The Faculty Laureates program empowers faculty from all disciplines who work on the Oxford campus of the University of Mississippi to develop new alliances, projects, and knowledge. The program delivers a mechanism and framework through which faculty engage Mississippi communities and undertake bold initiatives. Faculty Laureates projects illustrate the importance of higher education and the impact of faculty contributions.

Faculty Laureates serve as ambassadors and advocates for their fields, our university, and higher education.

Underwritten by the Dr. Daniel W. Jones Endowment for Faculty Support.

Now accepting applications for the 2026-28 Faculty Laureates. Deadline to apply is 5:00 pm on February 2, 2026. Email mslab[at]olemiss.edu to request the 1,000 word application.

Current Faculty Laureates
terms began August 15, 2024

  • Fafulas Communicating

    Stephen Fafulas, Ph.D.

    ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
    OF MODERN LANGUAGES

    Learn More
  • Winburn Faculty Laureate

    Amanda Winburn, Ph.D.

    DIRECTOR OF GRADUATE STUDIES
    AND PROFESSOR OF COUNSELOR EDUCATION

    Learn More

Faculty Laureate Program Guidelines

    • Introduce Mississippi to UM faculty

    • Showcase the impact of higher education in Mississippi

    • Retain and grow creative faculty

    • Encourage and enable creative work

    • Build new alliances, projects, and knowledge

  • Faculty with 5 years minimum experience at UM at time of application

    • ALL fields and disciplines are eligible

    • Lecturer, Instructional Associate Professor, Associate Professor, or higher with full-time/permanent status

  • Course Release 
    50 percent (two class releases per semester if the class load is 3-3) 

    Stipends (paid through regular payroll) 
    $7,500 per year, paid monthly beginning ~August of 2026 and ending June of 2028 

    Project Funds  
    Development, $5,000, available ~June 2026 

    By January 19, 2027, propose a project and apply for full project funds. (Inaugural Faculty Laureates received project budgets of $86,000 to $87,500.) 

    Travel Budget  
    $10,000 per year (with rollover possible)

  • 7 jurors make the selection

    • 3 meetings per year

    • Narrows field to finalists

    • Each finalist gets one interview with the jury

    2-3 Laureates selected after finalist interviews

    • Actual number based on strength of field

    • Faculty Laureates serve a 2-year term. Current term ends Summer 2026. ew term Faculty Laureate term begins August 15, 2026.

  • Thomas Andre, Exercise Science

    Barry Babin, Marketing

    Nancy Maria Balach, Institute for the Arts

    John T Edge, Mississippi Lab

    Vanessa Gregory, Journalism and New Media

    Cecille Labuda, Physics and Astronomy

    Cade Smith, Access and Community Engagement

*Logo by students in Tyler Barnes’s graphic design class at the University of Mississippi.

Faculty Laureate Photo Credits: Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services