2026 Fall Faculty & Staff Seminar
august 3 - 4 • 8 a.m.
lee e. williams athletics and assembly center jackson, ms
GUIDEBOOK CONTENTS
Vision, Mission, Operational Principles and Core Values | 4
JSU History | 5
Milestones | 6 - 8
JSU Presidents | 8
2026 Fall Faculty and Staff Seminar Program-Day One | 9
Concurrent Sessions Overview | 10 - 12
2026 Fall Faculty and Staff Seminar Program-Day Two | 12
Division Meetings | 12
College Meetings | 13
Academic Department and Unit Meetings | 13 - 15
Campus Map | 16 -1 7
2026 Fall Faculty and Staff Committee | 18
VISION STATEMENT
Building on its historic mission of empowering diverse students to become leaders, Jackson State University will become recognized as a challenging, yet nurturing, state-of-the-art technologically infused intellectual community. Students and faculty will engage in creative research, participate in interdisciplinary and multiinstructional/organizational, collaborative learning teams and serve the global community.
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of Jackson State University, an HBCU and comprehensive urban research university, is to provide quality teaching, research and service at the baccalaureate, master’s, specialist and doctoral levels to diverse populations of students and communities using various modalities to ensure that they are technologically-advanced, ethical, global leaders who think critically and can address societal problems and compete effectively.
OPERATIONAL PRINCIPLES
EXCELLENCE – As an academic institution, the University strives to be a center of excellence where teaching, research, and service are of the highest quality informed by the best practices in the academy and civil society.
ACCOUNTABILITY – The University believes in the principled exercise of leadership and the sanctity of the public trust.
PERFORMANCE – Through appropriate policies and opportunities, the University expects that its faculty, staff, administrators, and students adhere to the highest standards of quality in the discharge of their responsibilities.
PROFESSIONALISM – The University believes in high levels of proficiency, superior service, ethical behavior, and readiness to effectively serve its constituency and the public.
CORE VALUES
TRADITION – The University believes that its role as a historically black university inspires and exemplifies positive societal change.
Accountability – The University believes in the principled exercise of leadership and the sanctity of the public trust.
LEARNING – The University believes in an experimentally enhanced learning environment where teaching, research, and service are integrated and mutually reinforcing.
NURTURING – The University is committed to creating a community, which affirms and welcomes persons from diverse backgrounds and experiences and supports the realization of their potential.
SERVICE – The University responds to the needs of society to the best of its ability and expects its graduates to do likewise.
RESPONSIBILITY – The University believes in and accepts its duty to enhance each generation’s capacity to improve the human condition.
HISTORY
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 under the auspices of the American Baptist Home Mission Society, the school was established in Natchez, Mississippi “for the moral, religious and intellectual improvement of Christian leaders of the colored people of Mississippi and the neighboring states.” In November 1882, the school was moved to Jackson; in March 1899, the curriculum was expanded and the name was changed to Jackson College. The state assumed support of the college in 1940, assigning to it the mission of training teachers.
Subsequently, between 1953 and 1956, the curriculum was expanded to include a graduate program and bachelor’s programs in the arts and sciences; the name was then changed to Jackson State College in 1956. Further expansion of the curriculum and a notable building program preceded the elevation of Jackson State College to university status on March 15, 1974. In 1979, Jackson State was officially designated the Urban University of the State of Mississippi. Presently, Jackson State University, a public, coeducational institution, is recognized as a Research 2 “High Research Spending and Doctorate Production” institution based on the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. It is supported by legislative appropriations supplemented by student fees and federal and private grants.
MILESTONES
jsu on a mission
1877 Founded in Natchez, Mississippi, as Natchez Seminary, operating under the auspices of the American Baptist Home Mission Society of New York. Twenty newly freed slaves enroll to become ministers and teachers
1882 Relocated to Jackson, Mississippi, on what is now the campus of Millsaps College, renamed Jackson College
1885 Construction begins on the site now home to the University’s main campus
JSU Emerging Identity
1924 First degree awarded
1934 American Baptist Home Mission Society withdraws support; move toward state control begins
1940 Renamed Mississippi Negro Training School. The state Institutions of Higher Learning expands the curriculum to a four-year teacher education program
1944 Renamed Jackson College for Negro Teachers. First graduating class under state support receives Bachelor of Science degrees in education
1956 Renamed Jackson State College
1974 Renamed Jackson State University®
1979 Designated Mississippi’s Urban University by the state Institutions of Higher Learning
1990S Schools of Social Work, Engineering, and Allied Health Sciences introduced; School of Business accredited; Public Policy and Administration master’s program elevated to departmental status, making it the only such department in Mississippi. Infrastructure growth includes the $13.5 million renovation of the H.T. Sampson Library, the $2 million restoration of historic Ayer Hall, and construction to house the School of Liberal Arts
1999 Landmark Jackson Heart Study, largest investigation of cardiovascular disease among African Americans, begins. Initially funded through a $12.9 million research grant, it receives an additional $54 million in 2005
The New Millennium 2000 - 2004
JSU designated as a Doctoral Research University
University’s eight schools organized into five colleges: Business; Education and Human Development; Liberal Arts; Public Service; and Science, Engineering and Technology; School of Public Health; and JSU Online
The Mississippi Learning Institute, a city-state partnership with an emphasis on math and reading was created Mississippi e-Center @JSU, a technological hub for corporate, community and academic advancement established; housed in a $20 million facility acquired from Allstate Corporation for $3 million $200 million in construction: College of Liberal Arts, College of Business, Walter Payton Recreation and Wellness Center, Student Center, School of Engineering; new Residence Halls and Apartments and the renovation of the Gibbs-Green Pedestrian Walkway connecting the campus and Downtown Jackson
2005 JSU designated a Research University with high research activity
2010 Civil Rights Corridor established along John R. Lynch Street featuring the historic COFO Education Center and the opening of the retail and residential development of One University Place
2013 Innovate opened at H.T. Sampson Library
2014 Create, Digital Intellectual Commons, opened at H.T. Sampson Library
2015 Classification changed to Doctoral University with higher research activity
2015 JSU 101 Building opened in Downtown Jackson
2015 University Pointe opened as a new student residence hall
2015 Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Institutional Partnership established
2015 Started Phase II of School of Engineering Building
2015 First Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the state of Mississippi to open a School of Journalism and Media Studies (now Department of Journalism and Media Studies in the College of Liberal Arts) established (nationally, at the time, one of the seven HBCUs Schools of Journalism and Media Studies)
2015 The Circle of Humanity symbolized by flags representing each country that has a student at JSU
2016 The National Research Council ranked the University among the Top 20 Institutions in the World conferring doctoral degrees to African-Americans
2016 The University ranked 7th in conferring doctoral degrees in education and 9th in conferring doctoral degrees in all disciplines combined, all to African-American degree holders
2017 The Council on Education for Public Health approved the School of Public Health Initiative application to transition from a program to a school. The first and only school developed in the State of Mississippi at a Historically Black College or University
2018 JSU School of Public Health received CEPH accreditation offering the first MPH and DrPH as an accredited school, the first in the State of Mississippi and at an HBCU
2018 JSU becomes nation’s first HBCU to enter into a mentor-protégé agreement under NASA’s Shared Services Center that provides JSU with training and tools to become a major business contractor.
2018 JSU was ranked third nationally in awarding the most doctorates to African-Americans
2021 Jackson State University is the first HBCU to launch a Financial Wellness Center, in partnership with Wells Fargo and the Society of Financial Education and Professional Development.
2021 JSU received the successful decennial review of its regional accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
2021 JSU is awarded an $11.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health-National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities to study minority health and health disparities.
2022 JSU receives two National Park Services grants totaling $650K for the preservation of Ayer Hall and the Council of Federated Organizations (COFO) Center.
2022 JSU partners with Microsoft TechSpark Initiative to expand cybersecurity readiness program.
2023 Jackson State University and Jackson Public School District partner with the Jackson Middle College (JMC) Program. The JMC is a dual enrollment program birthed by the collaboration between JSU and JPS faculty and administrations. High school students will specialize in mathematics education to address the need for math teachers and educators in JPS.
2023 Jackson State University, in partnership with ERDCWERX, kicks off its Technology Commercialization Fellowship Program, a pilot initiative designed for recent college and university graduates to gain experience in patent licensing and technology transfer.
2024 The College of Health Sciences at Jackson State University (JSU) launched the Wellness on Wheels mobile lab, a state-of-the-art unit, to reduce health disparities in Mississippi by delivering critical services – including speech, language, hearing and public health screenings – directly to residents.
2025 Jackson State University awarded its first bachelor’s degrees in public health and supply chain management.
JSU PRESIDENTS
1877 - 1894: Dr. Charles Ayer
1894 - 1911: Dr. Luther G. Barrett
1911 - 1927: Dr. Zachary T. Hubert
1927 - 1940: Dr. B. Baldwin Dansby
1940 - 1967: Dr. Jacob L. Reddix
1967 - 1984: Dr. John A. Peoples, Jr.
1984 - 1991: Dr. James A. Hefner
1991 - 1992: Dr. Herman B. Smith, Jr. (interim)
1992 - 1999: Dr. James E. Lyons, Sr.
1999 - 2000: Dr. Bettye Ward Fletcher (interim)
2000 - 2010: Mr. Ronald Mason, Jr., J.D.
2010: Dr. Leslie Burl McLemore (interim)
2011 - 2016: Dr. Carolyn W. Meyers
2016 - 2017: Dr. Rod Paige (interim)
2017 - 2020: Dr. William B. Bynum, Jr.
2020 - 2023: Mr. Thomas K. Hudson, J.D.
2023: Dr. Elayne Hayes-Anthony (acting)
2023 - 2025: Dr. Marcus L. Thompson
2025-present : Dr. Denise J. Gregory
2026 fall faculty and staff seminar
PROGRAM - day one
7:45 a.m. - 8:15 a.m.
august 3, 2026
Preselfannie W. McDaniels, Ph.D., Presiding Provost and Vice President Division of Academic Affairs
. .Opening Entertainment and Breakfast Rob Jay and DJ Rafe
Greetings.
General Assembly
8:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
Dr. Jennifer Young-Wallace President, Faculty Senate
Dr. La’Tonia Harper President, Staff Senate
Dr. Preselfannie W. McDaniels Provost, Vice President of Academic Affairs
Introduction of President Dr. Preselfannie W. McDaniels
State of the University Address
. Dr. Denise J. Gregory President
Vice Presidents Update Panel . Dr. Denise J. Gregory
Dismissal
Transition to Workshops 10:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Concurrent Workshops 10:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Dr. Preselfannie W. McDaniels
instructions:
During the 10:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. time block, participants are asked to attend two sessions, selecting one session from each of the following time slots:
• Session 1: 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
• Session 2: 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Please review the schedule and choose the two sessions that best align with your interests and professional development goals.
Workshop Sessions #1
10:30 am - 11:30 am
Minutes Matter: Essential Protocol for Students, Seizures and Severe Allergies
Innovating for Impact: Winning AI Concepts from the JSU Community
Dr. Tiffany C. Smith
NSP, APRN, FNP-C, MHFA, and CPSSP-S in collaboration with the Accessible Education and Resource Center
Dr. Carmen Wright
Prof. Laura Miller
Dr. Craig Meyer
Dr. Warren Brown
Dr. Brittany Myburgh
Mr. Terry Haygood
Ms. Dakota Price
Dr. Alisa Mosley, Moderator
Dr. Loretta Moore, Moderator
Dr. Deborah Dent, Moderator
Engineering Building Auditorium Room 100
Research Policy Essentials: What JSU Investigators Need to Know
Dr. Almesha Campbell
Dr. Katina Stapleton
Dr. Michael Gates
Note: Please remember to complete the survey to provide feedback on the workshops that you attend.
John A. Peoples Building Lecture Room 204
Dr. Jacqueline Stevens
Dr. Kejun Wen
John A. Peoples Building Lecture Room 209
Dr. Glake Hill
Innovative Ideas from the Staff Leadership Institute Cohort
Stepping into the Future Together: BannerSaaS and the New Campus
Alexis Austin, Ashlee Gray, Patrice Jones, Veronica Simmons, Doriecia Washington, Charlotte Brent, Ketina Moore, LaMarsha Lewis, Sanchita Kundu, Helean Hawkins, LaCurtis Powell, Tershuna Bass, JaLieya Brown, Dr. Arianna Stokes, Taylor Jeanlewis, Jasmine Harrison, Stephanie Turner, Jessica Seaton, Kenya Dotson Dr. La’Tonia Harper, Moderator
Note: Please remember to complete the
F.D. Hall Music Center Recital Hall
Dr. Shanna Smith
Dr. Gregory Anderson
Engineering Building Room 100
Dr. Yalanda Barner
Dr. Pharen Nelson-Jones Dr. Arron Richardson
John A. Peoples Building Lecture Room 204
Dr. Monica Flippin Wynn
LaShundra Jackson-Winters Bryant Guy
John A. Peoples Building Lecture Room 209
Dr. Daphne Chamberlain
Jennifer Steele Wilson Kristy Williams
F.D. Hall Music Center Recital Hall
Dr. Ramon Jackson
Division Meetings 2:45 p.m.- 3:45 p.m.
AREA
Office of the President
Academic Affairs
General Counsel
Information Technology
Athletics
Institutional Advancement and External Affairs
Campus Operations
Business & Finance
Research and Economic Development
University Communications
Student Affairs & Enrollment Management
VICE
PRESIDENTS/DEANS
Dr. Denise J. Gregory
Dr. Preselfannie McDaniels
MEETING LOCATION
9th Floor Conference Room
Dollye M.E. Robinson Liberal Arts Building Rooms 166 & 266
Mrs. Onetta Starling Whitley, J.D. H.T. Sampson Library Auditorium
Dr. Deborah Dent
Mr. Ashley Robinson
Ms. Sloan Cargill
Dr. Vance Siggers
Mr. Howard Brown, Jr.
Dr. Almesha Campbell
Dr. Tangelia Kelly
Dr. Jonas Vanderbilt
College of Science, Engineering and Technology Auditorium Room 100
Student Center
Terry L. Woodard Ballrooms A and B
Student Center Room 3241
Dollye M.E. Robinson Liberal Arts Building Room 146
College of Business Auditorium Room 134
Student Center Theater 2200
Student Center
Senate Chamber Room 3250
N/A
CSET Atrium Reception 3:45 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
2026 fall faculty and staff seminar PROGRAM - day two august 4, 2026
8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
10:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
11:45 a.m.
.Academic College Meetings
Academic Department Meetings Department Chairs will communicate locations
Lunch on Your Own
college Meetings
8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
COLLEGE DEANS MEETING LOCATION
Business
Education and Human Development
Health Sciences
Liberal Arts
Science, Engineering and Technology
Dr. Nicholas Hill
Dr. Tony Latiker
Dr. Ramzi Kafoury (Interim)
Dr. Rico Chapman
Dr. Wilbur Walters, Jr.
Meetings of the Academic Departments and Units 10:15 a.m. - 11:45 p.m.
College of Business Drs. Winston and Alma Pittman Auditorium
College of Education and Human Development Building Room 100
Jackson Medical Mall
College of Health Sciences Lecture Hall
College of Liberal Arts Room 266
Engineering Building Auditorium
NOTE: Each Unit Leader will disseminate the location prior to the meeting.
UNIT
FACILITATOR
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
Department of Accounting, Finance and Entrepreneurship
Department of Business Administration
Dr. Bobbie Daniels Department Chair
Mrs. Saundra McFarland, J.D. Department Chair
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Department of Educational Administration, Foundations, and Research
Department of Elementary and Early Childhood Education
Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation
Department of Counseling, Rehabilitation and Psychometric Services
Department of Education, Multicultural, and Exceptional Studies
Mississippi Urban Research Center
School of Lifelong Learning
Executive Ph.D. in Urban Higher Education
Dr. Albert Carter Department Chair
Dr. Stephanie Davidson Department Chair
Dr. James Robinson Department Chair
Dr. Dion Porter Department Chair
Dr. Dennis Williams Interim Department Chair
Dr. Sam Mozee Executive Director
Dr. Jie Ke Interim Director
Dr. Walter Brown
Executive Director
NOTE: Each Unit Leader will disseminate the location prior to the meeting.
UNIT
FACILITATOR
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES
Department of Behavioral and Environmental Health
Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Department of Health Policy and Management/ Healthcare Administration
School of Social Work
UNIT
Department of Art
Dr. Ramzi Kafoury Interim Department Chair
Dr. Whitney Perkins Department Chair
Dr. Marinelle Payton Department Chair
Dr. Yalanda Barner Interim Department Chair
Dr. Tyriesa Howard MSW Program Director
Dr. Candace Riddley Interim BSW Program Director
FACILITATOR
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS
Department of Criminal Justice and Sociology
Department of English and Modern Languages
The Richard Wright Center
Department of History and Philosophy
Department of Journalism and Media Studies
Department of Music
Department of Political Science
Department of Psychology
Margaret Walker Alexander National Research Center and COFO
Department of Public Policy and Administration
Department of Military Science
Department of Speech Communication and Theatre
Mr. Mark Geil Department Chair
Dr. Thomas Kersen Interim Department Chair
Dr. Ebony Lumumba Department Chair
Dr. Daphne Chamberlain Department Chair
Dr. Monica Flippin Wynn Interim Department Chair
Dr. Lisa Beckley-Roberts Department Chair
Dr. Maruice Mangum Department Chair
Dr. Kaye Sly Interim Department Chair
Dr. Robert Luckett Director
Dr. Gloria Billingsley Department Chair
Major Justin Smith Department Chair
Dr. Mark Henderson Department Chair
UNIT
FACILITATOR
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, AND TECHNOLOGY
Department of Aerospace Science
Department of Biology
Department of Chemistry, Physics, and Atmospheric Science
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Industrial Systems, and Technology
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Computer Science
Department of Mathematics and Statistical Science
Department of Urban and Regional Planning
Lt. Col. Michael Palmore Department Chair
Dr. Jacqueline Stevens Interim Department Chair
Dr. Glake Hill Interim Department Chair
Dr. Kejun Wen Interim Department Chair
Dr. Ali Humos Interim Department Chair
Dr. Tor Kwembe Department Chair
Dr. Berneece S. Herbert Department Chair
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
Academic Success
University Libraries
Institutional Research, Planning, and Effectiveness
JSUOnline
Division of Graduate Studies
TRIO
Dr. Kristina Phillips Executive Director of Academic Success
Ms. Erica Hopkins-Magee Interim Executive Director of Library Services
Dr. LaToya Hart Associate Vice President
Ms. Tershuna Bass Executive Director
Dr. Carlos Wilson Dean
RESEARCH AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Dr. Gilda Robinson
Dr. Susan Powell
Ms. Tara Johnson Executive Directors
Lunch on Your Own 11:45 a.m.
NEW FACULTY AND ADMINISTRATORS ORIENTATION
H.T. Sampson Library Auditorium 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Hosted by Academic Affairs
2026 fall faculty and staff seminar Committee
Gregory Anderson
Tershuna Bass
Lisa Beckley-Roberts
Jerrica Frierson Davis
William T. Davis
Monica Flippin Wynn
Alla Frank
La`Tonia Fulton-Harper
Sedric Hudson
Jacqueline Jackson
Preselfannie McDaniels, co-chair
Emily Moses, co-chair
Brandi Newkirk-Turner, co-chair
Pervis Parker
Whitney Perkins
Becky Pierson
Arron Richardson
Kentrice Rush
Kelli Sharpe
Rosalind Shaw
Jonathan Smith
Rashell Smith-Spears
Jennifer Steele
Arianna Stokes
Jonas Vanderbilt
Jennifer Wallace
Deborah Washington
Deidre Wheaton
Scottie Willis
Carol Woodson, co-chair
Scan the QR Code to fill out the breakout and general sessions survey.
breakout sessions & General Sessions: tell us what you think of the sessions:
NOTES:
Volunteer to Help on Move-In Day:
The Fall 2026 Move-In Day Committee is seeking volunteers to assist on Friday, August 7, as we welcome back our returning students!
As a part of the Move-In Day Volunteer Team, you’ll help greet students and their families, answer questions and make sure they’re excited to continue their journey at THEE.
There are a variety of volunteer shifts available. Just scan the QR code to register!
Your participation will help make this year’s move-in day activities a welcoming and memorable beginning to the Fall 2026 semester.