Mississippi State University Executive and Leadership Team

September, 2026

Leadership Overview

Mississippi State University has 10 executives leading key functions including academic administration, information technology, marketing, strategic operations, financial planning, and institutional leadership.

Committed to academic excellence and research innovation, Mississippi State University fosters a transformative learning environment that prepares students for global success through rigorous programs and community engagement.

Leadership Roles at Mississippi State University

  • Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Ad, Business Strategy - Mitch Moser
  • Interm President - Roy Ruby
  • National President - Lynn Burwell
  • MSU President - Mark Keenum
  • President - Ralph Alewine
  • Chief Information Officer - Steve Parrott
  • Chief Marketing Officer - Thomas Broadus
  • Chief of Staff - Nicolas Harris
  • Deputy Chief Information Officer & Director, Special Projects - Timothy Griffin
  • Deputy Director - Sara Fuller
  • Mitch Moser - Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Ad, Business Strategy

    Mitch Moser, the Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Ad, Business Strategy at Mississippi State University, architects the financial models that support long-term institutional sustainability. Overseeing business strategy and fiscal planning, the Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Ad, Business Strategy ensures that resource allocation aligns with the university's academic priorities and growth objectives. This leadership role involves analyzing market trends to identify new revenue streams and cost-saving opportunities across campus operations. By optimizing financial performance, Mitch Moser directly impacts the university's ability to invest in new facilities and academic programs. The Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Ad, Business Strategy collaborates with the Board and executive leadership to maintain fiscal transparency and accountability. Through rigorous financial forecasting and strategic planning, the Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Ad, Business Strategy secures the economic foundation necessary for the university to thrive in a complex educational market, ensuring that every dollar supports the core mission of student success.

    Roy Ruby - Interm President

    Roy Ruby, the Interm President at Mississippi State University, provides steady leadership during transitional periods to ensure continuity in academic and administrative functions. Overseeing the university's core operations, the Interm President maintains focus on institutional stability while fostering an environment conducive to ongoing research and teaching excellence. This leadership role involves engaging with faculty, staff, and students to address immediate needs while preparing the institution for future strategic shifts. By upholding the university's values, Roy Ruby directly impacts the morale and productivity of the campus community. The Interm President collaborates with the Board to facilitate smooth governance and maintain progress on existing initiatives. Through decisive action and clear communication, the Interm President ensures that the university remains committed to its mission of providing high-quality education. This position remains vital for preserving the momentum of the institution, ensuring that academic and operational standards remain high during periods of executive change.

    Lynn Burwell - National President

    Lynn Burwell, the National President at Mississippi State University, directs external relations and alumni engagement efforts on a national scale. Overseeing the university's outreach programs, the National President cultivates relationships with donors, industry partners, and alumni to support institutional advancement. This leadership role involves representing the university at national forums to advocate for higher education funding and research support. By expanding the university's network, Lynn Burwell directly impacts the availability of scholarships and research grants. The National President collaborates with the development office to execute fundraising campaigns that align with the university's strategic vision. Through consistent engagement with the national community, the National President strengthens the university's reputation and influence. This role remains essential for building the external support systems necessary for the university to achieve its long-term goals, ensuring that the institution remains connected to a broad network of supporters who champion its academic mission.

    Mark Keenum - MSU President

    Mark Keenum, the MSU President at Mississippi State University, defines the overarching strategic vision and academic mission of the institution. Overseeing all university operations, the MSU President leads the executive team in advancing research, teaching, and service initiatives that define the university's impact. This leadership role involves setting institutional priorities, managing relationships with state and federal government entities, and ensuring the university remains a leader in agricultural and technical education. By championing innovation, Mark Keenum directly impacts the university's growth and its contribution to the regional economy. The MSU President collaborates with the Board to ensure that all policies support the long-term success of students and faculty. Through visionary leadership, the MSU President drives the university toward achieving its goals of academic excellence and community engagement. This position remains the primary force behind the university's strategic direction, ensuring that the institution continues to fulfill its mission of providing transformative educational opportunities.

    Ralph Alewine - President

    Ralph Alewine, the President at Mississippi State University, provides high-level oversight for specific institutional divisions focused on specialized academic and community outreach. Overseeing the integration of community-based programs with university research, the President ensures that the institution's expertise addresses real-world challenges. This leadership role involves managing partnerships with local and regional organizations to enhance the university's service mission. By fostering these connections, Ralph Alewine directly impacts the university's ability to apply academic knowledge to practical problems. The President collaborates with department heads to ensure that outreach efforts remain aligned with the university's broader educational goals. Through strategic management of these specialized divisions, the President strengthens the university's role as a vital resource for the community. This position remains essential for maintaining the university's commitment to public service, ensuring that the institution's research and academic programs continue to provide tangible benefits to the region and beyond.

    Steve Parrott - Chief Information Officer

    Steve Parrott, the Chief Information Officer at Mississippi State University, architects the digital infrastructure supporting modern academic research and student connectivity. Overseeing enterprise-wide technology systems, the Chief Information Officer ensures secure data management and robust network performance across the entire campus. This leadership role involves implementing advanced cybersecurity protocols to protect sensitive institutional information while fostering innovation in digital learning tools. By modernizing legacy systems, Steve Parrott directly impacts the university's capacity for high-performance computing and collaborative research. The Chief Information Officer collaborates with academic leadership to integrate technology into the classroom, enhancing the overall educational experience for students. Through strategic investment in scalable cloud solutions, the Chief Information Officer drives digital transformation, ensuring that the university remains at the forefront of technological advancement. This role remains essential for maintaining the seamless digital environment necessary for academic excellence and administrative efficiency in a competitive higher education landscape.
    Steve Parrott

    Thomas Broadus - Chief Marketing Officer

    Thomas Broadus, the Chief Marketing Officer at Mississippi State University, directs all brand strategy and institutional communications to elevate the university's national profile. Overseeing recruitment marketing and public relations, the Chief Marketing Officer ensures consistent messaging across all digital and traditional platforms. This leadership role involves crafting compelling narratives that highlight academic achievements and research breakthroughs to attract prospective students and faculty. By leveraging data-driven insights, Thomas Broadus directly impacts enrollment growth and donor engagement. The Chief Marketing Officer collaborates with university leadership to align promotional efforts with the institution's core mission of academic excellence. Through targeted campaigns, the Chief Marketing Officer expands the university's reach across regional and national markets, strengthening the overall brand reputation. This position remains critical for maintaining a competitive edge in the higher education sector, ensuring that the university's unique value proposition resonates effectively with diverse audiences and stakeholders.
    Thomas Broadus

    Nicolas Harris - Chief of Staff

    Nicolas Harris, the Chief of Staff at Mississippi State University, facilitates strategic alignment between executive leadership and departmental operations. Overseeing the execution of presidential initiatives, the Chief of Staff manages complex projects that require cross-functional coordination across the university. This leadership role involves advising on policy development and ensuring that institutional priorities receive the necessary resources for successful implementation. By streamlining communication channels, Nicolas Harris directly impacts the efficiency of the executive office and the broader administrative team. The Chief of Staff monitors progress on key performance indicators, providing critical updates to the leadership team to ensure agility in decision-making. Through careful management of high-level stakeholder relationships, the Chief of Staff maintains institutional focus on long-term goals. This role remains essential for navigating the intricate operational landscape of the university, ensuring that strategic objectives translate into tangible outcomes that support the institution's mission and academic growth.

    Timothy Griffin - Deputy Chief Information Officer & Director, Special Projects

    Timothy Griffin, the Deputy Chief Information Officer & Director, Special Projects at Mississippi State University, manages high-priority technology initiatives that extend beyond standard IT operations. Overseeing the implementation of specialized research software and campus-wide digital integration projects, the Deputy Chief Information Officer & Director, Special Projects ensures that unique academic requirements receive tailored technical support. This leadership role involves coordinating with faculty to deploy innovative tools that enhance research capabilities and classroom engagement. By focusing on bespoke technical solutions, Timothy Griffin directly impacts the university's ability to support niche academic programs and experimental learning environments. The Deputy Chief Information Officer & Director, Special Projects collaborates with the broader IT team to ensure that these special projects align with the university's overarching digital strategy. Through rigorous project management and technical oversight, the Deputy Chief Information Officer & Director, Special Projects drives the successful adoption of advanced technologies that distinguish the university's academic offerings.

    Sara Fuller - Deputy Director

    Sara Fuller, the Deputy Director at Mississippi State University, manages daily operational workflows across diverse academic departments. Overseeing administrative efficiency, the Deputy Director coordinates resource allocation to support faculty research initiatives and student success programs. This leadership role involves streamlining internal processes to ensure compliance with institutional standards while facilitating cross-departmental collaboration. By optimizing operational frameworks, Sara Fuller directly impacts the university's ability to deliver high-quality educational experiences. The Deputy Director maintains alignment with broader institutional goals, ensuring that administrative support remains robust and responsive to evolving academic needs. Through meticulous oversight of departmental budgets and personnel management, the Deputy Director secures the operational stability required for long-term growth. This position remains vital for maintaining the high standards of excellence expected within the university's expansive academic ecosystem, ultimately driving institutional progress through disciplined management and strategic resource deployment.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Mississippi State University Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Mississippi State University?
    Mississippi State University is led by Mitch Moser (Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Ad, Business Strategy), along with executives such as Roy Ruby (Interm President) and Lynn Burwell (National President).
    Who is part of Mississippi State University’s executive team?
    The executive team of Mississippi State University includes leaders such as Mitch Moser (Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Ad, Business Strategy), Roy Ruby (Interm President), Lynn Burwell (National President) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Mississippi State University have?
    Mississippi State University has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Mississippi State University’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Mississippi State University includes roles such as Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Ad, Business Strategy, Interm President, National President, MSU President, President.