During a Faculty Senate Meeting on Nov. 13, President Mark Keenum announced that Julia Hodges has been appointed as Interim Provost at Mississippi State.
“I am confident that Dr. Hodges will provide outstanding leadership during the interim period. Please join me in thanking her for taking on this important responsibility,” President Keenum said during last Friday’s Faculty Senate meeting. 
Hodges has been a faculty member at Mississippi State University for over 30 years, most recently serving as associate vice president for academic affairs in the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President. Prior to this, she spent 12 years as the head of the computer science and engineering department. She also received her Bachelor’s Degree from MSU, as well as two masters degrees. 
Hodges will hold the position for several months while the school searches to replace former Provost and Executive Vice President Jerry Gilbert, who recently accepted the job of President at Marshall University in West Virginia.  
“It is a well-deserved opportunity for Jerry, and we wish him and Leigh all the best, even though their departure represents a great loss to Mississippi State,” Keenum said in a campus-wide email to faculty and staff.
In the next few days, a search committee led by Vice President for Research and Economic Development David Shaw will be finalized, and they will begin the process of finding and selecting Gilbert’s successor.
To learn more about the new Interim Provost Dr. Julia Hodges visit http://web.cse.msstate.edu/.