[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 175 (Tuesday, December 6, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1607]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING CONSTANCE BLAND

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 6, 2016

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Constance Bland, who is an Educator, a Leader and Public Servant.
  Constance G. Bland, Ph.D. was appointed Vice President of Academic 
Affairs (VPAA) at Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) in the 
spring of 2014. As VPAA, she is responsible for leadership, educational 
policy, academic programs, budgeting and resource allocation; 
supervision of staff development programs, federal grant program 
administration; monitoring of personnel actions and transactions, and 
participation in academic personnel policy development and negotiation. 
She is also responsible for relationships with the wider educational 
and occupational community, particularly the public schools, as well as 
additional responsibilities as assigned by the President.
  Before becoming VPAA, Dr. Bland was Professor and Chair of the 
Department of Mathematics, Computer and Information Sciences. She 
developed computer science educational curriculum related to database 
management systems, software engineering and introduction to computer 
science. In an effort to impact retention of computer science majors, 
she was involved in a project to determine the impact of introducing 
the concepts of object oriented programming for first year computer 
science students using a visual animation tool known as Alice.
  Dr. Bland also acquired significant external funding for the 
department from sources including the National Science Foundation 
(NSF), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), 
Eisenhower (state of Mississippi), SUN Microsystems and mini-grants 
from Jackson State University. Her last external funds secured for the 
department included an S-STEM scholarship grant and an HBCU-UP 
implementation grant. A major focus of the scholarship grants secured 
by Dr. Bland involved initiatives to increase the number of computer 
science and mathematics majors at MVSU. Funds secured were used to 
institute tutorial services, provide student development activities and 
support debt reduction though scholarships to decease external 
employment of students seeking degrees. The goal of the latest HBCU-UP 
grant is to encourage STEM graduates to pursue graduate education.
  Dr. Bland has devoted 23 years of service to MVSU, and has 
demonstrated her passion and commitment to the University, faculty, 
staff and students. Her involvement has been extensive, yet she finds 
time and energy to serve, work and lead, shouldering countless burdens 
with good humor and grace. She is a tower of strength and a strong 
force for progressive efficient public service. She always shows 
patience and tolerance, qualities of an experienced and committed 
leader. Dr. Bland is a visionary leader who inspires staff, students 
and the community. She is responsible for developing MVSU's first Women 
in Science and Technology Conference (WIST) designed to encourage young 
girls in grades 7th through 12th to consider majoring in STEM 
disciplines. The conference will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 
Spring 2016 and can boast of numerous female students who have gone on 
to become practicing women in science and technology.
  Dr. Bland holds an Associate's degree in Mathematics from Coahoma 
Junior College, a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics, Bachelor of Science 
in computer science, Master of Science degree in computer science and a 
Doctoral degree in computer engineering from the University of 
Mississippi.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Constance 
Bland, an Educator, a leader and Public Servant for her dedication to 
serving others and giving back to the African American community.

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