Updated: WAPT reports any talk of Dr. Meyers leaving is erroneous. This is one reason JJ posted the note below.  If the rumors are untrue, they just got squashed quicklike.  

Jackson State University President Carolyn Meyers sent out the following email yesterday:

Greeting JSU Family:

 

As we approach homecoming, I have been thinking about us.  Over five years ago, when I came to Jackson State University, I accepted the honor and privilege to serve as the 10^th president. I have witnessed the strength and commitment of our faculty, staff, student body, alumni and friends to this fine institution. I have witnessed our university become One JSU. With the tremendous support of the Mississippi congressional delegation, state and city elected and appointed officials, businesses, friends, and alumni, Jackson State University is transforming the learning environment through innovation, cyberlearning, new degree programs, cutting-edge research, affordability, and an emphasis on globalization. This is why JSU is one of only a few schools in the nation to be named an Apple Distinguished School (2013-2015 and 2015 - 2017).

In my inaugural speech I expressed my desire to transform the learning environment at JSU through five priority areas: 1) Academics; 2) Invest in people; 3) Innovations, Partnerships and Collaborations; 4) Resources; and 5) Communications. Together with the administrators, faculty, staff, students and alumni, we chartered a course and never looked back. The One JSU spirit propelled the university to break down barriers, foster new partnerships and collaborations, and create a narrative that our university can compete globally. Academics is the “business” of JSU and thus, our first priority was to secure accreditation from our accrediting body, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. JSU is fully re-accredited through 2021. In the Fall of 2015, JSU experienced a three-year enrollment growth, topping all universities statewide. JSU now boasts an enrollment of almost 10,000 students.

To accommodate the increasing needs of our growing student body, JSU launched the School of Journalism and Media Studies and is working towards creating the first School of Public Health in Mississippi.  In addition to these schools, JSU has opened two new campuses. The Madison Campus extends JSU’s reach to one of the fastest-growing suburban communities in the state in the beautiful city of Madison. The booming Downtown Jackson Campus is a new facility conveniently and strategically located near the A. H. McCoy Federal Building and the Jackson Convention Complex. In two short years, the Institutions of Higher Learning has approved six new degree programs in the College of Science, Engineering and Technology. These programs are: Ph.D. in Engineering, a Ph.D. and a Master of Science in Computational and Data Enabled Science and Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Statistics, and a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology. Through these new schools, campuses, programs, and other resources, we are equipping our students to succeed academically, personally, and professionally, and to compete on a global scale.

I remain excited about the progress of Jackson State University and as I always say, it is a great time to be a Tiger! Our faculty, staff and administrators are committed to the success of students and it shows in the recognitions received locally, nationally, and internationally. As we continue to tell our story, numerous thought leaders and government officials visit our beautiful campus to experience first-hand the innovation and transformation taking place at JSU. Among those we have hosted are basketball Hall of Famer, businessman and entrepreneur Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson, distinguished professor of computing at the Georgia Institute of Technology Dr. Richard DeMillo, former deputy director of the National Science Foundation Dr. Cora B. Marrett, director emerita of the Louisiana Center for Academic Success Dr. Saundra Y. McGuire, Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson, and Former President Bill Clinton. Recently, I was given the opportunity to appear on The Balancing Act on Lifetime Television on a segment entitled “Higher Education – Historical Excellence Meets Today’s Technology,” where JSU was the focus of the segment. Additionally, Voices In America filmed a short-form documentary about JSU, highlighting JSU’s educational excellence, student and faculty achievements, and state-of-the-art technology.

We continue to strengthen the academic pipeline by partnering with Hinds Community College, Holmes Community College and other community colleges, as well as K-12 schools across the State of Mississippi. To prepare our students to compete globally, we have established ‘Passport to the World’ and created partnerships and agreements with several international universities, providing opportunities for our students to study abroad and enjoy global educational experiences.

And our students are fabulous and multi-talented.  Our Boom is known the world over and ‘owned’ the 2016 Honda Battle of the Bands.  Our athletes, in reflection of the tremendous work of our coaches and athletics staff, lead the SWAC conference in academic performance every year and have won numerous championships.  Our 930 Initiative is recognized as a model program for all in the NCAA.

What a distinct honor and privilege it was to have the First Lady of the United States of America, Michelle Obama, address our graduates at the 2016 Undergraduate Commencement Exercise. Her message was powerful and inspiring as she encouraged our graduates to choose excellence. “It is the most powerful thing you can do for yourself, because the process of striving and struggling and pushing yourself to new heights - see, that’s how you make yourself stronger and smarter and more able to make a difference for others,” she remarked. First Lady Obama also remarked that JSU is a “great school that you are now a part of. That tiny little seminary, as you see it now, is a distinguished university, one of the largest, most vibrant HBCUs in the country. That is your alma mater. Pushing forward in science and technology, the arts, education, and so much more.” This was a singular moment in JSU’s history that we will never forget.

My heartfelt thanks are extended to our august senators -Senator Thad Cochran and Senator Roger Wicker, to our Congressional delegation – especially Congressman Bennie G. Thompson, Governor Phil Bryant, Mayor Tony Yarber and the Jackson City Council, Hinds County Board of Supervisors and the Hinds County delegation, Mississippi State Legislators, our business partners, alumni and friends.

Your support and commitment to this fine institution are truly immeasurable. Know that I am forever grateful.  Heartfelt appreciation is also extended to those who gave me the opportunity to become a Jacksonian in 2011 as well as to those inside and outside of JSU who showered me with prayers and love in recognition that “It’s about the University!”

Finally, it is my hope and prayer that Jackson State University will continue to embrace excellence and will keep propelling this special university to new heights and distinctiveness.  Remember, as ONE JSU we honor our past while enabling a brighter future for this planet.  This is a tall order but you have proven that JSU has the talent and will to do it.  So the rest of the world should Get Ready!

Sincerely,

President Carolyn W. Meyers

Kingfish note: This is a very interesting email.  Interesting because the rumor mill ran wild last night that Dr. Meyers had been fired yesterday or was going to be fired this week.   Several sources said watch the IHL Board meeting scheduled to take place tomorrow.