(JACKSON, Miss) — Jackson State University’s upcoming graduates are entering the Spring 2026 Commencement Ceremonies with job offers and post-graduation plans already in motion. Many students will go from the classroom to a career, reflecting the impact of JSU’s workforce preparation, employer engagement and student experience on the path to employment.
Bethsheba Johnson, a Jackson, Mississippi native and marketing major, accepted a full-time offer with Gallagher, one of the top insurance brokers in the nation. Johnson will graduate with a 3.66 GPA from the College of Business.
“I was able to accept my full-time offer with Gallagher because of the professional development I received through the College of Business,” Johnson said. “I completed internships for two years at Gallagher in Illinois, built my network and earned an offer after representing JSU well both years in the program. JSU taught me academic and professional excellence, and it shaped the journey that brought me to this moment.”
The JSU Career Development Center continues to track outcomes through the First Destination Graduate Survey, a document aimed at capturing the full employment picture for Spring 2026 graduates. To date, 254 out of 815 graduating students (approximately 31%) have submitted responses.
Among survey respondents, 49% indicate they will start working, 26% indicate they are continuing their education, 22% report they are still seeking employment, and 1.45% indicate they are enlisting in the military.
“Students’ success is not an accident, it is the result of partnerships, preparation and persistence,” said Lashanda W. Jordan, Ph.D., executive director of Career & Student Services. “We encourage all graduating students to complete the First Destination Graduate Survey so we can continue improving how we connect talent to opportunity.”
Graduates Share Offers Before Walking the Stage
Civil engineering student Joseph Thedford earned a career milestone through hands-on experience and technical preparation during his JSU journey.
“At Jackson State University, I developed a strong foundation in structural analysis, materials and engineering design,” Thedford said. “During my internship, I gained real-world experience with construction materials testing and field observations, which helped me understand the responsibility engineers carry for safety, quality and accuracy. Receiving an offer from WSP (William Sale Partnership) represents an important step in my career, and I’m excited to continue learning and contributing.”
Thedford is also graduating as a member of the Sonic Boom of the South and played percussion, while maintaining a 3.1 GPA. WSP Global, Inc., is one of the top engineering and professional services consulting firms.
Raegan Johnson, who served as the 2025-2026 SGA president, will earn her degree in computer engineering and also walk into a full-time position. Johnson’s path included early engagement in STEM and health programming, employer-facing conferences and leadership development experiences that culminated in a full-time offer. She’ll graduate with a 3.4 GPA.
“I started at JSU two days after high school graduation as an Aristocrats Health & STEM Sciences Scholar, and I completed my computer engineering degree here,” Johnson said. “Through networking within the department and career services, I attended EmpowerU and was the first JSU participant for the first cohort of scholars in Beachwood, Ohio, with Eaton Corporation. After the conference, I received internship offers through their leadership development program. As a result, I’ve accepted a full-time position as an operational analyst for their Information Technology Leadership Program.”
JSU Graduates’ Employment Forecast
Jordan believes First-Destination data shows progress and that the job fairs, hosted by the career center and other academic units, help to strengthen placement outcomes.
“The job outlook for Jackson State University’s spring 2026 graduates is moderately strong, especially for students in fields like STEM, healthcare, and business. There are opportunities available, but students who have internships, hands-on experience, and are open to relocating will have the best outcomes. Simply put, jobs are out there. Students just need to be prepared and ready to compete and possibly relocate.”
Three Commencement Ceremonies
All three students will participate in the second undergraduate commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 2 at 2 p.m., representing the Colleges of Science, Engineering, and Technology and Business.
JSU alumna Jasmin Searcy-Pate, Ph.D. will serve as the guest speaker. 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.
The graduate school exercise is Friday, May 1 at 9 a.m. The program will also include the golden anniversary for the Class of 1976.
JSU alumnus Dr. Jelani Chinelo Zarif will deliver the keynote address. 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.
Emmy Award-winning actor Tramell Tillman will deliver the commencement address for the first undergraduate ceremony on Saturday, May 2, at 9 a.m. This will include students from the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Education and Human Development.
Tillman earned an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role in the Apple TV+ series Severance, as Seth Milchick, 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.
Friday, May 1, 2026 Graduate School Commencement:
· 9 a.m.
Saturday, May 2, 2026 Undergraduate Commencement Ceremonies:
· 9 a.m. Colleges of Liberal Arts and Education & Human Development
· 2 p.m. Colleges of Science, Engineering, and Technology (CSET), Health Sciences, and 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.
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