Jackson State University to Select Top Candidates for Next President

Jackson State University officials are preparing to select three top candidates for its next president next week, on March 19-20. These finalists will be invited to the campus for second-round interviews in mid-April, according to sources familiar with the process.

Members of the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning’s Board of Trustees, along with the university’s search advisory group and search firm consultants, held a closed session Thursday to discuss semifinalists for the role. The March 3 deadline for applications passed, but officials declined to disclose how many applications they received.

While IHL established a search advisory group to promote transparency, members said they cannot publicly discuss potential candidates due to a board policy. Patrease Edwards, president of the Jackson State University National Alumni Association and an advisory group member, confirmed that confidentiality agreements prevent discussion of meeting details. Similarly, Gee Ogletree, IHL board president and search committee member, declined to comment on the meeting.

Some higher education officials said they are bound by IHL policy from sharing information about applicants. Sen. Sollie Norwood, a Jackson Democrat and alumni of Jackson State, expressed confidence in the transparency of the process. He noted that unstable leadership at the university has hindered progress on various projects, including efforts related to student housing and athletic facilities.

Norwood said he is prepared to support the candidate selected by the search committee. Meanwhile, Rep. Zakiya Summers, also a Jackson Democrat and JSU alumna, emphasized the importance of a clear vision from the next president. She highlighted priorities such as student housing and new athletic facilities, and stressed the need for the president to work closely with lawmakers and alumni to uphold the university’s legacy.

The presidency has been vacant since May, when Marcus Thompson resigned less than two years into his tenure. Denise Jones Gregory, a former provost and vice president of academic affairs, has been serving as interim president. In December, IHL trustees unanimously voted to waive a policy preventing interim presidents from applying for the full-time role. It is unclear whether Jones Gregory has submitted an application, as she did not respond to Mississippi Today’s inquiries. The decision to waive the policy followed criticism from alumni and stakeholders about the transparency of the recent search process.

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