Contact: Bethany Shipp

STARKVILLE, Miss.— Two Mississippi State staff members are recent graduates of the College Business Management Institute, a premier national professional development program providing business officers and administrators with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in higher education business administration.

Tonya Calmes, business coordinator for the Department of Psychology housed in the College of Arts and Sciences, and Chekila Young, business coordinator for the Department of Teacher Education and Leadership in the College of Education, completed the program during the institute’s annual meeting in Lexington, Kentucky, July 21-26.

Co-sponsored by the Southern Association of College and University Business Officers and the University of Kentucky, CBMI offers an intensive course of study in business and financial management for administrators representing higher education institutions across the country.

“My participation in the CBMI will enhance my professional career at MSU by improving my skills and knowledge to make effective decisions. It was a great experience to meet and network with many individuals with different diverse backgrounds,” said Calmes.

“CBMI is a great program to participate in,” said Young. “It was very informative and gave us insights into the current issues facing higher education. It was also a great networking opportunity in a very diverse population. I highly encourage any administrator in higher education to attend in the future.”

This year, more than 70 courses ranging from entry-level to advanced were taught by distinguished faculty, giving participants an overview of current issues and procedures applicable to colleges and universities.

Individuals participate in one week of instruction every summer for three years to complete the program and may earn up to 28 hours of continuing professional credits each summer. Graduates are honored during a ceremony and receive a certificate of completion.

MSU’s College of Education is home to five academic departments, a division of education, one research unit and numerous service units. Learn more at https://www.educ.msstate.edu/.

MSU’s College of Arts and Sciences is the largest academic college at the land-grant university and is home to 27-degree programs, nine doctoral and 14 master’s programs in 14 departments. Learn more at www.cas.msstate.edu.

Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters. Learn more at www.msstate.edu.