By William H. Kelly III
(JACKSON, Miss.) — On Nov. 4, Jackson State University’s (JSU) College of Business (COB) and College of Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET) announced a partnership with S&P Global, centered on research, technology and career placement for JSU students.
“The partnership between S&P Global and Jackson State University is the model we seek in all our corporate relationships,” said Nicholas J. Hill, Ph.D., dean of the College of Business. “S&P Global values our talented students and understands that JSU has some of the best and brightest, capable of excelling in any environment. They also believe in supporting our university’s mission to prepare students for the dynamic global business world. It is truly mutually beneficial, and we are committed to building more relationships of this caliber and proud to have S&P Global as a key partner.”
Jackson State is one of four universities partnering with the S&P Global Culture & Engagement team to provide underclassmen studying business with enhanced enrichment opportunities aimed at developing essential skills and improving internship readiness.
To enhance research capabilities and efforts at the university, JSU received licenses to access S&P Global’s financial intelligence platform, Capital IQ Pro. The platform provides global, real-time data, research and analytics on companies, markets and economies. JSU students and faculty will now have advanced tools used by some of the top Wall Street firms and global institutions to drive financial insight and decision-making.
Additionally, through S&P Global’s Laptop Donation Program, JSU will receive nearly 500 laptops for students in the COB and CSET. The program repurposes old laptops in good condition, diverting them from e-waste and placing them into the hands of young scholars. Twenty JSU students serving as part of the inaugural class of the S&P Global Mentor Circle received the first delivery of repurposed laptops during the November visit.
“I’ve learned how to brand myself better, have a better elevator pitch and how to talk to professionals overall,” said Jayla Reeves, a computer engineering student and inaugural member of the S&P Global Mentor Circle. “It was really great receiving a computer. It was a blessing.”
The Mentor Circle is another groundbreaking partnership to empower sophomore students in the COB and CSET through mentorship, career readiness and real-world industry engagement. This initiative connects JSU’s emerging business and STEM student leaders with professionals from S&P Global, offering transformative experiences that bridge classroom learning with global career pathways.
As part of the partnership announcement, students in the JSU Mentor Circle participated in professional portraits provided by the Division of University Communications at JSU, a branding and elevator pitch workshop led by S&P Global representatives and a fireside chat featuring Guyna Johnson, Carter Smith and Ryan McDay.
Johnson serves as managing director at S&P Global and Smith is a credit ratings analyst at the company. Both are JSU alumni. McDay, S&P Global’s director of Culture & Engagement, moderated the chat.
The JSU alums shared insights about forging lasting corporate relationships, securing sponsorships and growing into the professionals students desire to be.
“Part of my responsibility is to be a sponsor and advocate for JSU and HBCUs. The reason why I can do that successfully and confidently is because of Carter and the example that he set, as well as other students from other schools that we work with,” said Johnson.
“You wear that JSU brand. When you get out there, you have to wear it well. You have to represent. You can’t be lazy. You have to do your homework, and if you do that, it’s part of my job to make sure you’re given the consideration and you all have people on the inside that can make it happen.”
According to Johnson, the company currently employs six Jackson State graduates in various roles.
“Make yourself invaluable and do something that you feel no one else can do as good as you,” said Smith, who joined S&P Global post-graduation in 2025. “You have to build your financial acumen. That’s something that I would say to students and peers. If you’re looking to get into this industry, do your homework.”
Media Contact: William H. Kelly III, william.h.kelly@jsums.edu