Director of Admissions Operations

Jessi Jobe was recently announced as director of admissions operations. The newly created position assists the executive director of Enrollment Management in long-range planning, personnel issues and overall budgetary matters for the Office of Admissions. Additionally, Jobe is responsible for the University’s prospective/ admitted student database and evaluating undergraduate transcripts for admissions purposes. Before joining The W, Jobe served as the international student adviser at MSU, where she advised international students on admission policies and procedures while providing guidance and assistance for daily campus life.

‘Best of The Triangle’

Dr. Hope Durst, assistant professor of education, was named Best College Professor in The Commercial Dispatch’s annual “Best of the Triangle.” A yearly competition, The “Best of the Triangle” is an opportunity for the public vote to decide who is the best at what they do. The contest encompasses the entire Golden Triangle. Durst was previously named among the best college professors in the 2023 contest. A Columbus native, Durst joined The W seven years ago as an adjunct professor and moved into a faculty position four years ago.

$1M NSF Grant

Dr. Travis Hagey, associate professor of biology at The W, was named among the 2024 recipients of the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award totaling a little over $1 million for five years. The award will allow for ample field work studying gecko toepads across the globe. Awarded to early-career faculty at eligible universities throughout the country, the Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program is a competitive grant aimed at promoting research and leadership in non-tenured faculty. Applicants must submit a proposal, which is reviewed, and approximately 500 recipients are chosen nationwide.

Honorary Commander

Clear Moore was named an honorary commander for Columbus Air Force Base. The 14th Flying Training Wing hosted an honorary commander induction in August at the Columbus Event Center on Columbus Air Force Base. For two to three years, honorary commanders are connected and engaged with their designated military unit and are expected to be a bridge to the community for military members. There were 15 honorary commanders inducted into their respective squadrons or groups. Moore was named director of the Student Success Center in 2023.

MAC Artist Fellowship

Dr. Valentin M. Bogdan, professor of music, was awarded an Artist Fellowship from the Mississippi Arts Commission in the classical music composition category. This competitive award is a portion of the more than $1.7 million in grants MAC awarded in Fiscal Year 2025. This is the second time in his career that Bogdan has received this prestigious award. Bogdan, an accomplished composer and pianist, has showcased his musical prowess across Europe, North America and the Middle East, performing in esteemed venues in the US, Canada, Netherlands, Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy, Romania and Jordan.

New Dean

Kelly Collins Woodford is The W’s new dean of the College of Business and Professional Studies. For nearly three decades, Woodford has worked in higher education. Most recently, she served as the assistant dean for student affairs at Emory University School of Law. During that time, Woodford oversaw academic advising, the registrar, student organizations, student life, wellness and bar preparation while overseeing the operating budget.

Provost Fellow

Dr. Reyna Vergara, associate professor of Spanish, was named the university’s Provost Fellow for fall 2024 to further her project of developing Hispanic Heritage Month campus programming focused on cultural intersections. Dr. Vergara’s efforts have been focused on projects that further the university’s commitments to cultivating collaborations to create healthy and vibrant communities and programming that contributes to cultural enrichment as it enhances multicultural awareness and understanding.

W Athletics

Brian Merkel has returned to The W as assistant athletics director after two years at Starkville Academy. Merkel, who started the Owls men’s basketball program in 2018 and served as its head coach until 2021, began his new duties at The W in June. While at SA, Merkel served as the boys’ basketball coach.

New VPO/CFO

Carla McGarity Lowery now serves as vice president for operations and chief financial officer (CFO). Lowery is responsible for university financial operations, maintenance of financial records while overseeing construction, repairs and renovation projects. Lowery served as interim CFO at The W since May 2023. Since 2001, Lowery has held various leadership positions including chief information officer, emergency management coordinator and director of Institutional Research. As a faculty member, Lowery taught multiple courses, including information systems, MIS projects and database applications.

FAAC^® Designation

Financial Aid director Nicole Patrick has been awarded the designation of

Certified Financial Aid Administrator (FAAC®) by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA). To earn the FAAC® designation, professionals must demonstrate sufficient industry-related experience, successfully pass a comprehensive knowledge exam and affirm commitment to the standards for ethical behavior that are a hallmark of the financial aid profession. Patrick’s achievement of this certification serves as a testament to her commitment to the profession and the University’s student population.

“I am excited to receive the NASFAA Certified Financial Aid Administrator distinction.  This certification will add value to our office and our institution, as well as benefit my career in Financial Aid. Financial Aid Administrators have an important role in the institution’s overall success, and this certification adds a layer of credibility,” said Patrick.

Excellence in Diversity

Dr. Catherine Cotton was named the recipient of The W’s Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award. She was honored alongside faculty from each of Mississippi’s public universities in February at the annual Diversity and Inclusion Awards ceremony of the Mississippi Board of Trustees of the State Institutions of Higher Learning in Jackson. Cotton, assistant professor of speech-language pathology, consistently co-leads first-year speech-language pathology graduate students and faculty members through discussions surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion-related topics. Students and faculty regularly reflect upon selected articles, videos and questions geared toward connecting the monthly topic with personal and professional interactions, as it relates to current and future clients and colleagues. The monthly discussions allow students to view experiences through the lenses of their classmates, peers and current and potentially future clients.

Cotton explained, “We are working with people. There will be similarities, but when those differences occur, it is not because the family is disobedient or difficult; it could be due to cultural differences, socioeconomic status differences, or a lack of experiences. When we look at it from that viewpoint, and then try to understand, then we can get our goals met because we’re treating them as a person who might have some different experiences.”

Art Exhibitions

Thomas Nawrocki, emeritus art professor, has prints in the following art exhibitions: 10th Bower Center Annual National Juried Exhibition, Bower Center for the Arts, Bedford, Virginia; Webster Arts Open Theme Annual, Webster Arts Center, Webster, Groves, Missouri; American Color Print Society Exhibition, The Plastic Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; National Juried Art Competition, Athens Arts Gallery, Crawfordsville, Indiana (award); and the National Multi-Media Juried Art Show, Wilson Arts, Wilson, North Carolina. 

Professional Recognition

Two professors in the Department of Psychology & Family Science earned professional recognition. Dr. Dorothy Berglund, who is the department chair, was honored for distinguished service as chair of the Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) Advisory Board at the annual conference of the National Council on Family Relations, the professional home of CFLE. Dr. Cecy Brooks, an assistant professor of Family Science, completed the national, standardized exam to become a CFLE.

Lowery named interim CFO at The W

Carla Lowery was named interim vice president for operations and chief financial officer (CFO), effective May 1. Lowery has served The W since 2001 holding various leadership positions. As a faculty member,

Lowery taught various courses, including information systems using microcomputers, MIS projects and database applications.

She has served the university through numerous committees and councils, including Enrollment Management Council, SACSCOC Steering Committee, Quality Enhancement Plan Selection Committee, President’s Cabinet, Academic Council and Administrative Council.

As CFO, Lowery will be responsible for overseeing the financial operations of the university.

She will also oversee University Accounting, Resources Management, Facilities Management, Information Technology Services and Institutional Research and Assessment.

Lowery holds a Master of Science in Business Administration from Mississippi State University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Mississippi University for Women.