Jackson State University News
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bernard
THEE Realist
Higher education officials consider top picks for JSU’s next president
Officials tasked with selecting and naming the next Jackson State University president plan to choose three top candidates next week, March 19-20, and invite them to the campus for a second round of interviews in mid-April.
On Thursday, members of the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning’s Board of Trustees, the Jackson State search advisory constituency and search firm consultants went into closed session to discuss semifinalists for first-round interviews. March 3 was the deadline to apply for the university’s top role.
Officials would not say how many applications they received for the role.
IHL assembled a search advisory group to assist with the president search to increase transparency, but members of that group said they cannot publicly discuss potential candidates because an IHL board policy prohibits it.
Patrease Edwards, president of the Jackson State University National Alumni Association and a member of the advisory group, said members signed a confidentiality agreement and cannot discuss details of the meeting. Gee Ogletree, president of the IHL board and member of the search committee, said he could not comment on the meeting.
bernard
THEE Realist
A ‘cloak of secrecy’: College board stays tight-lipped over JSU president search
Some Jackson State alumni say the IHL board hasn’t upheld its promise to remain transparent to stakeholders during the search for the university’s fourth leader in about six years.The last time the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning board searched for a president for Jackson State University, the process drew criticism for a lack of transparency.
IHL’s Board of Trustees discussed the matter in closed session, which meant the public could not observe or ask questions. They provided few details about the outcome of those closed-door meetings. Then in 2023, they conducted a national leadership search before selecting an internal hire, who had no experience running a university and they did not confirm whether he had applied for the job, to lead Jackson State.
Now, a year into the search for Jackson State’s next president, IHL will not answer Mississippi Today’s questions about the number of applications submitted for the role.
Officials have completed a first round of interviews. They are supposed to invite the final candidates for interviews and meetings with stakeholders next week, according to a draft timeline for the search. But IHL officials would not confirm whether that will happen.
The board has reneged on a promise of transparency and accountability, some alumni say.
“The IHL board seemed to revert to its old ways of doing things,” said Mark Dawson, chairman of Thee 1877 Project, a small group of alums not affiliated with the national association who have been advocating for a transparent national leadership search.
Sharolyn Love, a member of Thee 1877 Project, said she struggles between giving the IHL board grace and feeling cynical about the search process.
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bernard
THEE Realist
Jackson State to receive $31M in funding as part of House spending bill
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - More than $31 million in state funding is on its way to Jackson State University, including millions to help it create an alternative water source to fund critical campus needs.In April, Gov. Tate Reeves signed H.B. 1653 into law. The bill includes some $42 million for projects in the capital city, including funding for Jackson State.
The allocations were initially approved during the 2024 session. However, a measure correcting language in that bill was passed this year.
Lawmakers convened again on Wednesday to potentially override those vetoes.
As for the funding for Jackson State, $16 million was allocated for repairs and renovations to campus buildings, including McAllister-Whiteside Hall, and to develop an “alternative water resource and infrastructure for critical campus facilities.”
Another $7 million to was allocated to construct, repair, renovate and furnish new residence halls.
A separate Senate bill passed this year awarded Jackson State $10 million for campus improvements, including $4 million for constructing, furnishing, and equipping a new dining facility.
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bernard
THEE Realist
Board of Trustees Selects Dr. Denise Jones Gregory as President of Jackson State University
After an eight-month national search, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning has selected Dr. Denise Jones Gregory as the 14th president of Jackson State University (JSU). Gregory has served as interim president since May 2025. Prior to serving as interim president, she worked as provost and vice president of academic affairs at JSU.
“The Board of Trustees put a tremendous amount of time and energy into this search process, and we are confident in Dr. Gregory’s ability to help write the next chapter in Jackson State University’s long history,” said Dr. Steven Cunningham, vice president of the Board of Trustees and chair of the Board Search Committee. “I also want to recognize and thank the members of the Search Advisory Constituency, who spent hours reviewing applications and interviewing candidates. Their commitment to this process was critical and deeply appreciated.”
Patrease Edwards, a member of the Search Advisory Constituency and president of the JSU National Alumni Association, echoed Cunningham’s sentiment.
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Jacksonian
JSU On My Mind
Great! I hope she works out and she is able to stay awhile. A lot of good things are going on at Jackson State. 
bernard
THEE Realist
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bernard
THEE Realist
Flashback!
Enrollment has grown by 10.8 percent at Jackson State University over the past three years, the largest increase of any state-assisted college or university, according to figures released by the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL). With an enrollment of 9,802 students, JSU is now the fourth-largest HBCU in the country.
When Dr. Carolyn W. Meyers came to Jackson State University as president in 2010 the school was ranked eighth-largest among HBCUs nationally.
“Our enrollment growth is the result of hard work by our recruiters and admissions team and the efforts of faculty and staff, alumni and JSU supporters all across the country. President Meyers has set the bar high, and we push every day to tell the Jackson State story and sell the value of the JSU experience,” Evans said.
Dr. James C. Renick, provost and senior vice president for academic and student affairs, added, “This is our third year of solid enrollment growth at Jackson State University. We are delighted that increasing numbers of students recognize the benefits derived from a JSU education.”
hbculifestyle.com
Jackson State Becomes the 4th Largest HBCU by Enrollment
By HBCU Reports / September 28, 2015Enrollment has grown by 10.8 percent at Jackson State University over the past three years, the largest increase of any state-assisted college or university, according to figures released by the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL). With an enrollment of 9,802 students, JSU is now the fourth-largest HBCU in the country.
When Dr. Carolyn W. Meyers came to Jackson State University as president in 2010 the school was ranked eighth-largest among HBCUs nationally.
“Our enrollment growth is the result of hard work by our recruiters and admissions team and the efforts of faculty and staff, alumni and JSU supporters all across the country. President Meyers has set the bar high, and we push every day to tell the Jackson State story and sell the value of the JSU experience,” Evans said.
Dr. James C. Renick, provost and senior vice president for academic and student affairs, added, “This is our third year of solid enrollment growth at Jackson State University. We are delighted that increasing numbers of students recognize the benefits derived from a JSU education.”
Jackson State Becomes the 4th Largest HBCU by Enrollment
Enrollment has grown by 10.8 percent at Jackson State University over the past three years, the largest increase of any state-assisted college or university, according to figures released by the Mississippi Board of Trustees of
hbculifestyle.com