Interim President Denise Gregory told the Board of Trustees of the Institutions of Higher Learning that Jackson State University enrolls more than 6,000 students and is deepening research and community partnerships while advancing campus improvement projects.

"Our mission is to provide quality teaching, research, and service to students and communities to ensure that they are global leaders who think critically and can address societal problems and compete effectively," Gregory said during a presentation to the board.

The university, Mississippi’s only urban research institution and classified as an R2, noted recent recognitions and activity that the administration said are expanding JSU’s national visibility and economic footprint. Gregory described student accomplishments and campus events, including a homecoming she said draws more than 50,000 fans to Veterans Memorial Stadium and produces an estimated $6 million to $7 million in local economic impact during the week-long celebration.

Gregory reviewed recent sponsored awards and philanthropic support: a nearly $10 million subcontract with NASA partners to lead STEM education initiatives; a $1.3 million state grant for AI education, workforce development and entrepreneurship; and a $2 million gift from the Intergies Charitable Foundation to establish a power grid network security lab, which Gregory said will support workforce development in cybersecurity. She told the board the NASA-related subcontract, the state grant and the foundation gift are intended to expand research and workforce training aligned with state economic goals.

Gregory also summarized campus improvements under way or planned: replacement of the Charles F. Moore Building with a new plaza, HVAC and mechanical repairs to residence halls, and a planned new dining hall. She said more than 800 students graduated at spring commencement and that JSU awarded more than 700 scholarships totaling over $1 million plus $212,000 in gap-fund support in fiscal year 2025. She highlighted student and faculty research projects, music and arts performances (including appearances at Coachella and the Rose Parade), and athletics successes.

After the presentation, the board took formal action to begin a search for a new president at Jackson State University. The board voted to form a search committee composed of all trustees that will meet as a committee of the whole and be chaired by Trustee Stephen Cunningham. The motion passed after a second; the meeting record shows the vote as "all in favor" with no opposing votes recorded.

Why it matters: Jackson State is a major public institution in Mississippi by enrollment and by community and economic footprint in West Jackson; decisions about leadership and investment affect students, employees, local businesses and statewide workforce initiatives.

Additional details: Gregory credited partnerships with groups such as the Opera South Company and the HBCU Opera Collective for cultural programming, and noted athletic and alumni achievements that the university said support fundraising and visibility. The board posted a presidential-search webpage and opened a public comment form so students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters can provide input on qualities they seek in the next president.

Meeting context: the presentation and subsequent search action were part of the regular board meeting agenda; the JSU presentation occupied an extended portion of the meeting and was followed by the formal vote establishing the search committee.