- Mailing Address
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1400 John R. Lynch Street
P.O. Box 17330
Jackson, Mississippi 39217 - Phone
- (601) 979-2121
- Email address
- futuretigers@jsums.edu
- Website
- https://www.jsums.edu/
- School Information
- "Jackson State University has a distinguished history, rich in the tradition of educating young men and women for leadership, having undergone seven name changes as it grew and developed. Founded as Natchez Seminary in 1877 by the American Baptist Home mission Society, the school was established as Natchez, Mississippi 'for the moral, religious and intellectual improvement of Christian leaders of the colored people of Mississippi and the neighboring states.'" Its student to faculty ratio is 14 to 1 and the total enrollment is approximately 10,000 students. The university offers 44 undergraduate degrees in 19 fields of study.
- General Information
- JSU offers numerous courses on diversity, and also offers numerous programs for diversity. JSU's educational programs, such as the Social Science and the Business Administration programs, incorporate diversity issues. JSU's freshman orientation program incorporates required diversity programming. See developments below:
Actions Taken
- Curriculum Changes and Requirements
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JSU's freshman orientation titled the First Six Weeks "develops critical thinking skills, promotes leadership development, encourages personal and social responsibility, enhances multicultural maturity and competency, and champions holistic development of all students," offering inclusive excellence programming.
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The JSU Social Science Ethnic Studies will ensure students "define and explain key concepts related to racial and cultural studies such as colonialism, oppression, slavery, privilege, sexism, colorblindness, multiculturalism, diversity, tolerance, anti-racism." The Social Studies Teacher Licensure program also encourages the same.
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The Department of Business Administration educates students to "develop an awareness of multiculturalism and diversity understanding."
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The school’s College of Education and Human Development’s Department of Educational, Multicultural, and Exceptional Studies seeks to “educate diverse populations” and teaches DEI topics to students.
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- Program and Research Funding
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On May 12, 2021, JSU announced its "first chief diversity officer as part of the institution’s continuing commitment to advance diversity and inclusion on campus." Dr. Ida Jones will serve this position.
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The school has an Institute for Social Justice and Race Relations which “hosts colloquia, forums, symposia and conferences; develops leadership and organizing skills in students and our community; and provides a platform for faculty to share pedagogy, teaching and research ideas.”
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- Resources
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JSU offers resources for anti-racism.
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On April 17, 2023, The Claremont Institute Center for the American Way of Life published an article titled "Where’s the DEI at the HBCUs?" which states that "The lack of diversity policies at Historically Black Colleges and Universities makes clear that the concept means something other than its public definition." According to the article, "Neither Jackson State nor Grambling State, two famous HBCUs, have DEI plans or central administrators."
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- Symbolic Actions
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On August 4, 2020, JSU highlighted a student joining the protests for George Floyd.
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JSU held a talk with Ibram X. Kendi about his book, "Stamped From the Beginning," in 2016. Kendi discusses anti-racism in his work.
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JSU's president is "committed to the standards of diversity and inclusion."
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On November 4, 2020, JSU joined the National Alliance for Inclusion and Diversity STEM Faculty, titled Aspire.
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The Center for Student Engagement and Leadership is committed to diversity and inclusion by "encouraging students to embrace a diverse and inclusive community."
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JSU awarded the director for the Center for University-Based Development, Heather Wilcox, with the Institutions of Higher Learning Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award.
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