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University Outreach

Mississippi State University is a land-grant institution committed to outreach and extension. Outreach offices at the university assist with technology transfer, educational programs, workforce training, and industry-specific research.  View a full list of the outreach and public service centers and offices.

Industrial Assessment Center

Contact Information: www.me.msstate.edu/IAC/iac.html, 662-325-7315

The center provides assessments for qualified small- and medium-sized manufacturing businesses within a 150-mile radius of the university. Assessments are prepared by students under the direct supervision of MSU faculty. Assessors will visit the facility to gather information about existing processes, practices, and production methods. The assessment includes costs and payback periods.

Assessments will recommend methods to

  • Improve energy efficiency
  • Improve waste management
  • Enhance production

Manufacturers that qualify have

  • SIC code of 20-29
  • Energy costs between $100,00 to $2 million/year
  • Maximum gross sales of $100 million/year
  • No more than 500 plant employees
  • No in-house expertise in energy use and conservation

Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems (CAVS) – Mississippi State University

The Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems (CAVS) at Mississippi State University is an interdisciplinary center comprised of research, engineering design & development, and technology transfer teams for industry and government partners.

Their overall effort is focused on developing superior computational, engineering, manufacturing, design, and information technologies relevant to Mississippi and regional industries. This is accomplished by bringing to bear world-class technologist and technologies to solve complex problems.

The research output provides sustainable regional competitive advantages. To be successful, CAVS maintains a portfolio of short-term and long-term projects to create a succession of increasingly more vital outputs, ranging from students with enhanced project management skills to commercialization of the intellectual products.

 Research Programs

Research at Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems in Starkville focuses on the engineering challenges facing the automotive industry through the development of new solutions in materials, propulsion, and design.  Working directly with government agencies and the automotive industry, CAVS produces information and solutions that advance technology.

CAVS utilizes high performance computational resources and state-of-the art analytical tools. Their facilities include and have the capabilities for

  • X-ray tomography for 3D bulk analyses
  • 8 camera video recording system
  • Aerosizer
  • Arburg 170U Injection Molding Machine
  • Axiovert microscope
  • Carbolite tube furnace
  • CATIA V5
  • CNC lathe and milling
  • View a full listing of capabilities

Research is performed in the fields of Power and Energy, Modeling and Simulation, Materials and Mechanics, and Humans and Interfaces.

Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems Extension

The CAVS Extension Center located in Canton near the Nissan plant, just 104 miles from Starkville on Highway 25, facilitates technology transfer, provides access to advanced engineering tools and concepts, and provides professional development workshops. CAVS Extension has participated in 36 projects statewide ranging from facility planning and manufacturing processes to improving workflow and productivity for companies including

  • International Truck and Engine Corporation
  • Flexible Flyer
  • Nissan
  • Atlas Manufacturing
  • Delphi
  • Mueller
  • Georgia Pacific
  • Eaton
  • Taylor Machine
  • Northrop Grumman
  • And many more

CAVS Extension won the 2010 Award of Excellence in Business Assistance and Entrepreneurship for its work with the Navistar plant in West Point.  The award was presented by the national University Economic Development Association.

Institute for Clean Energy Technology

With a staff of over 50 professional and support personnel, the ICET has worked on multiple projects in the state of Mississippi and in the states of Montana and South Carolina, and Washington, DC.

Facilities at the Institute for Clean Energy Technology include a 55,000-square foot building, a plasma torch facility, and a combustion test facility.

Services

  • Continuous emission monitors (CEMs)
  • Process monitors (PMs)
  • Air pollution control systems (APCS)
  • Partitioning studies

Current Research

  • Biofuel research
  • Shale oil extraction
  • Green energy sources
  • Wind power
  • Power grid reliability
  • Switch blade grass as an energy source
  • Biofuel catalyst research
  • Solar and nuclear energy

Office of Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer

This office supports the identification, development, and protection of intellectual properties at the university that can be marketed and licensed to businesses and entrepreneurs.

MSU Entrepreneurship Center (MSU E-Center)

Part of the Bagley College of Engineering and College of Business, this online resource center provides information, guidance, and resources for entrepreneurs, small businesses, and start-up companies through videos and other online materials. The E-Center also puts entrepreneurs in contact with other programs under its purvue.

Office of Business Outreach

With four offices, the Office of Business Outreach provides programs and assistance to existing and new businesses. Through conferences, workshops, and seminar as well as customized in-house training, this office promotes economic development in Mississippi.

Division of Business Research

Funded research at the College of Business is managed through the Division of Business Research which helps faculty members with their research projects.

Division of Business Services

Through this division, faculty in the College of Business provide training and seminars for business leaders. Two of the courses offered are The International Business Strategy Program and the Annual Income Tax Course.

Small Business Development Center

As part of the College of Business, the Small Business Development Center is located on MSU’s campus.  The Center assists entrepreneurs with business plans, strategies, and provides resources and information. The center also provides training and resources for existing businesses.

Technology Resource Institute (TRI)

Services are provided to businesses and communities to promote public/private partnerships with the university. Businesses, communities, or agencies seeking research assistance, training, consulting, expertise, or information can contact the Institute for assistance. The TRI offers FastTrac training programs and family business seminars.

Research and Curriculum Unit for Workforce Development

Workforce development and training is provided by the Research and Curriculum Unit at Mississippi State University. The programs in this unit develop curricula, research ways to improve training, provide workforce assessments, provide online training, offer seminars and workshops, and provide industry-specific workforce development publications. Learn more about workforce development in Oktibbeha County.