Jackson State University hosted Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant, who met with President Carolyn W. Meyers and her Cabinet on Wednesday, Feb. 11, to hear about his vision for a healthcare corridor and the need for engineers trained by the city’s prominent urban institution.
Bryant said the state is going to revitalize the capital city, and JSU “has got to be a major part of it.” Acknowledging the significance of JSU’s influence and the Jackson Medical Mall, he urged collaboration for an allied healthcare center to transform Mississippi. He praised JSU for being an Apple Distinguished School and compared the accomplishment to the innovation of telemedicine, which, according to Bryant, is “the fastest growing segment of the healthcare industry. It would be a wonderful opportunity for JSU to blend an allied healthcare center to reach urban areas and the entire state with a world-class facility.”
In addition, the governor says he will lean on JSU’s renowned engineering program to help fill a dearth of qualified engineers at the Nissan plant in Canton, thus supporting professionals who may want to return to Mississippi.
Dr. Meyers said JSU is onboard to help advance the state, and said the university has a strong, ongoing commitment to healthcare and engineering, specifically noting that “over the past two years the majority of JSU’s freshman classes have been science, technology, engineering and mathematics majors.”
To further support the healthcare initiative, Bryant says, “We’ve got to tear down old structures.” His plan includes building 65 new single-family dwellings for healthcare workers that encompass the medical corridor of downtown Jackson. “We want to look at how we access Jackson State with convenient, smaller locations for bringing a dynamic healthcare facility to needed areas.” Furthermore, Bryant emphasized the need to address teen pregnancies and premature births, as well as collaboration with community colleges.
Meyers touted JSU’s relationship with Holmes and Hinds community colleges, acknowledging that the university continues to build its ties with other area institutions to improve the state. She said JSU will do all it can to help move Mississippi forward.
During his JSU visit, Bryant experienced a virtual and walking tour, visiting facilities such as the CREATE and INNOVATE technology centers at the H.T. Sampson Library and the College of Business’ stock market trading room.