LeMia Jenkins joins Jackson State University as its first director of Federal Relations. Previously, she was former press secretary/legislative assistant for Congressman Bennie Thompson in the Second Congressional District.
Jenkins has valuable experience with congressional delegates and federal agencies. Also, she has worked with congressional leaders such as Congresswomen Sheila Jackson Lee and Marcia L. Fudge.
“I look forward to championing the efforts of a world-renowned research institution that has been a trailblazer for the state of Mississippi and institutions of higher learning around the world,” said Jenkins. “Under (JSU President) Carolyn W. Meyers’ leadership, Jackson State has truly grown and developed. I look forward to working with Dr. Meyers and (Vice President of Research and Federal Relations) Dr. Loretta Moore to advocate for the university in Washington and continuing to promote their innovative, robust and transformative legislative agenda.”
As director of Federal Relations, Jenkins will develop, coordinate and implement a comprehensive strategic plan for strengthening JSU’s identity and reputation in scientific and scholarly research. She will work closely with other units within the division to support faculty, departments, centers and college and university leadership in advancing their research priorities.
Moore said, “I am pleased with the selection of Miss Jenkins as director of Federal Relations. Her expertise in this area is essential in enhancing the university’s relationship with our congressional representatives as well as federal funding agencies. A major part of Miss Jenkins’ responsibilities is to monitor a wide breadth of government agencies in order to identify upcoming and announced grant opportunities. I believe this is critical to ensuring that we increase our research funding.”