| Wednesday, September 16, 2026 |
| MSU welcomes 14th Mississippi Excellence in Teaching Program cohort | |
 | Thirty-six Mississippi State students are new scholarship recipients in one of the state's most prestigious teacher education programs. Housed in the university's College of Education, the Mississippi Excellence in Teaching Program is a collaborative endeavor with the University of Mississippi. The scholarship, available to majors in K-12 education, includes full tuition, housing, dining, books, a $1,000 technology stipend and a fully funded national or study-abroad experience. Funded by the Jackson-based Robert M. Hearin Support Foundation, the scholarship is valued at approximately $100,000 over four years. "These outstanding scholars represent the future of education in Mississippi," said MSU College of Education Dean Teresa Jayroe. "Through the METP, they will receive exceptional preparation, meaningful professional experiences and the support needed to become highly effective educators. We are proud to welcome this new cohort and grateful for their commitment to serving students and strengthening communities across our state." |
| Ready, Set, College! | |
| Photo: Nathan Griffey, Mississippi State University assistant director, provides insight on educational opportunities to Shawn Robertson, 81st Operations Support Flight airfield operations chief, and his son, Ethan, during the Ready, Set, College event at Keeler Air Force Base, Mississippi, Sept. 10, 2026. The Keesler Military and Family Readiness Center event offered an opportunity for families with high school students to connect with college representatives and educational resources. |
| Mississippi experts warn of invasive pasture mealybug threat | |
 | Entomologists and forage specialists at Mississippi State University (MSU) encouraged farmers to scout their pastures for signs of pasture mealybugs, which have not been detected int he state. "We can't definitively say we don't have it here. It could be here. We just haven't detected it yet," said Zia Williamson, an entomologist with the MSU Extension Service who specializes in forages, turf and ornamentals. "We feel it is likely just a matter of time until we do find them because they move so easily from one place to another." The pasture mealybug, known by its scientific name Heliococcus summervillei, can quickly damage and eventually kill pastures and hay fields if undetected. They can spread to new areas by such ways as the movement of hay or by wind. The pest was first confirmed in the U.S. in Texas in fall 2025 and has since been found in Louisiana and Florida. MSU Extension specialists are collaborating with specialists in all three states to understand more about the pest's behavior and effects in the U.S. |
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