Jackson State University
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".
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) |
|---|---|
| Motto | Excellentia academia investigatio et officium (Latin) "Challenging Minds, Changing Lives" |
Motto in English | "Academic excellence in research and service" |
| Type | Public historically black research university |
| Established | October 23, 1877 |
Parent institution | Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning |
| Accreditation | SACS |
Academic affiliations | |
| Endowment | $60 million (2019) |
| President | Elayne Hayes-Anthony (acting) |
Academic staff | 450 |
Administrative staff | 1,208 |
| Students | 7,020 (fall 2019) |
| Undergraduates | 5,152 (fall 2019) |
| Postgraduates | 1,868 (fall 2019) |
| Location | , , United States 32°17′46″N 090°12′28″W |
| Campus | Midsize city, 220 acres (0.89 km2) |
| Newspaper | The Blue & White Flash |
| Colors | Navy blue and white |
| Nickname | Tigers |
Sporting affiliations | NCAA Division I FCS – SWAC |
| Mascot | Bengal Tiger |
| Website | www |
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.