JSU celebrates 50 years of excellence in advancing careers in public policy

By Jackie L. Williams, Ph.D.

JA Guest Writer

On October 10, 2025, Jackson State University’s Department of Public Policy and Ad- ministration students, alumni,  faculty, staff, and administrators were joined by elected officials, nonprofit, and corporate sector leaders to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Master of Public  Policy and Administration  (MPPA) Program and the Department of Public Policy and  Administration (DPPA) at the downtown Jackson campus.  

Kicking off this academic year celebration, the  Homecoming reception was a toast to the theme – Roots and Reach: Honoring Our Past, Embracing Our Future. Jazz artists and MPPA and Ph.D. graduate Dr. Pam Confer Band provided a memorable performance, honoring the contributions of individuals whose efforts have been instrumental to the success of the program.

“We have produced graduates who have made a significant impact in the public policy and administration arena as a college president, mayors, city managers, federal administrators, policy analysts, state and local elected officials, nonprofit executives, and community leaders,” said Dr. Curtina Moreland-Young, founding Chair of the Department of Public Policy and Administration.

Founded in 1975 as part of the Department of Political Science, the Program received accreditation in 1978 and ultimately inspired the establishment of the Department of Public Policy and Administration in 1989. As the longest continuously accredited program and one of the first two among Historically Black Colleges and Universities, the Master of Public Policy and Administration Program stands as a testament to JSU’s commitment to excellence. In 1992, JSU further expanded its academic offerings with the introduction of the Ph.D. in Public Administration  Program.

The Department has a strong record of producing students who have been selected as presidential personnel scholars and who have successfully competed for internships with organizations such as the Congressional Women’s Political Caucus, the District of Columbia, and the State of New York, among others. Additionally, the Department has established partnerships with a diverse range of entities, including the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Kettering Foundation, the Kellogg Foundation, the Lilly Foundation, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Environmental Protection Agency. These collaborations have resulted in fellowships and other forms of financial assistance for JSU students.

In terms of trailblazing leadership, in the 1990s, Dr. Moreland-Young achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first individual from a Historically Black College and University to serve on the executive board of the National Association of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration. She also distinguished herself as the first African American to hold a position on the Commission on Peer Review and Accreditation. Through Dr. Moreland-Young’s leadership, Jackson State University earned the distinction of being the first HBCU represented on this influential board.

Continuing this legacy of leadership, last year Dr. Gloria Billingsley, Chair of the Department of Public Policy and Administration, became the first African American from an HBCU to serve as Chair of the Commission on Peer Review and Accreditation. Her appointment marked a significant moment, bringing full circle the university’s enduring contributions to both the major association and its accrediting body within the discipline of public policy and administration.

As a result of academic excellence, the Department of Public Policy and Administration has more than 600 alumni serving in leadership positions across education, government, nonprofits, in local, state, national, and global communities. The Department’s commitment to academic rigor and professional development has fostered a vibrant learning environment that equips students to address complex policy challenges. Through innovative curricula and engaged faculty mentorship, the program continues to shape future leaders who make meaningful impacts in public service. 

“Because an accredited MPPA program is the crucial foundation upon which any quality Department of Public Policy and Administration rest upon, this 50th anniversary celebration of the MPPA program is a major milestone,” said Dr. Billingsley.

The 50th Anniversary celebration of the MPPA program and the Department continues during the Spring semester with a formal program and gala which is slated for Friday, April 10, 2026.

(Photo: Charles Smith, JSU Photographer)