Jackson State University

This article is about the historically black university. For the railway station also known as Jackson/State, see Jackson station (CTA Red Line).
"Jackson State" redirects here. Not to be confused with Jacksonville State University or Jacksonville University.
Jackson State University
Former name
Natchez Seminary
(1877–1883)
Jackson College
(1883–1940)
Mississippi Negro Training School
(1940–1944)
Jackson College for Negro Teachers
(1944–1967)
Jackson State College
(1967–1974)
MottoExcellentia academia investigatio et officium (Latin)
Motto in English
"Academic excellence in research and service"
TypePublic historically black research university
EstablishedOctober 23, 1877; 147 years ago (1877-10-23)
Parent institution
Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning[1]
AccreditationSACS
Academic affiliations
Endowment$60 million (2019)[2]
PresidentMarcus L. Thompson [3]
Academic staff
337 full time, 212 part time (fall 2022)[4]
Administrative staff
687 (fall 2020) [5]
Students6,564 (fall 2023)[6]
Undergraduates4,769 (fall 2023)[7]
Postgraduates1,795 (fall 2023)[7]
Location
Jackson
,
Mississippi
,
United States

32°17′46″N 090°12′28″W / 32.29611°N 90.20778°W / 32.29611; -90.20778
CampusMidsize city[8], 220 acres (0.89 km2)
NewspaperThe Blue & White Flash[9]
ColorsNavy blue and white[10]
   
NicknameTigers
Sporting affiliations
NCAA Division I FCS – SWAC
MascotBengal Tiger
Websitejsums.edu

Jackson State University (Jackson State or JSU) is a public historically black research university in Jackson, Mississippi. It is one of the largest HBCUs in the United States and the fourth largest university in Mississippi in terms of student enrollment. The university is a member of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity".

Jackson State University's athletic teams, the 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.

  1. ^ "Mississippi Public Universities - Institutions of Higher Learning - Frequently Asked Questions". www.mississippi.edu.
  2. ^ "JSU Audits | JSU Development Foundation". Jsums.edu. Archived from the original on 2020-02-22. Retrieved 2020-02-22.
  3. ^ Thomas, Alonda (November 16, 2023). "Board of Trustees names Dr. Marcus L. Thompson as President of Jackson State University".
  4. ^ "College Navigator - Jackson State University". nces.ed.gov.
  5. ^ https://www.jsums.edu/institutionalresearch/files/2021/01/Fall-2020_4.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  6. ^ "Institutional Research, Planning, and Effectiveness - Institutional Research | Jackson State University". www.jsums.edu.
  7. ^ a b "Institutional Research, Planning, and Effectiveness - Institutional Research | Jackson State University". www.jsums.edu.
  8. ^ "College Navigator - Jackson State University". nces.ed.gov.
  9. ^ "The Blue & White Flash | JSU's Official Student Newspaper". Archived from the original on 2020-10-05. Retrieved 2020-09-20.
  10. ^ "JSU Color Scheme | Style Guide". Jsums.edu. Retrieved 2016-04-09.