Vision Podcast

In this episode. we are joined by Dr. Mary Dozier, assistant professor in the Department of Psychology, as well as Jarrod Williams, a PhD student on her research team. They work with people in the area, specializing in helping older adults who struggle with hoarding disorder. In honor of May being mental health awareness month, we have them on and talk about their work as well as just how best take care of ourselves and each other.Dr. Dozier is recruiting undergraduate participants for the early intervention for hoarding disorder project mentioned in this podcast. If you are interested in participating or would like to learn more, contact her at maryedozier@psychology.msstate.edu

In this episode we are joined by Dr. Ben Crider, an associate professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and the director of the Physics Summer Camp for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, as well as Kathryn McTaggart, the associate director of the camp and the Department's business manager. We have them on to highlight this awesome project during April, which is World Autism Acceptance Month, and also at the end, we talk about some of the new issues they are facing.   To donate to their foundation fund, click on the link below and search for "Physics Summer Camp for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder"https://dda.msstate.edu/give-now

In this episode we host Dr. Candace Lukasik, an assistant professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religion. In March 2025, she published her book titled “Martyrs and Migrants: Coptic Christians and the Persecution Politics of US Empire.” We discuss her book as well as her research as a whole.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Sol Pelaez, an associate professor here in the Department of Classical & Modern Languages and Literatures. Dr. Pelaez was recently named as the university's 2025 Mississippi Humanities Council Teacher of the Year, and she joins us to talk about the award and her research.  https://www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2025/02/celebrating-excellence-msus-sol-pelaez-earns-statewide-humanities

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Joseph Thompson, an assistant professor in the Department of History. His book titled “Cold War Country: How Nashville's Music Row and the Pentagon Created the Sound of American Patriotism” was recently featured in Rolling Stone's list of best music books of 2024. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-music-books-2024-1235200820/cold-war-country-joseph-m-thompson-1235200990/

In this episode, we host a long-time friend to the College of Arts & Sciences, Dr. Bill Hulett. He and his wife, Dr. Karen D. Hulett, have spent many years on the college's advisory board. Hear Dr. Hulett reflect on his time serving the college, his thoughts on higher education, and his own recent journey to earning a degree from Mississippi State, making him an official Bulldog. Bill's article from 2002: https://issuu.com/msstate/docs/alumnus-78-01/24

In this episode, we are joined by Ty Clardy, an undergraduate biological sciences student, to hear about his time at MSU, his experience with the College of Arts & Sciences Ambassadors program, and how the Dr. A. Randle And Marilyn W. White Health Professions Resource Center has prepared him for his career as a doctor. https://www.prehealth.msstate.edu/https://www.cas.msstate.edu/about/ambassadors

In this special Halloween episode, we are joined by Dr. Keith Moser, professor in the Department of Classical & Modern Languages and Literatures. Dr. Moser researches 20th and 21st century French and Francophone literature, social and ecological justice, globalization, ecocriticism, and environmental philosophy, among many other important topics. As part of his research, Dr. Moser has become an expert in monster studies, and has designed a new general education class for students who may be interested in learning more. The class is titled “The American Horror Show: Understanding American Culture through Monsters." This episode highlights the new class as well as the subject of monster studies.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Angela Benton, assistant teaching professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, Dr. James Hardin, head and professor in the Department of Anthropology and Middle Eastern Cultures, And Dr. Manuel Roderio, assistant professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religion. These faculty members have all designed new general education classes for their discipline. These classes are true general education classes that anyone can take to learn about the subject, and they each focus on specific topics and are designed to engage students in new and interesting ways. The College of Arts & Sciences has designed nearly a dozen new courses like this for students to take.

In this episode, we are joined by two MSU students, Josh Phillips, a senior political science major, and Alex Swan, a senior geosciences major, who tell us about their study abroad experiences.  MSSTATE Office of Study Abroad: https://www.international.msstate.edu/offices/study-abroadMSSTATE Office of Prestigious External Scholarships: https://www.honors.msstate.edu/prestigious-external-scholarships/

In this episode, we are joined by faculty members from the Department of Mathematics and Statistics including Robert Banik, Amber Robinson, Jacob Tschume and Kim Walters—all recipients of the Grisham Master Teacher Award, Mississippi State University's highest teaching honor—to discuss their insights, teaching philosophies and best practices.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Mary Celeste Reese, Director of the Dr. A. Randle and Marilyn W. White Health Professions Resource Center (HPRC), to discuss how the HPRC can provide guidance to undergraduates, graduate students, and MSU alumni who aspire to gain entry into a health professional school.

In this episode we are joined by Dr. Brian Shoup, professor and department head in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, to talk about the 2024 election season.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Johna Rudzin Schwing, an assistant professor in the Department of Geosciences with a joint appointment in the Northern Gulf Institute, to discuss her research and what to expect for the upcoming hurricane season.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Kelly Moser, associate professor in the Department of Classical & Modern Languages and Literatures and Assistant Dean Intern for Academic Affairs in the College of Arts & Sciences, to discuss what exactly is teaching effectiveness as well as Dr. Moser's plans to improve it at MSU through her collaborative project called TEAMS.

MLA report: https://www.maps.mla.org/content/download/191583/file/ADE-Ad-Hoc-Career-Report.pdfEnglish major alumni profiles: https://www.english.msstate.edu/msu-english-alumni-stories

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Amy Dapper, an assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, to talk about the Dapper Lab, the importance of studying evolutionary biology, and how students can get involved with research at Mississippi State University.

In this episode we are joined by Dr. Julia Osman and Dr. Morgan Robinson; Dr. Osman has served as director for MSU's Institute for the Humanities since 2017 and is now handing over the reins to Dr. Robinson. During our conversation we speak to the past, present, and future of the Institute for the Humanities.

In this episode, we host Dr. Lia Merivaki to discuss her project with the Democracy Renewal Project. Along the way we discuss the importance of trust in elections, the need for information to make knowledgeable decisions, and the need for democratic listening to get as many voters as possible involved in elections.

Theatre MSU will mark its 60th anniversary with the production of Pippin April 25-28 on the McComas Hall main stage. Jesse Wade, assistant clinical professor from the Department of Communication, joins us to discuss the significance of this musical and all the work that is being put in to make it one of Theatre MSU's biggest productions yet.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Christopher Snyder, a professor of history and the inaugural dean of Mississippi State's Shackouls Honors College, to discuss Dr. Snyder being named the Mississippi Humanities Council Teacher of the Year. Along the way we discuss his research and the importance of liberal arts education.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Angelle Tanner, associate professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, to discuss the upcoming solar eclipse and MSU's plans to commemorate the event.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Shane Miller, an associate professor in the Department of Anthropology and Middle Eastern Cultures, who is also serving in a new position as Assistant Dean Intern for Academic Affairs for the College of Arts & Sciences.

In this episode we are joined by Dr. Benjamin Tkach, an associate professor in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, to discuss the history and ongoing developments of the Israel-Hamas war.

In this episode, we are joined by Chris Ellzey, a counselor and member on the Department of Psychology's new project “Healthy Transitions Mississippi,” which seeks to encourage youths and young adults to reengage with school or the workforce.

In this episode, we are joined by a group of faculty members from the Department of Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures including Dr. Sol Palaez, Dr. Rosa Vozzo, as well as Pilar Martinez, and Julia Kraker. Together, they are working to bring Day of the Dead to campus, and in this episode they tell us about their project as well as the importance of this rich and diverse tradition celebrated throughout Latin America.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Courtney Thompson, associate professor in the Department of History and chair of the Medical Humanities Minor Committee, to discuss the College of Arts & Sciences new Medical Humanities Minor.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Mike Brown, professor of meteorology and climatology in the Department of Geosciences and the state of Mississippi climatologist, to talk about the drought happening in Mississippi and the role of the state Climatology Office.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Terry Likes, the Department Head of the Department of Communication, who recently released an audio documentary entitled, “Cowbell Culture: Small instrument—big impact…the cowbell as a fixture in American music, sports, and popular culture.”

In this episode, we are joined by A&S alum Joe Lee to discuss his career path after earning his degree in communication. Since then, he has become a successful author and has even started a local publishing house called Dogwood Press. He will be moderating a panel full of Dogwood Press authors this coming weekend at the Mississippi Book Festival.

In this episode, we are joined by Kasondra Harris, College of Arts & Sciences Director of Academic Relations (BSIS), to discuss the College of Arts & Sciences Idea Committee's new staff mentoring program, in which experienced staff members share their career knowledge and advice with new staff and those who desire growth in their profession.

In this episode, we host Dr. Melody Fisher from MSU's Department of Communication to discuss public relations, image repair, and her new book, The Untold Power: Underrepresented Groups in Public Relations.

In this episode, we host Dr. Dana Dillard from MSU's Department of Sociology to discuss her work with the burn community to create spaces for individuals to tell their stories, meet others, and heal, as well as how the new Mississippi Burn Center at UMMC can help in these endeavors.

In this episode, we host Josh Foreman from MSU's Department of Communication and his longtime friend and coauthor Ryan Starrett, to discuss their "Hidden Histories" book series and take a deep dive into one of the books in the series, titled Death Along the Natchez Trace

In this episode, we host Dr. Ty Stafford, assistant clinical professor in the Department of Psychology, to discuss his work with the LGBTQ community, including creating and sustaining safe zones.

In this episode, we host Dr. Christie Collins from the Department of English, who recently published her first full-length book of poetry titled “The Art of Coming Undone”. We discuss the creative writing process as well as reflect on National Poetry Month.

In this episode, we host Dr. Rebecca Robichaux-Davis from the Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education to discuss the Bulldog Experience, which is all about undergraduate students and experiential learning.

In this episode, we host Kyle McDill, PhD student in the Department of Geosciences and Project Manager at MSU's Research & Curriculum Unit. Through our conversation, we discuss Kyle's social media presence (thatbeardedhiker), his use of GIS to create virtual hikes and educational content, as well his love of the outdoors, his thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, and his experiences with the Department of Geosciences field courses.

In this episode, we host Deepali Dhruve, a Ph.D. candidate in MSU's Clinical Psychology program who is working with representatives from the Starkville Police Department and Theatre MSU through her dissertation project which focuses on de-escalation training using actor role-plays portrayed by MSU theatre students. Joining Deepali is her advisor Dr. Michael Nadorff, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology and Director of the Clinical Ph.D. Program, as well as Chief Mark Ballard from the Starkville Police Department and Professor Tonya Hays representing Theatre MSU.

https://www.storystate.msstate.edu/

https://www.honors.msstate.edu/

For more information about the My SSP App: https://www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2022/09/msu-students-have-new-mental-health-resource-my-ssp-app

For information about the IDEA Committee: https://www.psychology.msstate.edu/idea-committee/To contact Dr. Rader: nrader@soc.msstate.edu

In this episode, we welcomed back Dr. Lia Merivaki, Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, to discuss the upcoming 2022 Midterm Elections here in the United States. For more information about the College of Arts & Sciences, Mississippi State University's largest college, please visit cas.msstate.edu

In this episode, we host Dr. Stephen Brain, Associate Professor of History in MSU's Department of History and Co-Editor of Environmental History, the Journal of the American Society for Environmental History and the Forest History Society, to discuss recent activity and updates on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The time of this recording is September 20, 2022, and the situation continues to evolve. The College of Arts & Sciences is Mississippi State's largest and most diverse college. For more information, please visit our website: cas.msstate.edu

Links mentioned in the episode:  ed.govstudentaid.gov

Here are the links mentioned in the episode:  Images: https://www.nasa.gov/webbfirstimagesTwitter: https://twitter.com/ESA_WebbCelestial Events: https://www.timeanddate.comCollege of Arts & Sciences: https://www.cas.msstate.eduPhysics and Astronomy Homepage: https://www.physics.msstate.edu

In this episode, we interview A&S alumnus Pierson Crowder about how his bachelor's of arts in mathematics prepared him for his unexpected career as a risk analyst.

In this episode, we host Dr. Robert West, Professor in MSU's Department of English and Interim Department Chair of MSU's Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures Department, to discuss Phi Beta Kappa here at MSU. Dr. West is currently the president of the chapter.

In this episode, we host Hannah Bateman Coleman, Admissions Coordinator in the College of Arts & Sciences, to discuss the recruitment process and importance of student outreach here at MSU. For more information about the College of Arts & Sciences, please visit cas.msstate.edu.

In this episode, we host Amelia Byars, a Junior Communication Major specializing in Public Relations, on the importance of student internships and student success here at MSU. The College of Arts & Sciences is the largest college at Mississippi State University, Mississippi's leading research university. For more information, please visit cas.msstate.edu