In response to growing calls from Jackson State University (JSU) faculty, alumni, and community stakeholders for greater transparency in selecting a new president, the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) board has approved the creation of a Search Advisory Constituency to assist with the process.
“This will serve as one of many avenues for the board to receive stakeholder input during the presidential search,” said Dr. Steve Cunningham, IHL vice president, during Thursday’s meeting.
A Step Toward Inclusion and Openness
Cunningham and IHL board president Gee Ogletree will draft a proposed list of individuals connected with JSU to serve on the advisory group. The list is expected to be presented for full board approval as early as November 20.
“This is the first time our board has done this in a long time, because we have heard from many people asking us to broaden this process — and we are listening,” Ogletree said.
The move follows months of advocacy from JSU supporters who have urged a more open and inclusive search following the departure of the university’s previous president.
National Firm to Lead Presidential Search
The IHL board also confirmed the hiring of AGB Search LLC, a Washington, D.C.–based executive search firm founded by the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, to conduct a nationwide search for Jackson State’s next president.
AGB representatives Dr. Kim Bobby (Principal) and Dr. Carlton Brown (Senior Executive Search Consultant) outlined the search process during Thursday’s teleconference.
Brown emphasized the importance of confidentiality to ensure top-tier candidates remain engaged.
“If it is not, you will lose your best applicants as you go forward,” he cautioned.
Bobby added that the firm will conduct the search with “due diligence” and thorough candidate vetting.
“We want to see candidates doing the work that JSU needs them to do,” Bobby said.
Once finalists are identified, each will interview individually with the IHL board before a final selection is made. Bobby noted that AGB will continue to assist the chosen candidate during the transition phase to ensure a strong start to their presidency.
Cunningham reaffirmed the board’s dedication to the process:
“I can assure you the board is committed. We look forward to finding the best possible candidate to lead JSU. The university has a rich history and a bright future.”
Alumni Reactions and Questions
Among those observing the meeting was Mark Dawson, a member of Thee 1877 Project, an independent JSU alumni group.
Dawson praised the decision to conduct a national search:
“It is good to have a national search, because Jackson State is a national HBCU,” he said.
However, he questioned how much authority the Search Advisory Constituency would hold.
“Will the group have a determining stake, and will the board of trustees follow their recommendations? That’s important.”
Additional Updates from the IHL Board Meeting
- Campus Safety:
Board president Ogletree addressed recent violence during Jackson State and Alcorn State homecoming events, including fatalities and injuries. “The loss of life at Alcorn State weighs on us all,” Ogletree said. He commended campus law enforcement and offered condolences to the victims’ families. - Mississippi Valley State University Report:
President Dr. Jerryl Briggs described MVSU as “a beacon of opportunity deeply woven into the fabric of the Mississippi Delta,” noting that 75% of students come from the region. Briggs highlighted the university’s community service requirement (60 hours per student) and growing partnerships with major corporations. “This is our 75th anniversary, and MVSU remains a place where dreams are nurtured,” Briggs said. - Program Changes Across the IHL System:
Trustees approved a new Master of Science in Air and Space Law at the University of Mississippi, while suspending several programs due to low enrollment.- At UM Medical Center, the Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics and Information Management will end after current students graduate.
- At Jackson State, three programs — B.S. in Mathematics Education, M.A. in English, and M.S. in Education and Special Education — were placed on a “Continue with Stipulation” list, meaning they will undergo review next year to determine their long-term viability.
