Jussaume New Sociology Chair

August 1, 2011

Raymond A. Jussaume, Jr. of Washington State University will become chairperson of our department effective August 16, 2011. Dr. Jussaume has served as chair of Community and Rural Sociology at WSU as well as International Program Coordinator of the College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Resource Sciences and University Ombudsman. He earned his PhD from Cornell University in Development Sociology. He was a Peace Corps volunteer in Niger and has conducted field research in China, Japan, and France. He is particularly interested in learning how people and their communities can engage in development strategies that serve their own, self-defined ends. His publications can be found in such journals as Public Opinion Quarterly, Rural Sociology, and the Journal of International Consumer Marketing.

I am truly excited to be coming to MSU to take on this wonderful new challenge. During our most recent trip to East Lansing, my wife Atsuko and I were both so very pleased at the friendly welcomes we received from everyone we met. I am also so happy to be joining a vigorous department that has a longstanding and well deserved reputation for academic excellence and, thanks in part to the faculty additions over the past several years, has exceedingly bright prospects for the future.

One of the driving principles behind my leadership philosophy as chair will be that everyone in the department (students, faculty & staff) has an opportunity to explore their work passions. I place a very high value on maintaining a climate of openness and respect for others both within
the Department and between the Department and those who have an interest in its work. I want to state openly that my door will always be open to any student, staff member, faculty member, alumnus, and stakeholder who has an interest in the department and its work.