USM’s Greer Earns Mississippi Humanities Council Award

Fri, 12/15/2023 - 11:23am | By: David Tisdale

A University of Southern Mississippi (USM) faculty member devoted to informing the broader community about the history and cultures of Native people is being honored for that work by the Mississippi Humanities Council (MHC). 

Dr. Tammy Greer, an associate professor in the School of Psychology, is the MHC’s recipient of its Humanities Educator Award to be presented during the MHC 2024 Public Humanities Awards ceremony March 22 at the Two Mississippi Museums in Jackson. Individuals and organizations who have made notable contributions to the state’s cultural life will be recognized at the event.

A member of the USM faculty since 1996, Dr. Greer is director of USM’s Center for American Indian Research and Studies. She participates in collaborative efforts producing and supporting educational programming and events that teach about the history and cultural heritage of native peoples. Some of those efforts, in addition to directing the center, include the annual Southern Miss Pow-Wow, maintaining the Medicine Wheel Garden on the Hattiesburg campus; serving as faculty advisor for the Golden Eagle Intertribal Society; and co-teaching a course through the School of Interdisciplinary Studies, AIS 301 - Contemporary Issues in Indian Country.

Dr. Greer also maintains strong connections with different Native peoples’ tribes in the region, affording her the opportunity to make important contributions to health disparities research on behalf of this underserved population through collaborative efforts with faculty colleagues in Mississippi INBRE through NIGMS and other federally funded community-based research with underserved groups.

“I’m very honored to receive this award, and even more so because of what it means to us as Southeastern Natives - it is evidence that we are seen,” said Dr. Greer, who is a member of the United Houma Nation. “I appreciate the Mississippi Humanities Council for seeing us, and hearing us, and listening to us as they fund us to do this important work of waking what, for so long, has been sleeping.

“Our cordage, plant pigment, shell carving and plant medicine knowledge is better off today than yesterday because of the Mississippi Humanities Council. I appreciate that, and I appreciate all of the folks, Natives and allies who help me with this work, because I certainly don't do it alone.” 

In the School of Psychology, Dr. Greer regularly teaches PSY 360: Introduction to Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences, and mentors graduate students in the Experimental Psychology Ph.D. emphasis area.

“We’re incredibly proud of Dr. Greer’s efforts to educate school children, our university community, and general public about the rich indigenous culture and traditions of our region,” said Dr. Sara Jordan, professor and director of the School of Psychology. “She has also worked to establish a welcoming and supportive community among our Native students while helping reduce barriers to their success in higher education. I'm thrilled to see her longstanding efforts recognized in this manner by the MHC.” 

Support Dr.%20Greer%E2%80%99s efforts to preserve and promote the history and culture of Mississippi’s and America’s indigenous peoples; visit the Center for American Indian Research and Studies.