08/12/2026
Today, CAAS got a WORD! And we may have needed it more than we realized.
During our 2026 Fall CAAS-Wide Meeting, Ms. Amanda O’Quinn challenged us to show up motivated, give our best, speak positivity, help one another, and remember that each of us has a role in moving the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences forward. It was a message that set the tone for the entire meeting and the year ahead.
We also celebrated some of our own! Congratulations to Dr. Frank Mrema on his promotion to Associate Professor and Dr. Tahir Rashid on his promotion to Professor. We are proud to recognize their accomplishments and continued contributions to CAAS and Alcorn State University.
And what is a CAAS gathering without a little fun? We gave away a few door prizes, welcomed some new faces who represent the future of our college and celebrated the familiar faces, our “vets,” who continue to pour their knowledge and experience into our students, programs and communities year after year.
One of those familiar faces deserves a special shoutout. Ms. Manola Erby has dedicated 45 years of service to Extension, helping advance Alcorn State University’s land-grant mission and serving generations of Mississippians. Forty-five years of service is something worth celebrating!
From Extension to the Department of Agriculture, Department of Human Sciences, and Department of Advanced Technologies, CAAS was in the building today.
We left fired up, motivated, reinvigorated, and ready for what’s ahead.
New faces. Familiar faces. One college. One mission.
The 2026-2027 year is here, and CAAS is ready to Grow Beyond Boundaries as we Inspire. Innovate. Impact.
Here’s to a productive year!
