After serving for a year as interim leader of Mississippi State University’s John C. Stennis Institute of Government and Community Development, P. Edward French is now the new executive director. Professor French also teaches in MSU’s political science and public administration department. In his research and teaching, he specializes in human resource management and the roles and responsibilities of elected officials and administrators. David R. Shaw, vice president of research and economic development, called French the perfect selection. “He has a unique combination of knowledge of government at all levels in Mississippi, a rapport with constituents in the state and the respect within and external to the university,” Shaw said.
French, who grew up on a cattle farm near Bristol, Virginia, holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Tennessee, a master’s in city management from East Tennessee State University and a master’s in higher education administration from The University of Virginia. Prior to his work in education, he served as a local government manager in his home state, supervised day-to-day operations and developed community budgets, among other duties.
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