U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Leader Jeffery Holland Joins Mississippi College Trustees

Jeffery Holland, director, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center in Vicksburg.

A prominent researcher and leader with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jeffery P. Holland will soon join the Mississippi College Board of Trustees.

Dr. Holland serves as director of the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center in Vicksburg. He manages one of the most diverse research organizations in the world, including seven laboratories in four states.

With more than 2,500 employees and $1.2 billion in facilities, the center near the Mississippi River supports the Department of Defense and other agencies in military and civilian projects. Holland also serves as director of research and development and chief scientist for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Mississippi College President Lee Royce and other school leaders are delighted to welcome Holland aboard. His position begins in April as a trustee at the 5,000-student Baptist-affiliated university in Clinton.

“I am very pleased to have the opportunity to serve on the Mississippi College Board of Trustees,” Holland said.

The Mississippian brings strong ties to America’s second oldest Baptist college. His daughter, Megan Holland, is a 2008 Mississippi College graduate.

“This Christian university is near and dear to my heart,” Jeffery Holland said. “My daughter received an excellent education at MC, and the friendships she made remain foundational for her. Being able to serve a quality institution like MC is a privilege.”

Holland received a bachelor’s in environmental engineering, with honors, from Western Kentucky University and a master’s in environmental and water resources from Vanderbilt University. He earned a doctorate in civil engineering from Colorado State University.

His service on the Board of Trustees comes as Mississippi College launches a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. MC professors are actively recruiting the first 15 students to enroll this fall.

Over his distinguished career, Holland has received numerous awards and honors. In 2014, he received the Distinguished Executive, Presidential Rank Award. “This award is an enormous blessing,” Holland said. “It represents much more than my efforts. It is a reflection of the wonderful work done by the whole organization I am privileged to lead.”

Prior to his current post that began in January 2010, Holland served for three years as deputy director of the Engineer Research and Development Center in Vicksburg. The registered professional engineer remains a member of the Mississippi Research Consortium Advisory Board.