OPINION: Poor choices, rapid exits of JSU presidents led to increased activism among alumni

Since January 2000, Jackson State University (JSU) has had nine different presidents. That averages more than one every three years. Of the nine individuals, three were interim presidents, making it a different person every four years. On the other hand, if the 10 years of Ronald Mason’s presidency are omitted, four permanent presidents have together served only 13 years. In short, there has been a great deal of turn-over and instability.

That fact has not been lost on conscientious and observing alumni nor supporters of JSU. In fact, it has led to the creation of one organization, Thee 1877 Project, and the revival of another, the Mississippi Coalition on Black Higher Education, which began as the Black Mississippi Council on Higher Education.

JSU alumnus Mark Dawson, serving as Chairman of Thee 1877 Project, authored an excellent article entitled, “Thee 1877 Project and its work”. This article spells out that organization’s position on the rapid presidential turn-overs and the role of the college board in the bad choices.

In launching its advocacy campaign, Thee 1877 Project indicates it does not plan to endorse particular individuals as presidential candidates. Instead, it calls upon Mississippi’s Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) to “be transparent and inclusive of students, faculty, and alums in the search, vetting, and appointment process” in the future.

In demonstrating its deep concern regarding the matter of presidential appointments going forward, Project members demand IHL “be accountable for this series of failed leadership appointments, to commit to a thorough and robust national search process for a new leader.”

This group also turns to fellow alumni to join with them in the call, advising that “Unity, self-determination, collective work, and responsibility will push us forward.” As they “up the ante,” in the activism, Thee 1877 Project members ask others to: 

(1) Join us and hundreds of other alumni by adding your name and voice to our petition found on our website at www.thee1877project.org.

(2) Join us in Jackson and on-line for the August 21, 2025, IHL meeting.

(3) Participate in our upcoming survey, where you can share your thoughts on the essentials for the 14th president of Jackson State University.

As Thee 1877 Project was publicizing its plans and its works, the Mississippi Coalition on Black Higher Education, which had been dormant since the final implementation of the Ayers Settlement, saw a need to revive its activities.

In its statement of revival, the Coalition informed its audience it had begun its mission during the days of the Ayers litigation and its mission was to advance the cause of Alcorn State University, Jackson State University, and Mississippi Valley State University. Because of its awareness of Thee 1877 Project and its work, the Coalition pledged to join forces with the Project.

Because it had been some time since its intensive work vis a vis the college board, in its letter to IHL, the Coalition re-stated its key objectives this time around. Those objectives include:

(1) Equitable Public Funding, that is, the engagement of policymakers to increase baseline and supplemental funding for Mississippi’s HBCUs;

(2) Academic and Operational Capacity Building, that is increased funding for faculty development, research growth, infrastructure modernization, and student support services;

(3) Cultural Preservation and Celebration, which includes honoring the heritage of the HBCUs and spotlighting their evolving contributions to American life;

(4) Strategic Collaboration with like-minded groups and organizations for HBCU advancement;

(5) Comprehensive, equitable Curriculum Development, that is, equitable and equal curriculum and program development, with the requisite funding for the same; and

(6) Selection of University Presidents, to include full involvement in searches for, vetting of and selection of the university presidents.

The Coalition also let it be known it is open to students, employees, and alumni of Mississippi’s HBCUs as well as others who are friends of Black higher education.

It is not ironic that these two organizations have increased their activism in the wake of three clearly disastrous leadership experiences at JSU, and even more, if one goes back to the ousting of John Peoples in 1984. There appears to many listeners willing to follow the lead of these two organizations. What has been felt by many is the botched and unstable conditions have been more intentional than coincidental. That has not set well with persons believing in and concerned about the education of Black people.