By William H. Kelly III
(JACKSON, Miss.) – Jessica Murphy, Ph.D., a professor of technology in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering and Industrial Systems & Technology at Jackson State University, has been awarded the “Emerging Leader Award” by the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA).
Murphy was recognized during the ITEEA Closing Awards Ceremony in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in April, making this the second “Emerging Leaders” award she has received.
The ITEEA is a professional organization for technology, innovation, design, and engineering educators. The ITEEA’s mission is to promote technological and engineering literacy for all by supporting the teaching of technology and engineering and promoting the professionalism of those engaged in these pursuits.
“I am so thankful to receive such a distinguished honor from this prestigious organization. This recognition encourages me to work more diligently in making meaningful contributions to the technology discipline, my profession, and the research mission of Jackson State University. I graciously thank the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association for bestowing me this honor,” Murphy said.
Murphy has been a member of ITEEA since 2006 and a board member of the Epsilon Pi Tau International Technology Honor Society. In 2020, Murphy and an interdisciplinary research team established the Community Resilience Project. The mission of the resilience project is to provide contemporary emergency/disaster management and preparedness education and training related to natural disasters, such as weather and atmospheric events, for Mississippi’s underserved communities.
The project also strives to mitigate loss through effective preparedness and response planning and to build a pipeline from middle school to higher education that develops future emergency/disaster management professionals and atmospheric scientists.
“Being a representative from JSU, ITEEA membership provides the opportunity for support in advancing technology and engineering education,” Murphy explained. “Further promoting technology literate, encouraging industry and corporate research, and expanding awareness regarding the nature of technology and engineering education are continuous goals in the College of Science, Engineering, and Technology and my academic department. I am proud to assist my units in maintaining these goals.”
Murphy extended appreciation to the U. S. Department of Homeland Security, the National Science Foundation, and the Community Resilience Project at Jackson State Research Team and its partners for their support.
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Media Contact: William H. Kelly III, William.h.kelly@jsums.edu