Faculty, research leaders and alumni at the listening sessions pushed the search committee to prioritize candidates with proven fundraising records and demonstrated ability to rebuild research capacity. Speakers said Jackson State once attracted substantial federal research awards and should aim to restore and expand externally funded research, while also diversifying revenue with industry partnerships and philanthropic activation.

"We need to find additional funding sources," said a research division representative who urged industry partnerships alongside federal grants. Faculty urged clearer support for sponsored research, a simplified institutional review board (IRB) process and academic program marketing that aligns with workforce needs, including data science and public health.

Alumni and long-time faculty linked fundraising and research capacity to institutional reputation and to the university's ability to retain and recruit faculty and students. Several speakers urged the profile to screen for candidates who have demonstrable experience raising private gifts, securing federal awards and activating alumni networks.

Speakers also emphasized that the next president must assemble a stable leadership team and reduce turnover in senior roles. Consultants said the profile will include questions that let candidates explain how they would restore research activity, pursue diversified funding and recruit or retain administrators essential to implementation.