The University

  • Mission/Purpose
  • Core Values
  • History of the University
  • Accreditation/Memberships

Jackson State University, a coeducational institution, is supported by the State of Mississippi. It is controlled by the Board of Trustees of Institutions of Higher Learning, appointed by the governor. The University is supported by legislative appropriations supplemented by student fees and federal and private grants.

Jackson State University is located in Jackson, Mississippi, the capital and largest city of the state. Jackson State University has a distinguished history, rich in the tradition of educating young men and women for leadership, having undergone seven name changes as it grew and developed. Founded as Natchez Seminary in 1877 by the American Baptist Home Mission Society of New York, the school was established in Natchez, Mississippi “for the moral, religious and intellectual improvement of Christian leaders of the colored people of Mississippi and the neighboring states.” In November 1882, the school was moved to Jackson, MS; in March 1899, the curriculum was expanded and the name was changed to Jackson College.

The state assumed support of the college in 1940, assigning to it the mission of training teachers. Subsequently, between 1953 and 1956, the curriculum was expanded to include a graduate program and bachelor’s programs in the arts and sciences; the name was then changed to Jackson State College in 1956. Further expansion of the curriculum and a notable building program preceded the elevation of Jackson State College to university status on March 15, 1974. In 1979, Jackson State University, a public, coeducational institution, is supported by legislative appropriations supplemented by student fees and federal and private grants.

Jackson State University Presidents

1877-1894: Dr. Charles Ayer
1894-1911: Dr. Luther G. Barrett
1911-1927: Dr. Zachary T. Hubert
1927-1940: Dr. B. Baldwin Dansby
1940-1967: Dr. Jacob L. Reddix
1967-1984: Dr. John A. Peoples, Jr.
1984-1991: Dr. James A. Hefner
1991-1992: Dr. Herman B. Smith, Jr. (interim)
1992-1999: Dr. James E. Lyons, Sr.
1999-2000: Dr. Bettye Ward Fletcher (interim)
2000-2010: Ronald Mason, Jr., Esq.
2010: Dr. Leslie Burl McLemore (interim)
2011-2016: Dr. Carolyn W. Meyers
2017: Dr. Rod Paige (interim)
2017-2020: Dr. William B. Bynum, Jr.
2020-present: Thomas K. Hudson, Esq.

Vision Statement

Building on its historic mission of empowering diverse students to become leaders, Jackson State University will become recognized as a challenging, yet nurturing, state-of-the-art technologically-infused intellectual community. Students and faculty will engage in creative research, participate in interdisciplinary and multi-instructional/organizational collaborative learning teams and serve the global community.

Mission Statement

The mission of Jackson State University, an HBCU and comprehensive urban research university, is to provide quality teaching, research and service at the baccalaureate, masters, specialist, and doctoral levels to diverse populations of students and communities using various modalities to ensure that they are technologically-advanced, ethical, global leaders who think critically and can address societal problems and compete effectively.

Statement of Core Values

Tradition

The University believes that its role as a historically black university inspires and exemplifies positive societal change.

Accountability

The University believes in the principled exercise of leadership and the sanctity of the public trust.

Learning

The University believes in an experimentally enhanced learning environment where teaching, research, and service are integrated and mutually reinforcing.

Nurturing

The University is committed to creating a community, which affirms and welcomes persons from diverse backgrounds and experiences and supports the realization of their potential.

Service

The University responds to the needs of society to the best of its ability and expects its graduates to do likewise.

Responsibility

The University believes in and accepts its duty to enhance each generation’s capacity to improve the human condition.

Principles for Collegiate Code of Conduct

Jackson State University, adopted a Collegiate Code of Conduct, which is designed to enhance students’ success inside the classroom as well as in their campus life. It is intended also to assist with building characteristics which will serve as guideposts for lifelong success, understanding and appreciating differences among diverse groups of people, and ultimately leading to a more harmonious learning environment which fosters respect for others and one’s self.

The tenets for this covenant are as follows:

  1. Integrity–Respect and embrace the principles of academic honesty.
  2. Philosophy–Embrace an academic philosophy for positive progress toward competency in goals, critical and logical thinking, and a commitment to excellence.
  3. Class Attendance–Participate actively in classroom and other learning environments and commit to becoming a lifelong learner.
  4. Diversity–Celebrate the similarities and differences in our cultures, races, and ethnic origins.
  5. Communication–Encourage open communication and expression which is guided by respect for others.
  6. Behavior–Understand that sexual or social harassment will not be tolerated. Always dress for success.
  7. Profanity–Discourage the use of profanity and offensive actions out of respect for others.
  8. Accountability–Accept personal responsibility for one’s actions and life choices and realize that embracing negative elements of an unhealthy lifestyle will interfere with success.
  9. Service–Engage in civic opportunities to share knowledge and skills with local, national, and world communities.
  10. Respect–Embrace and respect tradition by participating in rituals and observances, especially those that contribute to the history and heritage of the University. Respect others by using cell phones and other electronic devices only in appropriate settings.
  11. Assessment–Conduct periodic assessments of academic, personal, and career progress. Stay focused on your purpose for being at the University.
  12. Safety–Be alert to threats to safety and security and inform appropriate authorities of such situations.
  13. Freedom–Respect the freedom of others to express themselves in matters relating to academic and philosophical opinions.

Expected Educational Results

The University seeks to ensure that it is responsive to the clientele it serves by producing graduates who are capable of performing responsibly, competently, and effectively in their chosen careers. Jackson State University expects its graduates to become active leaders and participants in the activities of the local community, their home community, and the world through actions such as volunteerism, consultancies, civic and political appointments, and elections. Through numerous degree programs ranging from the baccalaureate to the doctoral levels, students are nurtured in an environment that supports research, exploration, and discovery in the learning process. The students acquire a general education and are trained to become well-rounded professionals in a variety of disciplines through the University’s academic schools and colleges. Further, Jackson State University provides continuing educational opportunities, especially to non-traditional students. Training for all students is facilitated through research laboratories, traditional and innovative classroom instruction, distance learning instruction, technologically advanced libraries, and through internships and alliances with external agencies and organizations. Additionally, institutes, centers, and specialized educational and research services contribute to the experiential growth of students and faculty.

The knowledge, experiences, skills, and qualities acquired by
graduates of Jackson State University include the following:

  • The ability to communicate effectively through both oral and written expression;
  • The ability to demonstrate competence and creativity in a discipline for the purpose of obtaining and maintaining rewarding employment, and/or engaging in entrepreneurial activities;
  • The ability to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate ideas and data using logic and quantitative reasoning;
  • A familiarity with, and the ability to effectively use current and appropriate technology;
  • A social consciousness which will enable one to think critically and responsibly about moral, social, economic, health, cultural, technological, and political issues and to contribute to the improvement of society;
  • The achievement of a level of social maturity which will empower one to exercise good human relations skills, informed decision making, motivation, and persistence;
  • A knowledge and recognition of the value of one’s own ethnic and cultural heritage, and of the similarities and difference inherent in a multi-cultural society; and
  • A demonstration of leadership and professionalism through the pursuit of research and educational experiences required in one’s chose career.

Organization of Instructional Programs

The academic programs of the University are housed in five academic colleges:

  • College of Business,
  • College of Education and Human Development,
  • College of Liberal Arts,
  • College of Health Sciences, and
  • the College of Science, Engineering, and Technology.

Additional academic units include the Division of Graduate Studies, JSUOnline, and the DuBois-Harvey Honors College.

Accreditations

Jackson State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate, masters, specialists, and doctorate degrees. Contact the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Jackson State University.

Specific programs are accredited by the following agencies:

  • Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
  • American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
  • American Chemical Society (ACS)
  • American Psychological Association (APA)
  • Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE)
  • Computing Accreditation Commission
  • Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
  • Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology (CAA)
  • Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
  • Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
  • Counseling for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
  • National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
  • National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)
  • Network of International Business
  • Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA)
  • Planning Accreditation Board (PAB)

Memberships

  • American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education
  • American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers American Business Communication Association
  • American Council on Education
  • American Society for Engineering Education
  • American Association of Collegiate Schools of Business
  • American Schools of Construction
  • Association of American Colleges
  • Association of Departments of English
  • Association of Departments of Foreign Language
  • Association of State Colleges and Universities
  • Cooperative Education Association
  • Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences Institute of International Education
  • Council of Historically Black Graduate Schools
  • Council of Graduate Schools
  • Mississippi Association of Colleges
  • Mississippi Association of Colleges for Teacher Education
  • Mississippi Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers
  • Mississippi Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences
  • Mississippi Counseling Association
  • National Association of College Deans, Registrars and Admissions Officers
  • National Association of Veterans Programs Administrators
  • National Center for Public Service Internship Program
  • National Collegiate Honors Council
  • National Commission on Accrediting
  • National Council for Small Business Management Development
  • National Student Exchange
  • North American Association of Commencement Officers
  • Southern Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers
  • Southern Business Administration Association

Professional Licensure

Professional licensure/certification requirements vary from state to state, which may affect a student’s ability to apply for a professional license/certification upon completing the program. The U.S. Department of Education regulation, 34 CFR 668.43 (a) (5) (v), requires an institution to disclose whether the program will fulfill educational requirements for licensure or certification for each state. SARA approval does not extend to programs that lead to professional licensure.

  • Student’s Responsibility: Students who reside in a state other than Mississippi must review the professional licensure disclosures pertaining to the academic program and consult with the state professional licensing board. It is the applicant’s responsibility to contact the appropriate licensing board in their home state to confirm whether or not the Jackson State University degree program will meet the state’s licensure requirements.
  • Relocation: Students who consider relocating to another state, while enrolled in a course or program at Jackson State University, should consult with an academic advisor and the state professional licensing board to discuss licensure requirements. Transferring to a state that is not a member of NC-SARA may affect disbursements of federal financial aid. See NC-SARA portal page – https://www.nc- sara.org/state-portal-entity-contacts
  • International Students: Prospective students living and/or working outside of the United States should consult with the appropriate certifying agency to determine if successful completion of any degree program at JSU will meet credentialing requirements of the country in which they intend to seek employment, as to certain types of employment or for advanced/specialized educational programs.