Haney leads MS Online’s geosciences programs into the future

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Over her three-decade career at Mississippi State University, Dr. Christa Haney has helped MS Online set the standard for geosciences online learning by offering cutting-edge degree programs that connect graduates with job opportunities in a variety of in-demand professions.

From her perspective as a teacher, a leader and an MSU graduate, there’s never been a better time to explore geosciences careers with MS State Online.

“Natural resources aren’t just important for survival – they’re important for the economy, national security, technology, agriculture and virtually all aspects of society,” said Dr. Haney, director of Geosciences Online Learning Programs and associate teaching professor in the Department of Geosciences. “MS State Online has stayed ahead by continuously updating and expanding our degree programs to ensure our students get the best education possible to prepare them for the future.”

Originally from Ontario, Canada, Haney received a bachelor’s degree in geography from the University of Windsor. The curriculum included a course in weather and climate, which sparked her interest in meteorology and led her to Mississippi State.

When she arrived on campus in 1998, Haney discovered that Mississippi State was ahead of the game in offering high-quality, accredited online degree programs. In addition to earning her master’s and PhD degrees at MSU, she has been instrumental in working with geosciences faculty members to enhance and expand MS State Online offerings.

“Mississippi State has been doing distance learning probably longer than anybody else in the country,” she said. “We’re constantly reviewing our courses to ensure they match employment opportunities and changing workforce demands. Our priority is making sure our students have the knowledge and skill sets to be successful in whatever field they choose.”

A more recent trend involves job growth in private consulting firms that are hiring forensic experts with geoscience backgrounds. Recognizing an emerging need, Haney developed an online forensic geoscience course that teaches students how to investigate criminal offenses, reconstruct accidents. and present evidence in civil and criminal court cases.

“If there’s a bad wreck involving fog pollution, a consulting meteorologist can help investigators determine who may be responsible,” Haney explained. “Fog occurs naturally, but there may have been a local industry emitting too many particulates that condensed and made the fog worse. Geoscientists are being hired in a number of industries, including insurance, law, transportation, manufacturing and defense, among others.”

Haney also appreciates that MS State Online students are located all over the world, and their diverse perspectives help enrich discussions and enhance learning. And given that many MS State Online students are already in the workforce, they’re able to discuss connections between their professional experiences and geoscience coursework.

“A respiratory therapist in one of my classes gave her perspective on air pollution that helped students understand how it’s detrimental to human health,” Haney said. “My colleague’s natural hazards class included an insurance adjuster who talked about hazards and their human and economic impacts. We’re leveraging student geography and experience to improve education for all students.”

Meeting the needs of students also involves a strong advisory component that sets MS State Online apart from other online learning programs. Faculty members work one-on-one with students to identify their career goals and help them advance through their coursework. When students receive their MS State Online degree, they’re ready for the world.

“It’s about building relationships, not just through teaching but also personalized advising,” Haney said. “Our faculty is invested in student success, and our administration is very forward-thinking in terms of making sure everyone has the resources to be successful.

“There’s a misconception that you can’t have strong relationships with students, or between groups of students and peers, in online environments,” Haney said. “We’re proving at MS State Online that you absolutely can if you do it well – and we do it well.”