Dear JSU family,
We’ve made it to the end of another incredible year here at Jackson State University! I hope you are preparing to gather with friends, family and loved ones wherever your holiday travels may take you.
I want to thank the entire JSU community for supporting Thee I Love throughout the year. We have made tremendous strides collectively to elevate the university and further enhance our academic offerings and resources to ensure the success of our students.
Jackson State University experienced a stellar 2022 of memorable milestones, academic prominence and research excellence.
JSU hosted the grand opening of the Women’s Business Center, a resource to provide business services to women-owned small businesses seeking federal contract dollars. Also, we were pleased to relaunch the JSU Institute for Social Justice and Race Relations, which serves as a forum to study and develop social justice initiatives.
In keeping with our strategic plan to advance our academic programming to meet industry needs, JSU launched a new bachelor’s degree in public health, a master’s degree in political science, and a supply chain management program.
The Division of Research and Economic Development achieved a record 90.96 percent increase in sponsored research totaling more than $65.8 million in awards.
Jackson State University was awarded $1 million by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to serve as a key institution for the National Innovation Network. JSU has had an NSF I-Corps site since 2016, training more than 300 faculty and students to translate emerging technologies from the lab to the market.
Additionally, JSU continues to serve as a leader in closing the digital divide through our NSF partnership. The university will participate with a consortium of HBCUs managing a $15 million grant focused on cyber infrastructure research.
The year also presented challenges that we overcame as a community. The ongoing City of Jackson water crisis forced us to delay freshman Move-In Day at the start of the semester. With the support of several generous donors, who contributed bottled water and financial support, we quickly returned to normal operations. I’m pleased to report that our university researchers are working with the local and federal authorities to implement practical solutions to achieve water equity for the residents of Jackson.
Jackson State was featured on several prominent national stages throughout the year, including hosting visits by MSNBC, Black College Live, 60 Minutes, Good Morning America and ESPN’s College Game Day. Each media mention provided an opportunity to highlight the best JSU offers through our enhanced athletic prowess, student activism, robust campus life and faculty expertise.
Most importantly, commencement is the pinnacle of our mission to educate diverse scholars to become global leaders. More than 500 graduates joined the ranks of proud alums in December as thousands of family and friends cheered them on. It was an enjoyable experience to witness, and I wish our graduates the best in their next chapter.
Every milestone we’ve achieved is possible through the unwavering support of our JSU community. To the hard-working faculty and staff, thank you for your constant pursuit of excellence which helps the institution to elevate. Thank you to our dynamic student body for selecting JSU as your home away from home. Your spirit of innovation, creativity and zest for your professional pursuits inspires us all.
Lastly, thank you to our dedicated JSU alumni and supporters. Your commitment to helping us rise to new levels of success is palpable, and I am grateful for your presence in the lives of our students through your investment in JSU.
I wish you great tidings of comfort and joy this holiday season!
Sincerely,
Thomas K. Hudson
President