FACTS AND FIGURES

Jackson State University is a four-year, state-supported, coed, liberal arts institution. It is the fourth largest state-supported institution in Mississippi. Jackson State also is the largest historically black college and university in the state. It is controlled by the Board of Trustees of Institutions of Higher Learning, appointed by the governor.

Jackson State was founded in 1877 by the American Baptist Home Mission Society. In 1979, Jackson State University was designated the Urban University of the State of Mississippi. It is accredited by the Commission of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) to award the bachelor’s master’s, education specialist, Doctor of Education and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. JSU now offers 43 bachelor 35 master, 3 specialist-in-education and 11 doctoral degrees.

Located in the state’s capital and largest city, Jackson State resides in the geographic, political, industrial and cultural center of the state. The metropolitan area consists of a growing population presently estimated at 425,000. The location of the University in the densely populated section of central Mississippi is such that nearly one-half of the students come from within a fifty-mile radius of the institution; however, the population includes students from every county in the state. A significant number of students also come from outside the state and from foreign countries.

School Motto: “Challenging Minds, Changing Lives”

Established: 1877

President: Dr. Carolyn W. Meyers

Faculty and Staff: 1,498

Total Enrollment: 8,600

Mascot: Bengal Tiger

Website: http://www.jsums.edu Other interesting facts:

  • No.1 in federally funded research among HBCUs ($68 million)

  • No. 2 school among all colleges and universities in educating African-American teachers. (Diverse Issues in Higher Education)

  • No. 4 among all schools in the nation in educating African-American students in biological and biomedical sciences (Diverse Issues in Higher Education)

  • No. 7 in all disciplines combined. (Diverse Issues in Higher Education)

  • Famous alumni include: Lem Barney, NFL Hall of Fame cornerback; “Oil Can” Boyd,  former Major League Baseball pitcher; Walter Payton, NFL Hall of Fame running back; Lindsey Hunter,  NBA Basketball Player, Dr. Roderick Paige, former Secretary of Education; U.S. Congressman Bennie G. Thompson; Vivian Brown, meteorologist for The Weather Channel, actress Tonea Stewart and jazz singer Cassandra Wilson.