Southern Miss School of Leadership

06/01/2026

🌟KUDOS SPOTLIGHT🌟

Congratulations to Dr. Casey Maugh Funderburk on receiving the designation of ACUE Distinguished Teaching Scholar!

This distinction recognizes faculty who have successfully completed five semesters in the ACUE Faculty Development Institute, an intensive professional development program focused on evidence-based teaching practices, course design, student engagement, and instructional excellence.

05/28/2026

🌟KUDOS SPOTLIGHT🌟

Congratulations to Dr. Zikai Zhou on being recognized at the USM Faculty and Staff Awards Ceremony as a 2025 Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Faculty Fellow.

The year-long fellowship brings together faculty from across disciplines to engage in scholarly research focused on teaching and learning, with an emphasis on enhancing student success, strengthening pedagogy, and fostering a culture of teaching excellence at Southern Miss.

Dr. Zhou’s cohort explored the topic “Thoughtful Incorporation/Prohibition of AI in the Curriculum,” examining how artificial intelligence can be intentionally and effectively addressed within higher education learning environments.

We are proud to celebrate Dr. Zhou’s commitment to innovative teaching, scholarly inquiry, and student learning.

05/26/2026

The School of Leadership recently hosted the Human Capital Development (HCD) Awards Ceremony and Networking Dinner, bringing together current HCD students, alumni, faculty, and supporters for an evening of celebration and connection.

The event took place during our three-day in-person Dissertation or Bust session, where students in the dissertation phase of the HCD doctoral program participated in workshops, discussions, and collaborative sessions designed to support their progress toward completion.

During the awards ceremony, we recognized several outstanding students:
• 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐰𝐬 and 𝐘𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐨𝐮, Outstanding Research Award
• 𝐁𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞 𝐀𝐝𝐞𝐛𝐚𝐲𝐨, Dr. Cyndi Gaudet Work Hard, Have Fun, Make A Difference Award
• 𝐁𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞 𝐀𝐝𝐞𝐛𝐚𝐲𝐨, Dr. Heather M. Annulis Dissertation of the Year Award
• 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐧 𝐃𝐨𝐛𝐬𝐨𝐧, Dr. David Powe Learning Leader Award

The evening also provided an opportunity for current students and alumni to network, share experiences, and strengthen connections within the HCD community.

Congratulations again to all of our award recipients!

05/22/2026

🌟KUDOS SPOTLIGHT🌟

Congratulations to our student award recipients who were recently recognized at The Golden Quills Ceremony, which honored remarkable individuals within Southern Miss Business programs. The following School of Leadership students were recognized:
- 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐃𝐮𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐞, Outstanding Student in Applied Technology
- 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐦 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧, Outstanding Student in Industrial Engineering Technology
- 𝐉𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐨, Outstanding Student in Organizational Leadership
- 𝐃𝐫. 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐬 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧, Outstanding Doctoral Student in Human Capital Development
- 𝐀𝐧𝐚 𝐑𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞́𝐬, Outstanding Doctoral Student in Human Capital Development (Instructional Technology and Design); Outstanding Academic Achievement Award – Graduate
- 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐞𝐝, Outstanding Master's Student in Logistics and Supply Chain Management

05/21/2026

🌟KUDOS SPOTLIGHT🌟

Congratulations to Dr. Vishal Arghode, Associate Professor of Human Capital Development, and Dr. Bradley Winton, Assistant Professor of Management in the School of Leadership, on their recent recognition at the College of Business and Economic Development's Golden Quills Ceremony. Drs. Arghode and Winton each received the Business Advisory Council Research Award, which honors faculty members for exceptional research contributions as selected by members of the Business Advisory Council. We are so proud of both of your research successes!

05/20/2026

We’re hiring! The School of Leadership is seeking a Graduate Programs Success Coordinator to join our team. This position plays a vital role in supporting our graduate students through advisement, communication, program coordination, and student success initiatives.

If you or someone you know would be a great fit, we encourage you to apply and share this opportunity with your network.

Apply here:

Special Instructions to ApplicantsApplicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without the need for visa ...

05/19/2026

As the Spring 2026 semester comes to a close, we want to extend a heartfelt congratulations to all of our graduates from the Southern Miss School of Leadership!

Your hard work, perseverance, and commitment to growth have led you to this incredible milestone, and we are proud to celebrate your accomplishments. A special recognition goes to our doctoral graduates, whose dedication to scholarship, research, and leadership represents the very best of our programs.

We are excited to see the impact each of you will make in your professions, organizations, and communities. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your journey.

Congratulations, Class of Spring 2026!

04/30/2026

🌟 KUDOS Spotlight 🌟

Congratulations to Dr. Abu Haddud on receiving the Butch Oustalet Distinguished Professorship Excellence in Research Award!

This prestigious honor recognizes a Gulf Coast faculty member who has demonstrated exceptional research performance. The award is presented annually at the USM Gulf Coast Awards Day.

We are proud to celebrate Dr. Haddud’s continued commitment to impactful research and scholarly excellence.

04/27/2026

🌟 KUDOS Spotlight 🌟

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Anesa Davis, Human Capital Development PhD alumna, on the publication of her book, Mind Your ‘Ships, a career development resource focused on how relationships and visibility drive career growth.

Her work bridges research and practice, offering practical guidance to help individuals navigate and accelerate their careers with intention and impact. Congratulations, Dr. Davis, on this meaningful contribution and continued success!

04/21/2026

🌟 KUDOS Spotlight 🌟

Help us celebrate Antara Mahbub, a current Human Capital Development doctoral student, as one of the Spring 2026 Proposal Project winners through the USM Graduate School!

Antara’s selection highlights her commitment to developing strong grant-writing skills and advancing her research through competitive funding opportunities. The Proposal Project is designed to support graduate students in identifying funding sources, crafting compelling proposals, and successfully navigating the submission process.

Congratulations, Antara, on this outstanding achievement!