University Success: Honors Study Guide

Vocabulary flashcards for Test #1 covering JSU presidential history, academic colleges, campus centers, historical milestones, and core institutional values.

Charles Ayer

The founding president who led the institution from 1877 to 1894 when it was established in Natchez, MS, before its relocation to Jackson.

Luther G. Barrett

The second president of the institution, who guided the school into the 20th century from 1894 to 1911.

Zachary T. Hubert

The first African American president of the institution, serving from 1911 to 1927 and overseeing major academic expansions.

Buddy Baldwin Dansby

President from 1927 to 1940 who navigated the university through the difficult years of the Great Depression.

Jacob L. Reddix

President from 1940 to 1967 under whose long tenure the school transitioned into a state college and vastly expanded its campus footprint.

John A. Peoples Jr.

President from 1967 to 1984 who led the institution to official university status, introduced its first doctoral programs, and oversaw a tripling of the faculty size.

James A. Hefner

President from 1984 to 1991 who enhanced the school's research capabilities and academic programs.

Herman B. Smith

Served as interim president of the institution from 1991 to 1992.

James E. Lyons Sr.

President from 1992 to 1999 who focused heavily on community outreach, updating campus infrastructure, expanding research, and creating 15 new undergraduate and graduate programs.

Bettye Ward Fletcher

Made history as the first female president (interim) of JSU, serving from 1999 to 2000.

Ronald Mason Jr.

President from 2000 to 2010 who spearheaded significant technological updates and residential growth on campus.

Leslie Burl McLemore

Served as interim president of JSU in 2010.

Carolyn W. Meyers

Served from 2011 to 2016 as the university's first permanent female president.

Rod Paige

Former U.S. Education Secretary who stepped in as interim president from 2016 to 2017.

William B. Bynum

President from 2017 to 2020 who focused on enrollment and student retention strategies.

Thomas Hudson

President from 2020 to 2023 who was appointed after serving in an interim capacity.

Elayne Hayes-Anthony

Stepped in as acting president of JSU in 2023.

Marcus L. Thompson

Appointed permanent president in late 2023, serving from 2023 to 2025.

Denise Jones Gregory

Appointed interim president in 2025 before officially taking over as permanent president, launching the 'R.I.S.E. Together: Bridging the Gap' initiative.

College of Business

Offers academic programs in accounting, finance, management, and marketing.

College of Education and Human Development

Focuses on teacher education, educational leadership, and human services.

College of Health Sciences

Prepares students for careers in public health, communicative disorders, and healthcare management.

College of Liberal Arts

Covers humanities, social sciences, visual/performing arts, and communication.

College of Science, Engineering, and Technology (CSET)

Focuses on STEM disciplines including biology, chemistry, computer science, and engineering.

W.E.B. Du Bois – Maria Luisa Alvarez Harvey Honors College

A selective, interdisciplinary college founded in 1980 for high-achieving undergraduate students; officially renamed in 2017 to honor its pioneering long-time director and educator.

School of Public Health

Housed under the College of Health Sciences to combat community healthcare disparities; Jackson State was the first university in Mississippi approved by the state legislature to open one.

School of Lifelong Learning

Designed for adult learners, working professionals, and non-traditional students requiring maximum flexibility to complete a degree.

Center for Academic and Professional Success (CAPS)

Manages internships, professional development curriculum, and student organizations within the College of Business.

Center for Undergraduate Research

Enhances research opportunities for undergraduate students across all disciplines.

University Academic Advisement Center

Coordinates structured academic advising clusters to help students navigate their degrees.

Center for Distance Learning and Instructional Technology

Oversees online management systems and multimedia academic environments.

Center of Excellence in Minority Health and Health Disparities

Focuses on research and community resources to address healthcare gaps in minority populations.

Jackson Heart Study Graduate Training and Education Center

Provides public health research opportunities alongside the largest single-site investigation of cardiovascular disease causes in African Americans.

Public Health Informatics and Technology (PHIT) Center

Trains public health professionals to leverage modern data systems and informatics.

Alcohol and Drug Studies Center

Operates under the College of Liberal Arts to offer training and community prevention resources.

Margaret Walker Center

An archive and museum dedicated to the preservation of African-American history and culture.

COFO Center

Commemorates the Council of Federated Organizations, preserving the physical history of the Mississippi Civil Rights Movement and serving as a meeting site for MLK and civil rights organizations in the 1960s.

Richard Wright Center

Acts as the university's primary writing center, helping students develop research, presentation, and composition skills.

Cleopatra D. Thompson Curriculum Center

Provides PK-12 education resources, test prep (Praxis Lab), and instructional best practices.

Center for Teacher Quality

Focuses on preparation, retention, and quality enhancement for future educators.

Center for University Scholars

Provides institutional research support, grant assistance, and development opportunities for faculty researchers.

Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Fosters creative business development and cross-disciplinary technical skills.

Center for Business Development & Economic Research

Analyzes regional financial trends and helps integrate commercial opportunities into the campus workspace.

Annie Mae Brown McGhee

Became the first person to graduate from the school with a Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) degree in 1924.

Mississippi Negro Training School

The name adopted by the school in 1940 when it shifted to a four-year teacher education program for elementary and rural teachers.

Jackson College for Negro Teachers

The name adopted in 1944, the same year the first four-year graduating class under state support officially received Bachelor of Science degrees in education.

March 15, 1974

The date the institution officially achieved university status and was renamed Jackson State University (JSU).

Urban University of the State of Mississippi

The official designation given to JSU in 1979 by the Board of Trustees of the State Institutions of Higher Learning to expand its mission to serve urban environments.

H. T. Sampson Library

Underwent a massive $13.5\text{ million}$ expansion during the 1990s, doubling its physical capacity.

Mississippi e-Center at Jackson State University

A 192,000-square-foot technological complex on a 29-acre tract off main campus created in 2001 ($20\text{ million}$ value acquired for $3\text{ million}$ from Allstate Corporation).

Gibbs-Green Memorial Plaza

A central outdoor hub on main campus commemorating the tragedy of May 15, 1970.

The Gibbs-Green Tragedy of May 15, 1970

An event on May 15, 1970, where law enforcement fired over 460 rounds of ammunition in 28 seconds into Alexander Hall, killing two individuals.

Phillip Lafayette Gibbs

A 21-year-old JSU junior pre-law major and father who was killed during the Gibbs-Green Tragedy.

James Earl Green

A 17-year-old Jim Hill High School senior who was killed during the Gibbs-Green Tragedy while walking home from work.

Alexander Hall

A women's dormitory at JSU into which law enforcement fired over 460 rounds of ammunition on May 15, 1970.

JSU Core Values

The core values of Jackson State University: Tradition, Accountability, Nurturing, Service, and Responsibility.

JSU Principles for Collegiate Conduct

A covenant built on ten core tenets: Integrity, Philosophy, Class Attendance, Diversity, Communication, Behavior, Profanity, Accountability, Service, and Respect.