Keynote speakers include Emmy Award-winning actor Tramell Tillman, who will star in Marvel’s Spider-Man: Brand New Day this summer.
By Kelli Sharpe
(JACKSON, Miss.) — Jackson State University (JSU) will celebrate the Class of 2026 with three spring commencement ceremonies taking place at JSU’s Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center (AAC). Nearly 900 graduates are expected to walk the stage to receive their degrees, including over 600 undergraduate students and approximately 226 graduate students.
“Jackson State University is proud to celebrate the Class of 2026 and all they have accomplished to reach this moment,” said Interim JSU President Denise Jones Gregory, Ph.D.
“Commencement is a special time on our campus. It marks the work our students have put in and the people who supported them along the way. We are grateful to everyone who helped make this moment possible and look forward to recognizing our graduates as they step into this next chapter.”
JSU alumni will serve as commencement speakers for all three ceremonies. They are noted researcher Jelani C. Zarif, Ph.D., Emmy Award-winning actor Tramell Tillman and licensed clinical psychologist and educator Jasmin Searcy-Pate, Ph.D. Their work spans cancer research, entertainment and psychology.
“Bringing back three of our own alumni as keynote speakers highlights the power of a JSU education,” said Commencement Planning Committee Chair Brandi Newkirk-Turner, Ph.D.
“Whether it is in the lab, the clinic, or on the global stage, these speakers prove that Jackson State excellence knows no bounds and that JSU is THEE standard. We are ready to welcome the Tiger family to our campus for this historic weekend.”
Dr. Jelani C. Zarif to Address Graduate School at 9 a.m. May 1
The graduate school ceremony will feature Award-winning researcher Dr. Jelani C. Zarif as the speaker on Friday, May 1 at 9 a.m. Dr. Zarif is an associate professor of oncology and holds the Robert E. Meyerhoff endowed professorship at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center. Zarif is also a faculty member in the Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy. He will address graduate candidates as the university celebrates their academic achievement and next steps in research, leadership and service.
Emmy Award Winner Tramell Tillman to Address Undergraduates at 9 a.m. May 2
Emmy Award-winning actor Tramell Tillman will deliver the commencement address for the 9 a.m. undergraduate ceremony for students from the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Education and Human Development . Tillman is widely known for his role as Seth Milchick in the Apple TV+ series Severance. The role earned him an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, making history as the first African American actor to win in the category. The JSU alumnus will star in the upcoming Marvel film Spider-Man: Brand New Day, alongside Tom Holland and Zendaya.
Jasmin Searcy-Pate, Ph.D., to Address Undergraduates at 2 p.m. May 2
Jasmin Searcy-Pate, Ph.D., will serve as the guest speaker for the 2 p.m. undergraduate ceremony for students from the College of Science, Engineering, and Technology , College of Health Sciences, and College of Business . Searcy-Pate is a licensed clinical psychologist, associate director of the Office of Applied Psychological Services, and assistant director of Clinical Training at the University of Illinois Chicago. She also serves as clinical associate professor of psychology. Her work centers on clinical practice, applied psychological services and training the next generation of professionals.
The JSU Golden Class of 1976
In addition to the undergraduate and graduate ceremonies, the university will celebrate the Golden Anniversary for the Class of 1976. Class members will receive special recognition during the May 1 commencement activities, at 9 a.m. That class includes Pro Football Hall of Famer Jackie Slater and Dowell Taylor, Ph.D., who served as director of the Sonic Boom of the South. Members will establish the Class of 1976 Endowed Scholarship Fund in honor of their anniversary.
Three Ceremonies, Two Days—May 1-2 at JSU
Friday, May 1, 2026
- 9 a.m. Graduate School Commencement and Golden Anniversary Celebration
Saturday, May 2, 2026
- 9 a.m. Undergraduate Commencement: Colleges of Liberal Arts and Education & Human Development
- 2 p.m. Undergraduate Commencement: Colleges of Science, Engineering, and Technology, College of Health Sciences and College of Business
All ceremonies will be held at the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center.
For interview requests, credentialing information, or additional details about the ceremony schedule, please contact Anthony Howard at 601.979.2274 or anthony.j.howard@jsums.edu.