Newsroom

Communications / Newsroom

Newsroom

News Archive

Sheninger to Bring Veteran Insights as Innovative Institute Keynote Speaker
April 28, 2023 Hear from a veteran educator and globally recognized speaker on school innovation at the 2023 Innovative Institute. Eric Sheninger will serve as the keynote speaker for the conference held July 17-18 at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center in Biloxi... Read More
Mann to Keynote MS ACTE 2023
April 27, 2023 Rachael Mann, the top female voice on career and technical education in the nation, will serve as the keynote speaker for the 2023 Mississippi Association for Career and Technical Education (MS ACTE) Summer Conference held July 17-19 in Biloxi... Read More
MS ACTE Accepting Conference Presentation Proposals Through April 16
February 16, 2023 Presentation proposals are now being accepted for the 2023 MS ACTE Summer Conference happening July 17-19 at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center in Biloxi... Read More
MS ACTE, Innovative Institute to be Held Jointly
February 6, 2023 We are excited to announce that the Innovative Institute and MS ACTE will be held in conjunction with each other at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center in Biloxi... Read More
RCU Receives $1.49 Million from ARC’s POWER Initiative
March 17, 2022 Mississippi State University has been awarded $1.49 million by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to infuse virtual reality (VR) career exploration and job training into the education-to-workforce pipeline in Clay, Kemper, Lowndes, Noxubee and Oktibbeha counties... Read More
MS ACTE Registration Now Open Through July 17
March 10, 2022 Registration for the 2022 Mississippi Association for Career and Technical Education (MS ACTE) Summer Conference opened Thursday... Read More
IJBASS Publishes RCU Research on Ethnic, Gender Equity Enrollment, Assessment in CTE
January 5, 2022 An RCU study exploring ethnic and gender equity enrollment and achievement in Mississippi’s career and technical education (CTE) pathways was recently published by the International Journal of Business and Applied Social Science... Read More
Tupelo to Host 2022 Innovative Leadership Summit
December 1, 2021 Tupelo Public School District (TPSD) will host the 2022 Innovative Leadership Summit on Feb. 7, the Mississippi State University Research and Curriculum Unit (RCU) and the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) recently announced... Read More
GEAR UP Mississippi Partners With Betabox for STEM Outreach
October 7, 2021 Mississippi’s Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) initiative is partnering with North Carolina-based Betabox Learning to provide a STEM outreach initiative for the Meridian and Greenville public school districts in the 2021-2022 school year... Read More
RCU GEER Fund Projects Provide Expanded Resources to Mississippi Educators and Students
September 23, 2021 Mississippi educators have access to 13 online courses and expanded digital mathematics resources thanks to a $1.5 million award to Mississippi State University's Research and Curriculum Unit through the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund... Read More
Tedder Selected for ASCD Emerging Leaders Program
September 9, 2021 Mississippi State University Research and Curriculum Unit (RCU) Project Manager Ginger Tedder was recently selected to participate in the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) Emerging Leaders Program... Read More
RCU, MDE Research Suggests Quality Feedback Boosts Learning Outcomes
August 13, 2021A collaborative research project between Mississippi State University Research and Curriculum Unit staff and the Mississippi Department of Education suggests quality feedback from career and technical education teachers given to students before statewide summative assessments positively affected students’ learning outcome on future assessments... Read More
Houf to Keynote Innovative Institute
April 5, 2021Beth Houf, co-author of “Lead Like a PIRATE: Make School Amazing for Your Students and Staff,” will provide the keynote address for this year’s conference that will be held online June 14-15... Read More
Starkville-MSU Partnership Provides New Arena of Opportunities to Students, Future Teachers
March 30, 2021A new Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District (SOCSD) middle school located on the Mississippi State University (MSU) campus is positioned – literally and figuratively – to provide one-of-a-kind educational opportunities to its students and prepare the next generation of teachers with hands-on training in a real-world environment unlike anywhere else in the state... Read More
Journal Publishes RCU Study on CTE Assessment
February 24, 2021The Asian Association of Open Universities Journal recently published a Research and Curriculum (RCU) study on how formative practices positively impact secondary career and technical (CTE) assessment scores in the periodical’s December edition... Read More
Hollis Tabbed to Information Technology Task Force
February 12, 2021Shelly Hollis, the assistant director of cyber education for the RCU, was recently selected to serve on a task force created by C Spire and the Mississippi State Workforce Investment Board aimed at growing the state's information technology workforce... Read More
RCU Awarded $1.5M Through GEER Fund Program
January 28, 2021 Mississippi State University’s Research and Curriculum Unit (RCU) was recently awarded $1.5 million by the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund to implement a pair of projects aimed at providing innovative education solutions across Mississippi... Read More
CCE Named CSforALL Commitment Maker
December 9, 2020 Mississippi State University’s Center for Cyber Education (CCE) was recognized as one of 127 organizations dedicated to making a difference in advancing computer science education during CSforALL’s 2020 Commitments Showcase held virtually on Nov. 18... Read More
CCE to Host Hour of Code Event
December 8, 2020 The Mississippi State University Center for Cyber Education (CCE), located at the university’s Research and Curriculum Unit (RCU), will conclude Computer Science Education Week by hosting an Hour of Code event on Dec. 11... Read More
Inaugural Class Begins C Spire Training Academy
October 23, 2020 Ten teachers began coursework in June as the first class of the C Spire Software Development Teacher Training Academy and are currently in their third course of the program... Read More
RCU Oversees MATT, My Way Mississippi Website Redesigns
October 7, 2020In Fiscal Year 2019-2020, the RCU supported the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) with the revision of the Mississippi Articulation and Transfer Tool (MATT) and My Way Mississippi website... Read More
The RCU Goes Digital: How Programs and Conferences Moved Online During COVID-19
July 17, 2020Thanks to technology, Research and Curriculum Unit staff successfully transitioned the Innovative Institute and New Teacher Induction to online formats this spring and summer after the global coronavirus outbreak... Read More
MS ACTE 2020 Moves Online July 22-23
May 8, 2020With the uncertainty around the COVID-19 outbreak, the 2020 MS ACTE conference will be held online July 22-23... Read More
Taylor Elected ISBE Director
May 5, 2020Michelle Taylor, a project manager for the Mississippi State University Research and Curriculum Unit, has been elected as next International Society for Business Education (ISBE) director to the National Business Education (NBEA) board... Read More
RCU Modifies Summer Training Schedule
April 28, 2020Out of an abundance of caution for stakeholders’ health and well-being during the COVID-19 outbreak, the Mississippi State Research and Curriculum Unit will be modifying its upcoming summer training schedule... Read More
Innovative Institute Moves Online
April 24, 2020Out of an abundance of caution for stakeholders' health and well-being due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the 2020 Innovative Institute will be held online June 15... Read More
Hollis Nominated for Ada Lovelace STEM Educator Award
April 16, 2020Shelly Hollis, the Mississippi State University Center for Cyber Education (CCE) assistant director, was nominated for an Ada Lovelace STEM Educator Award for her contributions in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics... Read More
MEC Approves Waiver for 2019-2020 Tech Master Scholars
April 1, 2020 The Mississippi Economic Council (MEC) approved a waiver request for determining Tech Master Scholars for the 2019-2020 academic year. The waiver only applies to the class... Read More
MS ACTE Call for Proposals Deadline April 10
March 27, 2020 The deadline to submit presentation proposals for the 2020 MS ACTE Conference has been extended to April 10. This year’s MS ACTE conference is scheduled to take place July 22-24 at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center in Biloxi... Read More
Watts Graduates LEAP Program
March 17, 2020 RCU Project Manager Sam Watts added another accolade to his résumé when he graduated from the university’s Leadership Excellence for Accomplished Professionals (LEAP) program in February... Read More
Owen Elected CREATE President
February 27, 2020 Sean Owen, a Mississippi State University Research and Curriculum Unit associate research professor, was elected president of the Consortium for Research on Educational Assessment and Teaching Effectiveness (CREATE) in October... Read More
RCU Assisting Development of New Health-Related Curricula
February 6, 2020 Under the guidance of the RCU, task forces of educators and industry professionals from across the state are helping the MDE develop and implement two new health care-related curricula... Read More
Applications Open for CCE-Hosted Summer Trainings
January 23, 2020 The Mississippi State University Center for Cyber Education is accepting applications for the Code.org Computer Science Discoveries and Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles trainings scheduled for this summer... Read More
C Spire Hosts Statewide Coding Events for Software Development Pathway Students
December 13, 2019 More than 60 students from seven high schools across Mississippi led Hour of CodeTM events at C Spire retail stores and the Brandon High School library last week as part of a comprehensive program to encourage young people to pursue... Read More
Public input sought for Mississippi’s CTE plan
November 19, 2019 The Mississippi State Board of Education is seeking public comments on the Carl D. Perkins V State Plan that governs career and technical education in the state. Mississippi’s vision for education and workforce development is to ensure students graduate high school prepared for post-secondary studies and success in the workforce... Read More
MSU Awarded $27.9 Million Federal Grant to Support College Access and Readiness
September 6, 2019Mississippi State's Research and Curriculum Unit will be the lead center for a seven-year, $27.9 million GEAR UP grant that will prepare low-income students to enter and succeed in postsecondary education... Read More
Proud Partners!
September 5, 2019 C Spire, a proud partner in the Computer Science for Mississippi initiative, has announced that Chief Technology Officer Carla Lewis has been named one of Mississippi’s most influential African Americans by the Our Mississippi Honors organization.... Read More
SBE Approves Computer Science Endorsements
August 27, 2019 The Mississippi State Board of Education recently approved a 12-hour pre-service computer science endorsement for Grades K-8 and an 18-hour supplemental endorsement for Grades 7-12... Read More
RCU Announces 2019-2020 IAD Schedule
August 14, 2019 A new slate of Item Alignment and Development meetings will begin in September at the Mississippi State Research and Curriculum Unit... Read More
Toyota Funds 6 PLTW Initiatives in Northeast Mississippi
February 20, 2019 Students at six Northeast Mississippi elementary schools will receive dynamic learning experiences through Project Lead The Way (PLTW).... Read More
RCU, MDE Seek Innovative Institute Proposals
February 12, 2019 The Mississippi State University Research and Curriculum Unit, in partnership with the Mississippi Department of Education, is inviting schools... Read More
20 Schools Join Partnership on New C Spire Software Development Pathway Pilot Program
February 1, 2019 Twenty Mississippi high school districts and community colleges have agreed to participate in a new pilot program that will use customized curriculum developed from a successful private coding academy.. Read More
MDE, RCU Conclude Perkins V Listening Tour
January 18, 2019 Mississippi Department of Education and Mississippi State University Research and Curriculum staff members are moving forward with the development of a transition plan, due this spring, for the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act... Read More
Staff Spotlight: Romika Sudduth-Conley
December 19, 2018Romika Sudduth-Conley’s walk across the Humphrey Coliseum stage to receive her bachelor’s degree marked the fulfillment of a promise she made to her mother: This fall, the Research and Curriculum Unit project coordinator became the first in her family... Read More
TVA Donation Provides Computer Science Resources
November 15, 2018A $2,500 donation by the Tennessee Valley Authority will provide computer science resources for some North Mississippi teachers. Officials with the Lee County School District, local politicians, and TVA representatives gathered... Read More
Staff Spotlight: Brian Dorsey
November 2, 2018During the work week, you’ll more than likely find Brian Dorsey leading an instructional design meeting or working on national certifications at the Research and Curriculum Unit... Read More
RCU Editor Wins 2018 Best Dissertation Award in Southern History
October 26, 2018A recent Mississippi State doctoral graduate is receiving the 2018 C. Vann Woodward Dissertation Prize from the Southern Historical Association. Jason Hauser, a 2017 graduate and current editor for MSU’s Research and Curriculum Unit, will be recognized... Read More
New Cyber Ed Center at MSU Kicks Off With C Spire Partnership, Advisory Board Meeting
October 18, 2018The Center for Cyber Education’s advisory board held its first meeting on Wednesday afternoon [Oct. 17] a few hours after C Spire announced a $550,000 gift to MSU to support the center’s first official project... Read More
C Spire Tech Movement, Educators Launch Software Development Pathway in Select Schools
October 17, 2018C Spire executives and state education officials unveiled a new pilot program Wednesday [Oct. 17, 2018] that uses customized curriculum developed from a successful non-profit coding academy... Read More
Staff Spotlight: Jason Hauser
September 5, 2018Although he’s a newcomer to the Research and Curriculum Unit, Jason Hauser isn’t new to the world of education... Read More
Skelton Among 2018 LEAP Participants
August 18, 2018Brad Skelton, who leads the Mississippi State University (MSU) Research and Curriculum Unit’s (RCU’s) curriculum team, is one of 17 university professionals participating in the 2018 Leadership Excellence for Accomplished Professionals (LEAP) program... Read More
Staff Spotlight: Leanne Long
July 9, 2018"One of my favorite parts of my job is building relationships with all the educators we encounter. It's one of the things we do well because we are in the field with them."... Read More
Smith Transitions to RCU Leadership Position
June 18, 2018 Longtime educator Betsey Smith now leads the Mississippi State University (MSU) Research and Curriculum Unit (RCU). Smith, who joined the RCU in 2007, was promoted to director June 1... Read More

RCU graduates 80 new career-technical teachers
June 15, 2018 Eighty new career and technical educators will start the upcoming academic year with advanced teaching skills after graduating the Mississippi State University Research and Curriculum Unit’s (RCU’s) New Teacher Induction... Read More
$35K Google grant to fund CS4MS training
May 30, 2018 A $35,000 Google grant will help Mississippi State University’s Research and Curriculum Unit (RCU) train an additional 70 computer science teachers this summer... Read More
Miss. education-policy program graduates 18 fellows
May 9, 2018Eighteen fellows representing a variety of statewide institutions graduated from the Mississippi Education Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP) in an April 25 ceremony at the Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson...Read More
Staff Spotlight: Jo Ann Watts
May 7, 2018After 24 years in the office, Jo Ann Watts has worked with almost every career and technical education (CTE) pathway, and she wouldn’t have it another way....Read More
Staff Spotlight: Kenny Langley
March 5, 2018When talking with Kenny Langley about his passions, a drive for the good of all soon becomes clear over advancing one individual or group, or winning a competition. That mantra guides his work as a project manager at the RCU and in the community...Read More
C Spire pledge growing CS4MS initiative
February 15, 2018 The Mississippi Department of Education's Computer Science for Mississippi (CS4MS) pilot program is expected to benefit from a recent C Spire commitment to improving computer science teachers' skills and professional development... Read More
Staff Spotlight: Pam Stafford
January 1, 2018Pam Stafford, a 10-year veteran of the RCU’s business office, says she is as proud of the work the unit accomplishes now as she was when she first started...Read More
Smith tapped as interim RCU leader
December 1, 2017 Betsey Smith, a 10-year veteran of Mississippi State University’s Research and Curriculum Unit, now leads the organization on an interim basis... Read More
Bryant declares December as Computer Science Month, notes MDE-RCU partnership
November 30, 2017 Governor Phil Bryant signed a proclamation this month declaring December as Computer Science Education Month in Mississippi and noted the ongoing partnership between the Mississippi Department of Education and... Read More
RCU to facilitate Hour of Code events
November 29, 2017 The Research and Curriculum Unit at Mississippi State University will facilitate Hour of Code events for three Mississippi school districts this December. As part of the RCU’s efforts to assist the Mississippi Department of Education expand computer science to every school in the state, the events planned for... Read More
RCU holds CS4MS NIC kickoff meeting in Canton
November 6, 2017 The RCU facilitated a kickoff meeting Friday [Nov. 3] in Canton for the Mississippi Department of Education’s (MDE) Computer Science for Mississippi (CS4MS) initiative, which aims to bolster students’ and teachers’ knowledge and capabilities of computing... Read More
Staff Spotlight: Ashley Brown
November 1, 2017 Ashley Brown landed in education from a love of reading and learning. While teaching high school English, she enjoyed sharing literature and breaking down problems to facilitate students understanding. Read More
Staff Spotlight: Cindy Ming
September 1, 2017 “History lets us look at one event to see how it will impact the future—that’s why I enjoyed sharing history with students,” said Cindy Ming, project manager for the RCU’s innovative-schools team....Read More
MSU units bring computer science courses to K-12 classrooms
September 6, 2017 Two Mississippi State University (MSU) units are leading the charge in bringing computer science to Mississippi’s K-12 classrooms—partially through the funding of a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant. The over $700,000 grant was awarded to the Research and Curriculum (RCU) to advance training and curriculum...Read More
RCU receives $13.6M assessment contract
August 24, 2017 The Research and Curriculum Unit at Mississippi State is beginning the next phase of ongoing career and technical education assessments for the state’s public schools. A 10-year, $13.6 million Mississippi Department of Education contract with the specialized university group went into effect July 1...Read More
New career, technical education teachers at MSU for special summer training
July 13, 2017 More than 50 public career and technical education teachers from around the state are at Mississippi State for a New Teacher Induction training program. The two-week program is part of an alternate-route teacher-certification pathway...Read More
Staff Spotlight: Melissa Luckett
June 30, 2017 Melissa Luckett didn’t set out to work in education when she completed a master’s in public policy and administration, but over the years, she’s always been drawn to the field....Read More
Staff Spotlight: Lois Kappler
March 30, 2017 Lois Kappler never wanted to be a teacher. In fact, as a young girl growing up in Edwardsville, Illinois, she was never particularly challenged in school and found it just an expected routine....Read More
University center launches podcast on innovation in Mississippi K-12 education
March 8, 2017 The Research and Curriculum Unit (RCU) at Mississippi State University has launched Mississippi ED Talk, an audio podcast highlighting the bright spots in Mississippi’s K-12 public education landscape. The first three episodes were released on March 8....Read More
Staff Spotlight: Betsey Smith
December 16, 2016 Ask Betsey Smith, the RCU’s associate director, what she wishes her fellow Mississippians knew about career and technical education (CTE), and she doesn’t hesitate to answer: “CTE is for every child,” she explained. “Because CTE connects to real life, there is truly something for everyone...Read More
Research and Curriculum Unit staff member attends White House computer science summit
September 27, 2016 A staff member from Mississippi State University’s Research and Curriculum Unit (RCU) was selected to attend an invitation-only White House summit on computer science held on September 14, 2016....Read More
Inaugural issue of Mississippi K-12 education magazine published
August 17, 2016 Mississippi’s new magazine on K-12 education, School Focus, premiered in early August. Produced by the RCU in partnership with the Mississippi Department of Education, School Focus highlights the accomplishments of Mississippi teachers and students...Read More
Computer science pilot program wraps up first teacher training
August 3, 2016 The Computer Science for Mississippi program is set to help the state’s students prepare for careers in a high-tech, high-demand field. Also known as CS4MS, the program has completed its summer training for teachers...Read More
New CTE teachers train for classroom through RCU, Department of Education partnership
June 24, 2016 A cohort of 94 new career and technical education (CTE) teachers have been honing their skills at Mississippi State University as part of their training and licensure to be teachers in Mississippi...Read More
Computer Science for Mississippi (CS4MS) teacher training kicks off
June 23, 2016 The Computer Science for Mississippi (CS4MS) pilot program is kicking off its first round of teacher training this summer at sites across Mississippi. Sponsored by the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE), in partnership with the RCU...Read More
Staff Spotlight: Gayle Fortenberry
June 23, 2016 Spend much time talking to Gayle Fortenberry, and her dual passions quickly rise to the surface: agriculture and her students. For Fortenberry, nothing matches the satisfaction of watching her former students thrive in college and careers—especially when those careers lead them back to the farm...Read More
Study finds participation in career and technical education (CTE) linked to higher graduation rates
May 10, 2016 A recent study from the Research and Curriculum Unit (RCU) at Mississippi State University found that participation in career and technical education (CTE) courses is positively correlated with higher graduation rates among Mississippi high school students...Read More
RCU partners with Mississippi Department of Education on Computer Science for Mississippi (CS4MS) pilot
April 19, 2016 The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) has announced the launch of the Computer Science for Mississippi (CS4MS) program, developed in partnership with the RCU. Thirty-four school districts from across Mississippi...Read More
Staff Spotlight: Amanda Tullos
April 4, 2016 If you’re looking for Amanda Tullos, you’re most likely to find her where she’s happiest—in the middle of a crowd. Tullos, who works as a project manager for the RCU’s school innovations team, has a hectic work schedule that takes her all over the state to lead professional development sessions...Read More
Staff Spotlight: Shelly Hollis
January 4, 2016 As the mom of four children going to school in Lafayette County, Mississippi, Shelly Hollis noticed that, with some updates, the local school district’s website could be improved to keep parents better informed. Hollis called to volunteer her expertise in computer science to keep the website updated, but she received a big surprise...Read More
University research center celebrates 50 years serving public education
January 4, 2016 The Research and Curriculum Unit (RCU), located at Mississippi State University (MSU), is celebrating its 50th anniversary. With a focus on preparing all students to graduate ready for college, career, and life, the RCU has a proud history...Read More
Staff Spotlight: Roslyn Miller
October 5, 2015 When numbers need to be crunched or a program is in need of evaluation, Roslyn Miller is the RCU’s go-to expert. With her research and data skills, Miller plays a key role in the RCU’s communication, research, and evaluation team...Read More
Staff Spotlight: Theresa Wheeler
June 1, 2015 On equality in education, a matter close to her heart, Theresa Wheeler says, “Education is not and never will be the great equalizer, but it’s a tool nevertheless.” Wheeler says that her tool is research, and she feels a sense of duty to use it to affect education....Read More
Staff Spotlight: Alexis Nordin
February 1, 2015 When Alexis Nordin joined the RCU as a research associate in 2012, her past experience in human resources and teaching international students was an indication of the unique voice she would bring to the RCU. Nordin maintains a strong connection to the past, having an uncanny ability to notice what works...Read More