Contact: James Carskadon

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Julie Jordan has been named Mississippi State University’s associate vice president for international programs and executive director of the MSU International Institute.

Jordan, who previously served as director of MSU’s Research and Curriculum Unit for seven years, has led the International Institute on an interim basis since October. The International Institute reports equally to MSU’s Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President, Office of Research and Economic Development and Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine. 

“Dr. Jordan has provided outstanding leadership during this interim period, and we have every confidence that she will continue to provide exemplary service to the International Institute and its mission,” said MSU Provost and Executive Vice President Judy Bonner.

At the RCU, Jordan 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.

“We’re very pleased that Julie Jordan will be leading the International Institute,” MSU Vice President for Research and Economic Development David Shaw said. “She has stepped up to serve in important leadership roles when called upon, and I appreciate her commitment to the growth of our international initiatives, from academic partnerships to research collaboration.”

The Columbus resident and MSU alumna will oversee operations of the campus unit that fosters and provides oversight for the university’s various international scholarship, research and outreach efforts. Jordan also will work to promote and expand global visibility and activities that are major components of the land-grant institution’s “State of Excellence” strategic plan.

“The International Institute serves as the university’s hub for integrating global experiences into the institutional framework so that students, faculty and staff are not only more aware but have increased opportunities to actively engage and contribute to solving our global challenges,” Jordan said. “The institute staff is committed to this work, and I am grateful for the chance to serve MSU in this capacity.”

Jordan will lead International Institute units that include the English Language Institute, International Services, and the Study Abroad and International Student Exchange programs, as well as promoting international collaborations in research and outreach.

“With significant global challenges facing our planet and our societies, land-grant universities must apply their academic, scientific and extension capabilities to find solutions,” she said. “Global food security could be the most pressing challenge we have as the world population swells to an estimated 9.7 billion people by 2050. Building more resilient cities capable of managing both natural and man-made disasters is becoming increasingly important as migration patterns move millions more people into already crowded cities. The global problems our graduates will have to solve are complex and integrated.”

Greg Bohach, vice president of MSU’s Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine added, “Our faculty, staff and students are engaged in international collaborations throughout the world. Dr. Jordan is a proven leader that can provide advice and council to ensure that our research, extension and teaching programs are meeting international needs.”

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

For more information on MSU’s International Institute and its programs, visit http://international.msstate.edu/about/index.php.

MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.