Southern Miss Heath Earns Recognition from Mississippi Business Journal

André Heath, Assistant to the Dean for Strategic Initiatives in the College of Science and Technology at The University of Southern Mississippi, joins an elite group with his selection to the Mississippi Business Journal's annual Top 40 Under 40 list.

In his current role with the university, Heath, 38, is responsible for the coordination of activities, events and programs that encourage the recruitment and retention of underrepresented minorities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. These duties also include advising, mentoring and training a diverse population of students within the College of Science and Technology.

“When I first learned that I was selected as one of MBJ's Top 40 Under 40, I felt honored,” said Heath, a Crystal Springs, Miss., native. “Being recognized will afford me an opportunity to join with other young professionals from around our state in an effort to improve the quality of our communities through civic engagement and economic development.”

The Top 40 Under 40 program seeks to identify and recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to Mississippi's overall economic progress, often working at their own local levels. Candidates are nominated by their peers and must be under the age of 40 at the time of their nomination.

Heath, who has worked at Southern Miss for the past 13 years, received a bachelor's degree in Psychology and master's degree in College Counseling and Student Personnel from Southern Miss. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in Human Capital Development at Southern Miss.

Since its inception in 1993, the Top 40 Under 40 program has honored hundreds of Mississippi business leaders who are playing active day-to-day roles in moving the state's economy well into the 21st Century.

Individuals selected as recipients of the Top 40 Under 40 award will be profiled in a special publication in May, while a luncheon to recognize the group will be held in April.