Mississippi State Associate Professor Dr. David Buys has been named Mississippi Diversity Educator of the Year by the State Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL).
The MSU professor was acknowledged during the IHL’s board of trustees’ annual diversity and inclusion awards ceremony held in honor of Black History Month.
Buys, a state health specialist, has fostered intellectual spaces that stimulate thought about inclusive excellence, diversity, and access. He is a recognized voice in academic spheres for exploring social causes of inequity in health and disease, particularly for people of color and aging adults.
“I grew up in a rural, primarily white community where I wasn’t exposed to much diversity of race or perspectives,” Buys said. “My education gave me the mind to know we need to strive for a more equitable society, and my faith gives me the heart to know better. You’ve got to have both to move the needle expeditiously. Mississippi State, being one of the most diverse colleges in the SEC and a land-grant university with a mission to serve, has given me a great opportunity to practice that.”
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, societal and environmental factors amplified the sense of loss, both physically and symbolically, experienced by many people. Buys utilized social media, including live discussions, to examine and share important data on racial and ethnic disparities in COVID-19 outcomes.
“Dr. Buys’ commitment to an inclusive environment has been demonstrated through numerous activities representing teaching, research, and service. In partnership with the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion, he led a series of educational and learning initiatives focused on work with underrepresented populations to advance equity,” MSU President Dr. Mark Keenum stated. “Through his continued engagement, he allowed diverse groups of students to feel empowered as leaders, while also elevating his colleagues’ understanding of the need for culturally responsive practices in leadership.”
Tupelo resident Shawn Brevard received the Karen Cummins Community Service Award during the IHL’s ceremony.
