A student in Mississippi State University’s Department of Communication, Media and Theatre has earned national recognition in the prestigious Hearst Journalism Awards, often described as the “NCAA tournament of college journalism,” held this past fall.

Mississippi State forensic anthropologist Jesse R. Goliath is the 2026 recipient of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences Community Connections Mosaic Award, a national honor recognizing those who advance advocacy and positive change in the forensic sciences.

Paul Everett Kinsey never expected Mississippi State University to become the place that defined his life and career. Raised with the assumption that he would attend Ole Miss, Kinsey’s path changed after visiting the Starkville campus and spending time with students and faculty.