Mississippi State University’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) supports students through each step of their journey. A prime example is the department’s ECE Student Success Center renovation project—a transformative initiative to renovate a student-centered space to better serve the evolving needs of ECE students. Led by initial gifts from the department’s advisory board members, this project demonstrates MSU’s dedication to meeting students where they are and equipping them for where they want to go.

Charlie Hudnall, a 1986 computer engineering graduate of MSU and retired vice president and chief technologist of microelectronics at Mercury Systems, and his wife, a 1988 MSU College of Veterinary Medicine alumna, provided the lead gift to establish the ECE Advisory Board Student Success Center Renovation Fund and the ECE Advisory Board Student Success Endowment. Their gift marks the start of an important project and is a gesture of gratitude for all MSU has given them.

“The education and experience we received at MSU were pivotal in our career success. When we reflect on that, it feels natural to support an institution that provided us with so much,” Hudnall said.

Hudnall joined the ECE Advisory Board in 2021, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. With his then travel-heavy schedule paused, Hudnall reflected on MSU’s impact on his life and how he could contribute to its future.

“From the beginning of my involvement with the board, I wanted to make a more direct and meaningful impact. Dr. Samee Khan, the head of the ECE department at that time, emphasized the importance of student enrichment, which shifted my focus toward enhancing student success initiatives,” he said.

The ECE Student Success Center originated from engaging with students, recognizing their challenges and supporting their overall success. Located in Simrall Hall, the original center offered a welcoming space for students to inquire about classes, schedules, transfer credits, lab access and other issues. It also organized events such as resume workshops, tutoring sessions and student club gatherings. With scholarship plaques and wall displays honoring student accomplishments since 1998, the center also served as motivation and was always staffed by someone ready to help.

With the renovation fund, Hudnall and the advisory board aim to expand these offerings to better meet the diverse needs of modern students. He emphasized why enhancing the center’s services and space is essential.

“Many students come to MSU without familial support and need more than just academic instruction. The ECE Student Success Center is a crucial resource that provides some of that support,” he explained.

From his time at MSU, Hudnall has seen firsthand how a welcoming environment can impact student success.

“Forty years ago, the spaces we used at MSU were configured to support our education and growth. With this renovation, we hope to create a communal space where more of our students can thrive,” he said.

The advisory board envisions the renovated center as a home away from home—a place where students can find practical resources and a sense of belonging. Expanded spaces will allow more students to connect with the department’s resources and legacy so no one feels alone or left behind.

“It’s hard to imagine any student navigating the rigor of an engineering education without a support system. This center bridges that gap, offering students a space for collaboration, nurturing and belonging,” Hudnall said.