View source for Jackson State University

{{Short description|Public historically black university in Jackson, Mississippi, U.S.}}
{{Redirect-distinguish-text|Jackson State|[[Jacksonville State University]], [[Jackson State Community College]], or [[Jacksonville University]]}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2025}}
{{Infobox university
 | name                   = Jackson State University
 | former_name            = Natchez Seminary<br />(1877–1883)<br />Jackson College<br />(1883–1940)<br />Mississippi Negro Training School<br />(1940–1944)<br />Jackson College for Negro Teachers<br />(1944–1967)<br />Jackson State College<br />(1967–1974)
 | image                  = Jackson State University seal.png
 | accreditation          = [[Southern Association of Colleges and Schools|SACS]]
 | parent                 = Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mississippi.edu/about/|title=Mississippi Public Universities - Institutions of Higher Learning - Frequently Asked Questions|website=www.mississippi.edu}}</ref>
 | image_size             = 180px
 | motto                  = ''Excellentia academia investigatio et officium'' ([[Latin]])<!--<br />"Challenging Minds, Changing Lives"-->
 | mottoeng               = "Academic excellence in research and service"
 | established            = {{Start date and age|1877|10|23|br=y}}
 | type                   = [[Public university|Public]] [[Historically black colleges and universities|historically black]] [[research university]]
 | academic_affiliations  = {{hlist|[[Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities|CUMU]]|[[Oak Ridge Associated Universities|ORAU]]|[[Thurgood Marshall College Fund|TMCF]]|[[National Sea Grant College Program|Sea-grant]]|[[National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program|Space-grant]]}}
 | president              = Denise Jones Gregory <small>(interim)</small>
 | faculty                = 337 full time, 212 part time <small>(fall 2022)</small><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=jackson+state&s=all&id=175856#general|title=College Navigator - Jackson State University|website=nces.ed.gov}}</ref>
 | administrative_staff   = 687 <small>(fall 2020)</small><ref name="jsums.edu pdf">{{Cite web |title=Jackson State University Employees by EEO Categories, Ethnicity, and Gender |url=https://www.jsums.edu/institutionalresearch/files/2021/01/Fall-2020_4.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=November 6, 2025 |website=Jackson State University}}</ref>
 | students               = 6,564 <small>(fall 2023)</small><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jsums.edu/institutionalresearch/#home|title=Institutional Research, Planning, and Effectiveness - Institutional Research &#124; Jackson State University|website=www.jsums.edu}}</ref>
 | undergrad              = 4,769 <small>(fall 2023)</small><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.jsums.edu/institutionalresearch/|title=Institutional Research, Planning, and Effectiveness - Institutional Research &#124; Jackson State University|website=www.jsums.edu}}</ref>
 | postgrad               = 1,795 <small>(fall 2023)</small><ref name="auto"/>
 | free_label             = Newspaper
 | free                   = ''The Blue & White Flash''<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://sites.jsums.edu/jsuflash/ |title=The Blue & White Flash &#124; JSU's Official Student Newspaper |access-date=2020-09-20 |archive-date=2020-10-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005124104/http://sites.jsums.edu/jsuflash/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
 | endowment              = $60 million (2019)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jsums.edu/jsudf/audit.htm |title=JSU Audits &#124; JSU Development Foundation |publisher=Jsums.edu |access-date=2020-02-22 |archive-date=2020-02-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200222164744/http://www.jsums.edu/jsudf/audit.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
 | city                   = [[Jackson, Mississippi|Jackson]]
 | state                  = [[Mississippi]]
 | country                = United States
 | coor                   = {{coord|32|17|46|N|090|12|28|W|display=inline,title}}
 | campus                 = Midsize city<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=Jackson&s=all&id=175856|title=College Navigator - Jackson State University|website=nces.ed.gov}}</ref>
 | campus_size            = {{cvt|220|acre|km2}}
 | colors                 = Navy blue and white<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jsums.edu/styleguide/jsu-color-scheme/ |title=JSU Color Scheme &#124; Style Guide |publisher=Jsums.edu |access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref><br />{{color box|#000080}} {{color box|#FFFFFF}}
 | sports_nickname        = [[Jackson State Tigers|Tigers]]
 | mascot                 = Bengal Tiger
 | sporting_affiliations  = [[NCAA Division I]] [[Football Championship Subdivision|FCS]] – [[Southwestern Athletic Conference|SWAC]]
 | website                = {{URL|https://www.jsums.edu/|jsums.edu}}
 | logo                   = Jackson State University logo.png
 | logo_size              = 200px
}}

'''Jackson State University''' ('''Jackson State''' or '''JSU''') is a [[Public university|public]] [[Historically Black colleges and universities|historically black]] [[research university]] in [[Jackson, Mississippi]]. It is a member of the [[Thurgood Marshall College Fund]] and [[Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education|classified]] among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity".

Jackson State University's athletic teams, the [[Jackson State Tigers and Lady Tigers|Tigers]], participate in [[NCAA Division I]] athletics as a member of the [[Southwestern Athletic Conference]] (SWAC). Jackson State is also the home of the [[Sonic Boom of the South]], a marching band founded in the 1940s. Their accompanying danceline, the ''Prancing J-Settes'', are well known for their unique style of dance, known as [[J-Setting]].

==History==
[[File:JacksonCollege.jpg|right|thumb|Jackson College in 1889]]

Jackson State University developed from '''Natchez Seminary''', founded October 23, 1877, in [[Natchez, Mississippi]]. The seminary was affiliated with the [[American Baptist Home Mission Society|American Baptist Home Mission Society of New York]], who established it "for the moral, religious, and intellectual improvement of Christian leaders of the colored people of Mississippi and the neighboring states".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jsums.edu/unite/jsu-history/|title=Jackson State University {{!}} Unite Pre-Engineering Summer Program {{!}} JSU History|website=www.jsums.edu|access-date=2019-06-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/jackson-state-university-1877/|title=Jackson State University (1877- ) • BlackPast|date=2010-01-07|website=BlackPast|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-18}}</ref> In 1883, the school changed its name to '''Jackson College''' and moved from Natchez to a site in Jackson, the capital.<ref name="MSenc"/> The college moved to its current location early in the 20th century, where it developed into a full state university.<ref name="MSenc">{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://mississippiencyclopedia.org/entries/jackson-state-university/ |title=Jackson State University |encyclopedia=Mississippi Encyclopedia |access-date=17 February 2020 |last=Kendrick |first=Eva Walton}}</ref> Its original site in Jackson is now the location of [[Millsaps College]].

In 1934, during the Great Depression, the Baptist Society withdrew financial support. The school became a state-supported public institution in 1940 as the '''Mississippi Negro Training School'''.  The name has changed over time: '''Jackson College for Negro Teachers''' in 1944;. '''Jackson State College''' in 1967, after desegregation; and with the addition of graduate programs and expanded curriculum, Jackson State University in 1974.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jsums.edu/universitycommunications/jsu-history/ |title=JSU History |publisher=Jackson State University |access-date=January 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905202835/http://www.jsums.edu/universitycommunications/jsu-history/|archive-date=September 5, 2019}}</ref>

Many students at Jackson State College became active in the civil rights movement. Work to gain integrated practice and social justice continued after civil rights legislation was passed in the mid-1960s. During an on-campus protest on May 14, 1970, [[Jackson State killings|two students were killed by police gunfire]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126426361|title=Jackson State: A Tragedy Widely Forgotten|work=npr.org|date=3 May 2010|access-date=24 April 2019|last1=Wyckoff|first1=Whitney Blair}}</ref> and an additional 12 students injured by gunfire.<ref>{{cite news|author=Roy Reed|title=F.B.I. Investigating Killing Of 2 Negroes in Jackson: Two Negro Students Are Killed In Clash With Police in Jackson|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=May 16, 1970|page=1|id={{ProQuest|80023683}}}}</ref> A dormitory still bears the bullet marks fired on that day.<!-- Outcome of investigation? -->

The university drew national attention in 2023 when the faculty senate voted "[[Motion of no confidence|no confidence]]" in university president Thomas Hudson. They alleged that he "repeatedly failed to respect shared governance, transparency, and accountability".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.diverseeducation.com/institutions/hbcus/article/15306186/jackson-state-university-faculty-senate-voted-no-confidence-in-jsu-president-thomas-hudson |title=Jackson State University Faculty Senate Voted No Confidence in JSU President Thomas Hudson |first=Arrman |last=Kyaw |publisher=Diverse Issues in Higher Education |date=January 30, 2023 |access-date=January 30, 2023}}</ref> Shortly thereafter, the university's board of trustees placed Hudson on administrative leave and appointed Elayne Hayes-Anthony the acting president.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2023/03/02/jsu-president-thomas-hudson-relieved-of-duties-by-ms-ihl-interim-named/69963034007/ |title=JSU president Hudson placed on administrative leave by IHL. Here is what we know |first=Ross |last=Reily |publisher=[[Clarion Ledger]] |date=March 2, 2023 |access-date=March 3, 2023}}</ref>

==Campuses==
[[File:Ayer Hall.jpg|thumb|right|Ayer Hall on main campus]]
The main campus contains over 50 academic and administrative buildings on {{convert|245|acre|km2}}. It is located at 1400 [[John R. Lynch]] Street between Prentiss and Dalton Streets.

Ayer Hall was constructed in 1903 and is the oldest structure on the main campus. It was named in honor of the first president of the institution, Charles Ayer. The building was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1977. Gibbs-Green Pedestrian Walkway was named in honor of the two young men who died in the [[Jackson State killings|Jackson State shooting]] in 1970. As a result of the landmark "Ayers Settlement" in 2002, the university, along with the other two public HBCUs in the state, has completed extensive renovations and upgrades to campus.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://diverseeducation.com/article/79655/|title=Jackson State Raises Non-Black Enrollment, Gains Control of Endowment|last=cmaadmin|date=20 December 2015}}</ref>

Jackson State has satellite campuses throughout the [[Jackson metropolitan area, Mississippi|Jackson Metropolitan]] area:

* Universities Center (Ridgewood Road)
* Jackson Medical Mall (Woodrow Wilson)
* Mississippi E-Center
* Downtown (100 Capitol Street)

== Organization and administration ==

=== Governance ===
The board of trustees is the constitutional governing body of the Mississippi State Institutions of Higher Learning.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mississippi.edu/board/|title=Mississippi Public Universities – The Board of Trustees -|website=www.mississippi.edu|access-date=2019-06-18|archive-date=2015-08-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150817070132/http://www.mississippi.edu/board/|url-status=dead}}</ref> This body appoints the president of the university. There are 575 faculty and 1,431 staff; 54% of the faculty are tenured, teaching approximately 6,500 undergraduate and graduate students.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.jsums.edu/institutionalresearch/files/2010/06/2017-2018-FACTS-AND-FIGURES-update-2.pdf|title=2017–18 Facts and Figures}}</ref>

=== Presidents ===
{{Columns-list|colwidth=25em|
#1877–1894: Charles Ayer
#1894–1911: Luther G. Barrett
#1911–1927: Zachary T. Hubert
#1927–1940: Buddy Baldwin Dansby
#1940–1967: [[Jacob L. Reddix]]
#1967–1984: [[John A. Peoples Jr.]]
#1984–1991: [[James A. Hefner]]
#1992–1999: James E. Lyons Sr.
#2000–2010: [[Ronald Mason Jr.]]<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Jackson State University has had 7 presidents since 2010. Here is a look at them |url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2023/03/03/jackson-state-university-past-presidents-and-how-they-left-jsu/69966542007/ |access-date=2023-03-27 |website=[[The Clarion-Ledger]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
#2010: [[Leslie Burl McLemore]] (interim)<ref name=":1" />
#2011–2016: [[Carolyn Meyers]]<ref name=":1" />
#2016–2017: [[Rod Paige]] (interim)<ref name=":1" />
#2017–2020: William B. Bynum<ref>{{cite web |last1=Vicory |first1=Justin |title=Jackson State University president resigns after arrest in prostitution sting |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/jackson-state-university-president-resigns-after-arrest-in-prostitution-sting/ar-BBZQTZe |website=www.msn.com |access-date=10 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=February 10, 2020 |title=JSU president among 17 arrested in prostitution sting |url=https://www.wlbt.com/2020/02/10/jsu-president-arrested-soliciting-prostitute/ |website=WLBT 3 News}}</ref>
#2020–2023: [[Thomas Hudson (academic administrator)|Thomas Hudson]]<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Jaschik |first=Scott |date=2023-03-06 |title=Jackson State U President Placed on Leave |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2023/03/06/jackson-state-u-president-placed-leave |access-date=2023-03-27 |website=Inside Higher Ed |language=en}}</ref>
#2023: Elayne Hayes–Anthony (acting)
#2023–2025: Marcus L. Thompson<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Alonda |date=2023-11-16 |title=Board of Trustees names Dr. Marcus L. Thompson as President of Jackson State University |url=https://www.jsumsnews.com/board-of-trustees-names-dr-marcus-l-thompson-as-president-of-jackson-state-university/ |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=JSU Newsroom |language=en-US}}</ref>
#2025–present: Denise Jones Gregory (interim)<ref>{{Cite news|date=2025-05-09 |title=Gregory asks for patience, partnership, and prayers after taking helm as JSU interim president |url=https://www.wlbt.com/2025/05/09/gregory-asks-patience-partnership-prayers-after-taking-jsu-interim-president/ |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=WLBT |language=en}}</ref>
}}

== Academics ==
{{Infobox US university ranking
<!-- U.S. rankings -->| ARWU_NU = 
| Forbes = 
| USNWR_NU = 363 of 436
| Wamo_NU = 102 of 438
| ARWU_W = 
| QS_W = 
| THES_W = 
}}

JSU colleges and schools include:
* College of Business
* College of Education and Human Development
* College of Liberal Arts
* College of Health Sciences
* College of Science, Engineering and Technology
* W.E.B. Du Bois – Maria Luisa Alvarez Harvey Honors College
* School of Public Health
* School of Lifelong Learning

=== Teaching and learning ===
In 2015, JSU became the first university in Mississippi approved by the legislature to establish a [[Public health|School of Public Health]] which is housed under the  College of Health Sciences.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hbculifestyle.com/jsu-school-of-public-health/ |title=JSU to Create the 1st School of Public Health in Mississippi |publisher=Hbculifestyle.com |date=2015-05-04 |access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jsums.edu/#|title = Homepage}}</ref> JSU is the only university in Mississippi to earn two consecutive "Apple Distinguished School" distinctions from [[Apple Inc.]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jsumsnews.com/?p=20372 |title=JSU blossoms again as Apple Distinguished School for 2015–2017 &#124; Jackson State Newsroom |publisher=Jsumsnews.com |date=2015-12-18 |access-date=2016-04-09 |archive-date=2016-03-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310054809/http://www.jsumsnews.com/?p=20372 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Since 2012, Jackson State University has provided all first-time, full-time freshmen brand new [[iPads]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jsumsnews.com/?p=25102|title=JSU continues to promote innovation in education with iPad Initiative – Jackson State Newsroom|website=www.jsumsnews.com|access-date=2016-09-21|archive-date=2017-08-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804113900/http://www.jsumsnews.com/?p=25102|url-status=dead}}</ref> JSU is the first and only HBCU in Mississippi to support a bachelor's and master's level [[engineering]] program.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usnewsuniversitydirectory.com/articles/best-historically-black-engineering-colleges_14790.aspx|title=Best Historically Black Engineering Colleges|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513212637/http://www.usnewsuniversitydirectory.com/articles/best-historically-black-engineering-colleges_14790.aspx|archive-date=2016-05-13|work=U.S. News & World Report}}</ref> The [[W. E. B. Du Bois|W.E.B. Du Bois]] – Maria Luisa Alvarez Harvey Honors College is a selective [[interdisciplinary]] college at the university for the most high-achieving undergraduate students.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jsums.edu/honorscollege/|title=W.E.B. Du Bois Honors College – Jackson State University|work=jsums.edu|access-date=15 September 2016}}</ref>

=== Academic centers ===
*The Margaret Walker Center is dedicated to the preservation, interpretation, and dissemination of African American culture
*The COFO Civil Rights Education Center focuses on civil rights and developing future leaders 
*The Richard Wright Center was established to help students improve their writing and presentation skills

=== Military science ===
Tiger Battalion, the university's [[Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps|Army ROTC]] program is the host [[United States Army|US Army]] ROTC program for [[Belhaven University]], [[Delta State University]], [[Hinds Community College]], Millsaps College, [[Mississippi College]], [[Mississippi College School of Law]], [[Mississippi Valley State University]], [[Tougaloo College]], and [[University of Mississippi Medical Center|University of Mississippi Medical Center's School of Nursing]]. [[United States Air Force|Air Force]] Detachment 006 is the [[Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps|Air Force ROTC]] Component for the Jackson metropolitan area. Hosted at Jackson State, it also serves students from Belhaven University, Millsaps College, Mississippi College and Tougaloo College.

==Athletics==
{{Main|Jackson State Tigers}}
Jackson State is a member of the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and the [[Southwestern Athletic Conference]]. JSU fields teams in basketball, track and field, cross country, baseball, softball, golf, tennis, soccer, bowling, volleyball, and football. The university's mascot is the Tiger, and the teams are sometimes referred to as the "Blue Bengals".

[[File:Jackson State athletics logo.svg|thumb|Official athletics logo]]

===Football===
{{main|Jackson State Tigers football}}

JSU athletics is historically most well known for its football program. JSU consistently leads the nation in Division I FCS football average home attendance.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://herosports.com/2021-fcs-attendance-leaders-bzbz/ | title=2021 FCS Attendance Leaders | date=5 February 2022 }}</ref><ref>https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/article296567899.html {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2025}}</ref> JSU Tigers football alumni includes [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]]rs [[Lem Barney]], [[Jackie Slater]], [[Walter Payton]], [[Robert Brazile]], and [[Jimmy Smith (wide receiver)|Jimmy Smith]].

JSU participates in a number of notable football games with rival colleges. These include:

*Jackson State's homecoming football game is annually one of the highest attended and most anticipated home games<ref>{{cite web | url=https://hbcugameday.com/2021/10/16/record-jackson-state-homecoming-crowd-sees-win-over-asu/ | title=Record Jackson State homecoming crowd sees win over ASU | date=16 October 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.wapt.com/article/jsu-has-record-crowd-for-homecoming-game-10-17/37981692 | title=JSU has record crowd for Homecoming game | date=17 October 2021 }}</ref>
*[[Jackson State–Southern football rivalry|BoomBox Classic]] – played against [[Southern University]] on a rotating home-and-home schedule
*[[Soul Bowl]] (formerly Capital City Classic) – played against [[Alcorn State University|Alcorn State]] on a rotating home-and-home schedule<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/college/jackson-state/2021/11/20/jackson-state-football-beats-rival-alcorn-first-sellout-deion-sanders-era/8584473002/ | title=Jackson State football pulls away from Alcorn State 24-10 in first sellout of Deion Sanders era }}</ref>

===Basketball===
{{main|Jackson State Tigers basketball}}

As of 2024, JSU men's basketball has won five [[SWAC men's basketball tournament|SWAC titles]] and made three [[NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament]] appearances.

[[File:JSU Sonic Boom of the South at Halftime.jpg|thumb|The Sonic Boom of the South at halftime in [[Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium]]]]

===Sonic Boom of the South===
{{Main|Sonic Boom of the South}}
The marching band began in the 1940s at what was then Jackson State College, under the directorship of Frederick D. Hall, who had directed a band at the college as early as the 1920s, in addition to the chorus and orchestra. It was initially made up of students from Jackson College and [[Lanier High School (Jackson, Mississippi)|Lanier High School]].<ref name="Sonic Boom2">{{cite web|url=http://websites.one.jsums.edu/sonicboom/?page_id=518|title=A Brief History and Chronology of the 'Sonic Boom'|website=Sonic Boom of the South|publisher=Jackson State University|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701002223/http://websites.one.jsums.edu/sonicboom/?page_id=518|archive-date=July 1, 2017}}</ref> Founded as the Jackson State University Marching Band, the name "Sonic Boom of the South" was adopted by the school in 1971, after having been suggested by band members.<ref name="Sonic Boom2" /> The first full-time band director, William W. Davis, was appointed in 1948, replacing Charles Saulsburg, who had been director since 1947.<ref name="Sonic Boom2" /> Davis had previously played trumpet in [[Cab Calloway]]'s band, and Calloway's musical style and showmanship influenced Davis's conceptualization of the marching band.<ref name="Sonic Boom2" /> The band at this time had around 20 members, increasing to 88 in 1963.<ref name="smithsonian">{{cite magazine|last=Grant|first=Richard|author-link=Richard Grant (writer)|date=January 2017|title=March to the Joyous Raucous Beat of the Sonic Boom of the South|url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/march-joyous-raucous-beat-sonic-boom-south-180961436/|magazine=[[Smithsonian (magazine)|Smithsonian]]|publisher=[[Smithsonian Institution]]|access-date=November 28, 2018}}</ref> Davis retired as director in 1971, but remained the chief arranger for the band.<ref name="Sonic Boom2" /> He was replaced by Harold J. Haughton.<ref name="Sonic Boom2" /> Haughton was instrumental in the creation of the [[J-Setting|''Prancing J-Settes'']], the band's accompanying danceline.

==Student life==
{| class="wikitable floatright sortable collapsible"; text-align:right; font-size:80%;"
|+ style="font-size:90%" |Undergraduate demographics as of Fall 2023<ref>{{cite web |title= College Scorecard: Jackson State University|url=https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?175856-Jackson-State-University|website=College Scorecard |publisher=[[United States Department of Education]] |access-date=July 26, 2025 }}</ref>
|-
! Race and ethnicity
! colspan="2" data-sort-type=number |Total
|-
| [[African Americans|Black]]
|align=right| {{bartable|95|%|2||background:purple}}
|-
| [[Non-Hispanic whites|White]]
|align=right| {{bartable|2|%|2||background:cyan}}
|-
| [[International student]]
|align=right| {{bartable|1|%|2||background:#008080}}
|-
| [[Multiracial Americans|Two or more races]]
|align=right| {{bartable|1|%|2||background:violet}}
|-
! colspan="4" data-sort-type=number |[[Economic diversity]]
|-
| [[American lower class|Low-income]]{{efn|The percentage of students who received an income-based federal [[Pell grant]] intended for low-income students.}}
|align=right| {{bartable|67|%|2||background:red}}
|-
| [[Affluence in the United States|Affluent]]{{efn|The percentage of students who are a part of the [[American middle class]] at the bare minimum.}}
|align=right| {{bartable|33|%|2||background:black}}
|}
===Student body===
In fall 2022, Jackson State's total enrollment was 6,906, of which 4,927 were undergraduate students and 1,979 were graduate.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=jackson+state&s=all&id=175856#enrolmt|title=College Navigator - Jackson State University|website=nces.ed.gov}}</ref>

As of fall 2020, 67% of Jackson State's student community were Mississippi residents, with the majority from [[Hinds County, Mississippi|Hinds County]] and [[Madison County, Mississippi|Madison County]]. The top three feeder states were [[Illinois]] (409 students), [[Louisiana]] (269), and [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] (220). [[Nigeria]] accounted for the highest number of international students on campus. 91% of students identified as Black, 6% identified as white, and 4% identified with various race categories. 31% of students were male, and 69% of students were female.<ref>https://www.jsums.edu/institutionalresearch/files/2021/07/2020-21-Facts-and-Figures.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=August 2024}}</ref>

===Student organizations===
[[File:Entrance of the Gibbs-Green Memorial Plaza @ Jackson State University.jpg|thumb|230px|Entrance of JSU's Gibbs-Green Memorial Plaza]]
Jackson State University offers over 60 registered student organizations. There are academic, residential, religious, Greek, and special interest groups.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jsums.edu/studentlife/student-organizations/|title=Student Organizations &#124; Student Affairs|date=2013-12-20|publisher=Jsums.edu|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref> All student organizations are governed under the Student Affairs division.

===Campus media===
Jackson State is home to radio station [[WJSU-FM|WJSU-88.5 FM]] which plays jazz, gospel, news, and public affairs programming. The television station [[W23BC]] is known as JSUTV and aired on Comcast. The independent weekly student newspaper is called ''Blue and White Flash''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://issuu.com/expmagazine|title=JSU Student Publications|website=Issuu|language=en|access-date=2019-05-16}}</ref> and the ''Jacksonian'' magazine features news and highlights about the university.

==Notable alumni==
<gallery class="center" caption="Notable JSU alumni">
File:Laphonza_Butler_Senate_photo,_2023.jpg|[[Laphonza Butler]]<br /><span style="font-size:90%">[[United States Senate|United States Senator]] from [[California]], 2023–2024</span>
File:Lindsey_Hunter_in_2009.jpeg|[[Lindsey Hunter]]<br /><span style="font-size:90%">[[Basketball]] player, 2-time [[National Basketball Association|NBA]] Champion</span>
File:Rod_Paige.jpg|[[Rod Paige]]<br /><span style="font-size:90%">[[United States Secretary of Education]], 2001–2005</span> 
File:1986_Jeno%27s_Pizza_-_12_-_Walter_Payton_(Walter_Payton_crop).jpg|[[Walter Payton]]<br /><span style="font-size:90%">[[American football]] player, 9-time [[Pro Bowl]]er, [[Pro Football Hall of Fame|Hall of Fame]]</span>
Tramel_Tillman_at_the_2025_Cannes_Film_Festival_05.jpg|[[Tramell Tillman]]<br /><span style="font-size:90%">Actor</span>
File:Cassandra_Wilson.jpg|[[Cassandra Wilson]]<br /><span style="font-size:90%">Singer, 2-time [[Grammy Award|Grammy]] winner</span>
</gallery>

===Education===
{{AlumniStart}}
{{Alum|name=[[Charlotte P. Morris]]|year=1970|nota=Interim president of [[Tuskegee University]] (2010; 2017–2018)|ref=<ref>{{cite news |title=Leadership Change at Tuskegee University |url=https://www.jbhe.com/2017/06/leadership-change-at-tuskegee-university/ |access-date=June 19, 2018 |work=The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education |date=June 2, 2017}}</ref>}}
{{Alum|name=[[Rod Paige]]|year=1955|nota=First African-American to serve as Secretary of Education during President George W. Bush administration (2001–2005), former head football coach at Jackson State (1964–1968), and interim president of JSU (2016–2017)|ref=<ref>{{Cite web |title=College Board names Rod Paige interim JSU president |url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2016/11/01/rod-paige-interim-jsu-president/93106816/ |access-date=2023-06-23 |website=[[The Clarion-Ledger]] |language=en-US}}</ref>}}
{{Alum|name=[[Mary L. Smith (educator)|Mary L. Smith]]|year=1957|nota=11th president of [[Kentucky State University]] (1991–1998)|ref=<ref>{{cite news |title=Smith, ex-Kentucky State President, dies |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74232635/the-park-city-daily-news/ |access-date=March 24, 2021 |work=[[The Daily News (Kentucky)|The Park City Daily News]] |page=3 |date=December 1, 2020}}</ref>}}
{{AlumniEnd}}

===Arts, entertainment, and music===<!-- In alphabetical order by surname -->
{{AlumniStart}}
{{Alum|name=[[Derrick Barnes (author)|Derrick Barnes]]|year=1999|nota=Children's literature and illustrator |ref=<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-03-04 |title=Derrick Barnes, Award-Winning Children's Author, to Visit the Appalachian State University Academy at Middle Fork on Wednesday, March 20 |url=https://rcoe.appstate.edu/news/derrick-barnes-award-winning-children%E2%80%99s-author-visit-appalachian-state-university-academy |access-date=2023-06-23 |website=Derrick Barnes, Award-Winning Children’s Author, to Visit the Appalachian State University Academy at Middle Fork on Wednesday, March 20 |language=en}}</ref>}}
{{Alum|name=[[Vivian Brown (meteorologist)|Vivian Brown]]|year=1986|nota=Television meteorologist|ref=<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-12-30 |title=Ask AP: Vivian Brown |url=https://americanprofile.com/articles/vivian-brown-weather-channel/ |access-date=2023-06-23 |website=American Profile |language=en-US}}</ref>}}
{{Alum|name=[[Tobias Dorzon]]|year= |nota=Chef, television personality, restaurateur, and former professional football player|ref=<ref>{{Cite news |date=2010-05-02 |title=Four former Lackawanna College Falcons sign NFL contracts |pages=9 |work=The Times Leader |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-leader-four-former-lackawanna/128887847/ |access-date=2023-07-26}}</ref>}}
{{Alum|name=[[Percy Greene]]|year=|nota=Founding editor of the ''[[Jackson Advocate]]'' newspaper, Mississippi's oldest black-owned newspaper|ref=<ref>{{Cite web |last=Speer |first=Lisa K. |date=July 11, 2017 |title=Greene, Percy |url=https://mississippiencyclopedia.org/entries/percy-greene/ |access-date=2023-06-23 |website=Mississippi Encyclopedia |publisher=Center for Study of Southern Culture |language=en-US}}</ref>}}
{{Alum|name=[[Lester Julian Merriweather]]|year=2000|nota=Memphis-based visual artist, collagist |ref=<ref name="LocateArts">{{Cite web |title=Lester Merriweather |url=https://locatearts.org/artists/lester-merriweather |access-date=2023-06-23 |website=Locate Arts |language=en}}</ref>}}
{{Alum|name=[[Demarco Morgan]]|year=2001|nota=Former news anchor for [[KCBS-TV]] in Los Angeles, [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]], and [[GMA: The Third Hour]]|ref=<ref name="onmilwaukee1">{{cite news|url=https://www.onmilwaukee.com/buzz/articles/demarcomorgan.html|title=Channel 12's Demarco Morgan named 'Leader of the Future' by Ebony|last=staff|date=January 12, 2006|publisher=[[OnMilwaukee.com]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316094729/https://www.onmilwaukee.com/buzz/articles/demarcomorgan.html |access-date=|archive-date=2012-03-16 }}</ref>}}
{{Alum|name=[[Willie Norwood]]|year=|nota=Gospel singer, father and voice coach of R&B singers [[Brandy Norwood|Brandy]] and [[Ray J]]|ref=<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hayes |first=Liz |title=Music Lasts Forever |url=http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/2012/jul/18/music-lasts-forever/ |access-date=2023-06-23 |website=Jackson Free Press|language=en}}</ref>}}
{{Alum|name=[[Sekou Smith]]|year=1997|nota=Sportswriter, reported on the [[NBA]]|ref=<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-01-27 |title=NBA analyst Sekou Smith dies due to COVID-19 |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/30786000/nba-reporter-analyst-sekou-smith-dies-48-due-covid-19 |access-date=2023-06-23 |website=ESPN |language=en}}</ref>}}
{{Alum|name=[[Tonea Stewart]]|year=1969|nota=Actress and educator|ref=<ref>{{Cite book |last=McCann |first=Bob |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X7ZYsnTPIhwC&pg=PA314 |title=Encyclopedia of African American Actresses in Film and Television |date=2009-12-21 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0-7864-5804-2 |language=en|page=314}}</ref>}}
{{Alum|name=[[Tramell Tillman]]|year=2008|nota=Actor|ref=}}
{{Alum|name=[[Cassandra Wilson]]|year=1980|nota=Jazz vocalist and musician|ref=<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Charisse |date=1994-09-29 |title=In The Studio With: Cassandra Wilson; Singing a Song of the South |language=en-US |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/29/garden/in-the-studio-with-cassandra-wilson-singing-a-song-of-the-south.html |access-date=2023-06-23 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>}}

{{AlumniEnd}}

===Politics, law, and government===
{{AlumniStart}}
{{Alum|name=[[Felicia C. Adams]]|year=1981|nota=United States Attorney for the [[United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi]] 2011–2017|ref=<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndms/meet-us-attorney |title=Meet the U.S. Attorney |publisher=Justice.gov |access-date=2017-04-05 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170208190946/https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndms/meet-us-attorney |archive-date=2017-02-08 }}</ref>}}
{{Alum|name=[[Arekia Bennett]]|year=|nota=Voting rights activist, executive director of Mississippi Votes|ref=<ref name="Tisdale2020">{{Cite news |title=MS Votes: The next generation of freedom fighters are here |url=https://jacksonadvocateonline.com/ms-votes-the-next-generation-of-freedom-fighters-are-here/ |last=Tisdale |first=DeAnna |newspaper=[[Jackson Advocate]] |date=October 1, 2020 |access-date=August 17, 2024 |language=en}}</ref>}}
{{Alum|name=[[Cornell William Brooks]]|year=1983|nota=[[Yale Law School|Yale]]-trained lawyer, 18th president and CEO of the [[NAACP]]|ref=}}
{{Alum|name=[[Emmett C. Burns, Jr.]]|year=|nota=Member of the Maryland House of Delegates from the 10th district|ref=}}
{{Alum|name=[[Laphonza Butler]]|year=2001|nota=[[United States Senate|United States Senator]] from California (2023–present)|ref=}}
{{alum|name=[[Robert G. Clark, Jr.]]|year=1952|nota=Politician; elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives in 1967; first African American elected to the Mississippi State Legislature since the Reconstruction era|ref=<ref name="Adderton">{{cite news |last1=Adderton |first1=Donald |title=Clark helped move state beyond prejudice |newspaper=Columbian-Progress |date=March 13, 2004 |page=4}}</ref>}}
{{Alum|name=[[Dennis Deer]]|year=|nota=2nd district [[Cook County Board of Commissioners|Cook County Commissioner]]|ref=<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.commissionerdeer.com/commissioner-deer-1|title=About Commissioner Dennis Deer|access-date=September 28, 2020|publisher=Cook County Government|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928202257/https://www.commissionerdeer.com/commissioner-deer-1|archive-date=September 28, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
{{Alum|name=[[Carlton W. Reeves]]|year=1986|nota=Judge of the [[United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi]]|ref=}}
{{Alum|name=[[Bennie G. Thompson]]|year=1973|nota=Member [[U. S. House of Representatives]] (1993–present)|ref=}}
{{Alum|name=[[Tony Yarber]]|year=2004|nota=Mayor of [[Jackson, Mississippi]]|ref=<ref>{{cite web|title=Office of the Mayor|publisher=City of Jackson, Mississippi|url=http://www.jacksonms.gov/index.aspx?nid=245|access-date=2014-04-25|archive-date=2014-04-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140425041313/http://www.jacksonms.gov/index.aspx?nid=245|url-status=dead}}</ref>}}
{{AlumniEnd}}

===Sports===
{{AlumniStart}}

{{Alum|name=[[Shasta Averyhardt]]|year=2008|nota=Professional golfer, first [[African-American]] woman to qualify for the [[LPGA Tour]] since 2001, and its fourth African-American woman member in the 60-year history of the tour|ref=<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blackamericaweb.com/?q=articles%2Fnews%2Fthe_state_of_black_america_news%2F24593|title=Black America Web|website=Black America Web}}</ref>}}
{{Alum|name=[[Lem Barney]]|year=|nota=[[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] member, cornerback with the [[Detroit Lions]]|ref=}}
{{Alum|name=[[Marcus Benard]]|year=2009|nota=Former NFL linebacker|ref=}}
{{Alum|name=[[Oil Can Boyd|Dennis "Oil Can" Boyd]]|year=|nota=Former [[Major League Baseball]] pitcher|ref=}}
{{Alum|name=[[Robert Braddy]]|year=|nota=[[Jackson State Tigers baseball]] player and coach|ref=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/2016/jul/07/bob-braddy/|title=Bob Braddy|first=Bryan|last=Flynn|work=Jackson Free Press}}</ref>}}
{{Alum|name=[[Corey Bradford]]|year=|nota=Former [[National Football League]] wide receiver|ref=}}
{{Alum|name=[[Robert Brazile]]|year=|nota=Pro Football Hall of Fame member, 7-time NFL [[Pro Bowl]] [[outside linebacker]] with the [[Houston Oilers]]|ref=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=BRAZIROB01 |title=Robert Lorenzo Brazile |publisher=databaseFootball.com |access-date=November 10, 2012 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019070515/http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=BRAZIROB01 |archive-date=October 19, 2012 }}</ref>}}
{{Alum|name=[[Wes Chamberlain]]|year=|nota=Former Major Leaguer outfielder|ref=}}
{{alum|name=[[Dave Clark (baseball)|Dave Clark]]|year=|nota=Former Major League outfielder|ref=}}
{{alum|name=[[Darion Conner]]|year=|nota=American football player convicted of vehicular homicide|ref=}}
{{Alum|name=[[Archie Cooley|Archie "Gunslinger" Cooley]]|year=1962|nota=Former head football coach at [[Mississippi Valley State University]], [[University of Arkansas–Pine Bluff]], [[Norfolk State University]], and [[Paul Quinn College]]|ref=}}
{{Alum|name=[[Speedy Duncan|Leslie "Speedy" Duncan]]|year=|nota=Former 4-time NFL Pro-Bowl [[cornerback]] with the [[San Diego Chargers]] and [[Washington Redskins]]|ref=}}
{{Alum|name=[[Marvin Freeman]]|year=|nota=Former Major League pitcher|ref=}}
{{Alum|name=[[Cletis Gordon]]|year=|nota=Former NFL defensive back|ref=}}
{{Alum|name=[[Roy Hilton]]|year=1965|nota=Former NFL defensive end|ref=<ref>Joe Marcin and Mike Douchant (eds.), ''Football Register 1974.'' St. Louis: The Sporting News, 1974, p. 145.</ref>}}
{{Alum|name=[[Lindsey Hunter]]|year=|nota=Former [[National Basketball Association|NBA]] [[point guard]]. Won the [[2001–02 NBA season|2001–02]] championship with the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] and the [[2003–04 NBA season|2003–04]] championship with the [[Detroit Pistons]]; formerly interim heach coach of the Phoenix Suns|ref=}} 
{{Alum|name=[[Travis Hunter]]|year=2022|nota=2024 [[Heisman Trophy]] Recipient, 
first HBCU Alum to ever do so |ref=}}
{{Alum|name=[[Harold Jackson (football)|Harold Jackson]]|year=|nota=Former Jackson State head Football coach; former NFL wide receiver; played majority career with the [[Los Angeles Rams]] and [[New England Patriots]]|ref=}}
{{Alum|name=[[Claudis James]]|year=|nota=Former NFL player|ref=}}
{{Alum|name=[[Jaymar Johnson]]|year=2008|nota=Current NFL wide receiver|ref=}}
{{Alum|name=[[Trey Johnson]]|year=|nota=Current NBA/NBA Development League player|ref=}}
{{Alum|name=[[Robert Kent (quarterback)|Robert Kent]]|year=|nota=Jackson State and professional quarterback|ref=}}
{{Alum|name=[[Ed Manning]] |year=|nota=Drafted by the [[Baltimore Bullets (1963–73)|Baltimore Bullets]] in the eighth round (1st pick, 80th overall) of the 1967 [[NBA draft]], father of [[Danny Manning]]|ref=}}
{{Alum|name=[[Picasso Nelson]]|year=|nota=Gridiron football player|ref=}}
{{Alum|name=[[Audie Norris]]|year=|nota=Former [[National Basketball Association|NBA]] [[Power forward (basketball)|Power forward]] and superstar for [[Winterthur FC Barcelona]] in the late 1980s|ref=}}
{{Alum|name=[[Eddie Payton]]|year=1973|nota=NFL kick returner; current Jackson State golf coach|ref=}}
{{Alum|name=[[Walter Payton]]|year=1975|nota=Pro Football Hall of Fame member; played entire career as running back for the [[Chicago Bears]]|ref=}}
{{Alum|name=[[Donald Reese]]|year=|nota=NFL Player; played for the [[Miami Dolphins]], [[New Orleans Saints]] and the [[San Diego Chargers]]|ref=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=REESEDON01 |title=Donald Francis Reese |publisher=databaseFootball.com |access-date=November 10, 2012 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102230358/http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=REESEDON01 |archive-date=November 2, 2012 }}</ref>}}
{{Alum|name=[[Purvis Short]]|year=|nota=Former [[National Basketball Association|NBA]] [[small forward]] for the [[Golden State Warriors]] in the mid-1980s|ref=}} 
{{Alum|name=[[Jackie Slater]]|year=|nota=Pro Football Hall of Fame member; played entire career as offensive tackle with the [[Los Angeles Rams|Los Angeles]]/[[St. Louis Rams]]|ref=}}
{{Alum|name=[[Jimmy Smith (wide receiver)|Jimmy Smith]]|year=|nota=Retired NFL wide receiver; played majority career with the [[Jacksonville Jaguars]]|ref=<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitJi00.htm|title = Jimmy Lee Smith| publisher= Pro-Football-Reference.Com|access-date= December 3, 2012}}</ref>}}
{{Alum|name=[[Karen Taylor (basketball)|Karen Taylor]] |year=|nota=Played professionally in Europe, mother of [[Stanley Johnson (basketball)|Stanley Johnson]]|ref=<ref>{{cite news|author=Bruce Pascoe|date=7 November 2013|url=http://tucson.com/sports/basketball/college/wildcats/johnson-fulfills-mom-s-hoops-wishes/article_3cdd7065-1dee-51b2-8da9-864a55497915.html|title=Johnson fulfills mom's hoops wishes|work=Arizona Daily Star|access-date=7 July 2015}}</ref>}}
{{Alum|name=[[Michael Tinsley]]|year=2006|nota=Track & field sprinter|ref=<ref name="Tinsley">{{cite news |title=MICHAEL TINSLEY |url=https://www.teamusa.org/usa-track-and-field/athletes/Michael-Tinsley |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150822214724/http://www.teamusa.org/usa-track-and-field/athletes/Michael-Tinsley |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 22, 2015 |access-date=18 May 2020}}</ref>}}
{{Alum|name=[[Rickey Young]]|year=1975|nota=Retired NFL running back with the [[San Diego Chargers]] and [[Minnesota Vikings]]|ref=}} 
{{AlumniEnd}}

===Honorary===
{{AlumniStart}}

{{Alum|name=[[Michelle Obama]]|year=2016|nota=First African-American to serve as First Lady of the United States; received an honorary doctorate from Jackson State University, where she served as the keynote speaker for its 2016 spring undergraduate commencement ceremony|ref=<ref name=autogenerated1>{{Cite web|url=https://trib.com/news/state-regional/woman-arrested-for-murder-of-sheridan-man/article_31bac2c0-0f23-5129-8316-bad431a1a7a6.html|title=Woman arrested for 1999 murder of Sheridan man|date=June 7, 2005|website=Casper Star-Tribune}}</ref>}}

{{AlumniEnd}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Mississippi|United States}}

==Notes==
{{noteslist}}

==References==
{{clear}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
* {{Official website|http://www.jsums.edu}}

{{Jackson State University}}
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[[Category:Public universities and colleges in Mississippi]]
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