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In her annual State of the University address Thursday, President Carolyn W. Meyers touted JSU as a force to be reckoned with as she shared a litany of accomplishments over the past year that she believes would make any institution of higher learning envious.
“We charted a course, and we never looked back,” said Meyers, who discussed her five priority areas and goals for the new academic year. Citing the theme “One JSU: Class – Celebrating a Legacy of Achievement, Success and Sustainability,” Meyers said a spirit of unity has “propelled this university to break down barriers, foster new partnerships and collaborations, expand our reach and influence, and create a solid narrative of accomplishments.”
[pullquote align=”right”]’We charted a course, and we never looked back.’ — President Carolyn W. Meyers[/pullquote]Among her notable citations included the university’s second consecutive designation as an Apple Distinguished School for 2015-17 and retaining the status by the Carnegie Institute as a higher-research activity institution – one of only two HBCUs in the nation honored with such a coveted distinction.
Overcoming obstacles
Speaking inside the Rose E. McCoy Auditorium to hundreds of faculty and staff before the official start of school, Meyers addressed a couple of unflattering issues, too. They involved last year’s housing debacle that left some students temporarily without lodging and media attention swirling around an alleged inordinate number of firings and terminations.
She emphasized that those reports tell only part of the story about a university destined for continued greatness. She credited strong support from the university community for quickly resolving the housing issue and rebuffed claims that JSU rivals other state institutions of higher learning in employee dismissals. Instead, she said, the discrepancy involved institutions such as JSU employing an aging Baby-boomer population being outsourced as “time-limited contractors, consultants and adjuncts for special activities.”
Furthermore, Meyers said, the number of employee grievances continues to remain flat with no more than three per year since she’s been the chief executive at JSU.
Regardless of the issues, the president said JSU is resilient – even amid state appropriation cuts that test the university’s resolve. And, despite the budget crunch, “Still, we rise,” she intoned. “We believe the best is yet to come.”
Meyers gave special attention to her five priority areas: 1) academics; 2) investment in people; 3) innovation, collaborations and partnerships; 4) resources – $180 million over the past five years; and 5) communication – telling our own story.
A plethora of accomplishments
She trumpeted examples of more progress and adulation:
- Hiring of new head football Coach Tony Hughes
- Division of Athletics receiving national recognition in academics
- SWAC academic achievements for 175 athletes
- One JSU Excellence Awards to 21 faculty and staff members
- 13.9 percent increase in grants and awards for research and development
- Opening of CyberLearning’s Engage center for 3D printing and imaging
- Upgrades to the Charles F. Moore Building with 21st-century learning centers
- JSU alums competing in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro (Michael Tinsley and Anaso Jobodwana)
- Sonic Boom’s captivating appearance at the annual Honda Battle of the Bands
- New STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) degree programs for the College of Science, Engineering and Technology
- Establishment of a School of Journalism and Media Studies and School of Public Health (Initiative)
- Opening of a new downtown location
- Dual enrollment partnership with Jackson Public Schools
- Community college outreach
- Enrollment of Bill & Melinda Gates scholars
- Passport to the World travel-abroad initiative to help students compete globally
- Circle of Humanity – a student-inspired project showcasing flags of 60 countries representing the university’s diverse population and expressing cultural inclusion
- Full reaffirmation and accreditation through 2021 from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Moreover, the campus attracted heavy-hitters and luminaries to the campus. The most famous was the historic visit by first lady Michelle Obama as the 2016 undergraduate commencement speaker. Her address attracted scores of spectators and helped JSU garner global acclaim.
Visiting dignitaries
Other visitors have included former President Bill Clinton; Juan Williams, a Fox News contributor and political commentator; Dr. James Minor (a JSU alum), U.S. deputy secretary for higher education programs; and Kevin Liles, an entertainment mogul.
The celebration and highlights don’t just stop there, however.
JSU also has been featured on Lifetime’s “The Balancing Act” in a segment focusing on higher education historical excellence. And, this fall, the university will be spotlighted in a “Voices in America” presentation on higher education to air nationally on multiple public broadcasting stations and networks, including the Discovery Channel and CNBC.
Beaming with pride, Meyers said, “JSU continues to make great leaps in academics, research, service and more” and will maintain that pace in the future. She concluded that none of this would be possible without the dedication and commitment from faculty, staff, alumni and community partners that include the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning and Board of Trustees, as well as all levels of government officials.