During its regular monthly meeting yesterday, the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) approved new academic units at two of its institutions, including the establishment of the School of Professional Studies at the Mississippi University for Women; and the establishment of the Department of Marketing and Fashion Merchandising, the Department of Finance, Real Estate, and Business Law, and the Department of Educational Studies and Research at the University of Southern Mississippi. The Board also approved modifications to existing academic units. Download the March 2009 Board book for more information.

The Search Advisory Committees for the positions of Commissioner of Higher Education and Chancellor at the University of Mississippi (UM) will hold orientations with the Board's executive search consultant, Parker Executive Search, next week. The Search Advisory Committee for the next Chancellor at the University of Mississippi, chaired by Dr. Alice Clark, UM's Vice Chancellor for Research and Sponsored Programs, will be held on Thursday, March 26, 2009 from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. in the Johnson Commons Ballroom on the University of Mississippi campus, Dorm Row West, University, MS, 38677. The Search Advisory Committee for the next Commissioner of Higher Education, chaired by University of Mississippi Chancellor Robert Khayat, will be held Friday, March 27, 2009 from 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. in the IHL Board Room, Universities Center, 3825 Ridgewood Road, Jackson, MS, 39211. Both meetings are open to the media. View a complete list of Search Advisory Committee members.

IHL's institutional executive officer search process allows Mississippi to be on the consideration list of the highest caliber professionals in higher education. The process is open, transparent and representative-based, and works in accordance with today's recruitment standards for high-level institutions of higher learning. For more information on either search, including a timeline of events, visit the IEO Search page.

Under the leadership of the Board of Trustees, IHL governs the public universities in Mississippi, including Alcorn State University; Delta State University; Jackson State University; Mississippi State University including the Mississippi State University Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine; Mississippi University for Women; Mississippi Valley State University; the University of Mississippi including the University of Mississippi Medical Center; and the University of Southern Mississippi.

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