Effective Sept. 21, Chad Driskell, current Vice President for External Affairs, will assume administrative oversight for the USM Foundation and Alumni Affairs. Also a USM alumnus, Driskell currently oversees government relations, economic development, and veterans' student affairs operations. He began his career with the Mississippi Gaming Commission and then spent more than 10 years as senior vice president for the Mississippi Bankers Association before joining the University's professional staff in 2007. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science from USM and a master's degree in Public Policy and Administration from Mississippi State University.

Having spent 20 years building relationships across government, business, community groups, and institutions of higher education, Driskell has more than a decade of executive association management experience and a demonstrated fundraising record including involvement in each major building project at the University since 2007. Of particular note, he was instrumental in securing funds for the completion of the Trent Lott National Center for Excellence in Economic Development and Entrepreneurship. His wife, Katherine, is also a USM alumna and successful business owner. The couple has two sons: John, a high school sophomore, and Jackson, a USM freshman.