Jackson State University announces the appointment of Jonas Owen Vanderbilt Jr., Ph.D., as the new Vice President of Student Affairs.
Dr. Vanderbilt will join the Executive Cabinet under the leadership of President Marcus Thompson, Ph.D., who continues to fortify his administration and efficacy while remaining committed to elevating the university’s standing as a premier institution for higher education.
Dr. Vanderbilt has an 18-year history working in student affairs. He is the former Vice President of Student Affairs at Huston-Tillotson University and a board member of the National Association for Student Affairs Professionals (NASAP). He also holds a Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification.
The New Iberia, Louisiana, native said his approach as vice president will be to advocate for students while being dedicated to fostering their personal and academic growth as well as staff.
“My goal is to help them holistically become the best versions of themselves while supporting the academic enterprise through engagement and socialization. This will build networks and lifelong memories. With this, we aim to create productive alumni and teams that will wholeheartedly and pridefully support JSU and be excellent representatives of our university throughout the nation,” he shared.
Dr. Vanderbilt has served in numerous higher education roles, from adjunct professor and student life director to interim VP for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management and Strategic Retention, which has provided him with a breadth of knowledge that he has shared with similar professionals at various workshops.
“We sought a candidate whose diverse background would deeply resonate with our student body. Dr. Vanderbilt’s career, marked by academic excellence, leadership, and artistic talent, gives him a unique lens to understand student needs while helping them fulfill their scholarly ambitions,” said Dr. Thompson. “His commitment to fostering the comprehensive growth of our students, in preparation for real-world experiences, will undoubtedly enrich their matriculation at JSU.”
Dr. Vanderbilt is a member of several professional organizations, including the Higher Education and Leadership Foundation (HELF) staff and Iota Cohort member, Association for Fraternity and Sorority Advisors (AFA), Student Affairs Professionals in Higher Education (NASPA), Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities (APCA), and National Society for Leadership and Success (NSLS).
A professional dancer, adjudicator, and choreographer, Dr. Vanderbilt has performed and worked with many professional, collegiate, and studio teams nationwide. He has also shared his talents on film projects, videos, stage shows, and movies, working with several celebrity musicians, actors, and artists, and notably founding Southern University Basketball and Competitive Dance Team Gold’N Bluez.
Dr. Vanderbilt holds a Bachelor of Science in chemistry, a master’s degree in educational leadership, and a Ph.D. in public policy from Southern University and A&M College. He is also an active member of the Alpha Sigma Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, where he served as an advisor for many years. He catapulted his undergraduate chapter to multiple Chapter of the Year and individual awards, including many city recognitions.
“A quote that I live by is as follows: ‘When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, I used everything you gave me’ by Erma Bombeck,” Dr. Vanderbilt said. “Attending an HBCU has afforded me, like many others, not only a way to find and explore talents and leadership skills but also to develop and showcase them.”
Dr. Vanderbilt’s appointment is contingent upon approval by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning.