Jackson State University pursues top research status

Jackson State University is striving to achieve top research status, aiming to attract highly qualified faculty and students, secure larger federal grants, and boost its national reputation. The institution's efforts include developing innovative research projects, such as the creation of tiny sensors attached to oyster shells to monitor environmental changes. This marine research project, part of the Mississippi Based RESTORE Act Center of Excellence, is one of 400 initiatives at Jackson State.

The university's pursuit of excellence in research is further exemplified by its involvement in the Association of HBCU Research Institutions, a coalition of 14 historically Black colleges and universities formed to help HBCUs compete for larger grants and expand their programs. Membership in the coalition provides access to resources and support from top research universities, including Harvard University.

To achieve the Carnegie Classification benchmark of $50 million annually in research and development, Jackson State must secure additional funding from private industry partnerships. Currently, the university spends approximately $19.5 million annually on research and development, with key areas of focus including cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, health disparities, materials science, and civil engineering.

The university is on track to meet one of the Carnegie benchmarks, awarding nearly 68 doctoral degrees annually, close to the required 70 research doctorates. The College of Education and Human Development leads in doctoral program production, awarding more doctorates than other programs at JSU. The university's internal quality assurance committee ensures the rigor and quality of doctoral programs and student research.