[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 87 (Friday, May 19, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E683-E684]
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

                          Friday, May 19, 2017

  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

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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.

                          ____________________