward to fostering a collaborative environment that drives discovery and innovation across all our fields.”
Darrell Sparks, a longtime Mississippi State faculty member with more than a decade of service, has been named acting dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and acting director of the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station in Willard’s absence.
Sparks has served as associate dean for the university’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences since 2022. He has held numerous leadership positions at MSU, including associate and interim state chemist, director of the Mississippi State Chemical Laboratory and faculty member in the Department of Biochemistry, Nutrition and Health Promotion.
A two-time graduate of MSU, Sparks earned his bachelor’s and doctoral degrees in chemical engineering.
“I’m excited to take on these new responsibilities for my alma mater,” Sparks said. “Our college prepares students to become leaders in agriculture and life sciences and our faculty members conduct research that advances agricultural productivity and innovation. We also lead in research in life sciences that improves health, well-being and quality of life for Mississippians. I look forward to continuing to support these outstanding programs from this new vantage point.”
By Sid Salter