Jackson State University

Jackson State University
Former name
Natchez Seminary
(1877–1883)
Jackson College
(1883–1940)
Mississippi Negro Training School
(1940–1944)
Jackson College for Negro Teachers
(1944–1967)
Jackson State College
(1967–1974)
MottoExcellentia academia investigatio et officium (Latin)
Motto in English
"Academic excellence in research and service"
TypePublic historically black research university
EstablishedOctober 23, 1877 (1877-10-23)
Parent institution
Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning
AccreditationSACS
Academic affiliations
Endowment$60 million (2019)
PresidentDenise Jones Gregory (interim)
Academic staff
337 full time, 212 part time (fall 2022)
Administrative staff
687 (fall 2020)
Students6,564 (fall 2023)
Undergraduates4,769 (fall 2023)
Postgraduates1,795 (fall 2023)
Location, ,
United States

32°17′46″N 090°12′28″W / 32.29611°N 90.20778°W / 32.29611; -90.20778
CampusMidsize city, 220 acres (0.89 km2)
NewspaperThe Blue & White Flash
ColorsNavy blue and white
   
NicknameTigers
Sporting affiliations
NCAA Division I FCSSWAC
MascotBengal Tiger
Websitejsums.edu

Jackson State University (Jackson State or JSU) is a public historically black research university in Jackson, Mississippi. It is a member of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity".

Jackson State University's athletic teams, the Tigers, participate in NCAA Division I athletics as a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). Jackson State is also the home of the Sonic Boom of the South, a marching band founded in the 1940s. Their accompanying danceline, the Prancing J-Settes, are well known for their unique style of dance, known as J-Setting.