Jordan to lead MSU鈥檚 AI efforts in new role, Willard named interim VP for research, economic development
Contact: Sid Salter
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擟ontinuing its commitment to innovation and responsible leadership in technology, 香蕉直播 President Mark E. Keenum today announced the appointment of current 香蕉直播Vice President for Research and Economic Development Julie Jordan as the university鈥檚 first Senior Adviser for Artificial Intelligence and Data Governance beginning Nov. 1.
Jordan will transition from vice president to devote her full efforts to this new role, where she will lead the university鈥檚 strategic initiatives in artificial intelligence (AI) and oversee the development and implementation of comprehensive data governance. This new position reflects MSU鈥檚 commitment to advancing research and education while ensuring the ethical and effective use of data and AI.聽
Keenum said Jordan鈥檚 new position would 鈥渃ontinue to demonstrate MSU鈥檚 emergence as a leader in AI as we serve our students, our state, and our nation鈥檚 rapidly expanding digital economy.鈥
鈥淒r. Jordan鈥檚 extensive experience and foresight have been instrumental in our growth as a research leader,鈥 said Keenum. 鈥淗er new leadership position is vital for 香蕉直播as we pioneer the responsible adoption of these technologies across our campus, ensuring our position at the forefront of this new era of innovation.鈥
Since being named vice president in 2019, Jordan has overseen significant growth in MSU鈥檚 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鈥檚 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 (MDA), and Amazon Web Services (AWS). The Council focuses on the development of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and technical capacities in Mississippi鈥檚 colleges and universities to support the multi-billion 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.聽
鈥淚 am honored to take on this new challenge,鈥 Jordan said. 鈥淭his role is a crucial step in ensuring that 香蕉直播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.鈥澛
Succeeding Jordan as interim vice president for research and economic development will be Scott T. Willard, current Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Director of the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, or MAFES, since 2022.聽聽聽聽聽聽
鈥淒ean Willard鈥檚 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,鈥 said Keenum. 鈥淗is deep understanding of our land-grant mission and commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration will serve our university well.鈥澛
Willard has been instrumental in growing the MAFES research profile and promoting innovative academic programs in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.聽
鈥淚 am excited to lead MSU鈥檚 research and economic development efforts and to support our incredible faculty and students,鈥 said Willard. 鈥溝憬吨辈as 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.鈥澛
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