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Cameron Adams
Marcus L. Thompson has been selected to lead TheeILove Jackson State University. The highly anticipated announcement of the permanent president was released on Nov. 16, 2023 right before the fall break.
The statement from the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning in its entirety is below.
The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning completed its search for the 13th President of Jackson State University by voting to name Dr. Marcus L. Thompson as President during its meeting held today in Jackson.
Dr. Thompson has more than 20 years of leadership experience in early childhood, K-12 education, and higher education. Thompson serves as the Deputy Commissioner and Chief Administrative Officer of the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL), Mississippi’s public university system, where for over a decade he has been responsible for overseeing IHL staff. In this role, all senior-level leaders report to him, and he manages all facets of day-to-day operations of the agency, including IHL Board relations, communications, legislation, technology, data management, and facilities.
“The Board selected a leader who knows the unique historic importance of the university who will articulate a bold vision for the future and will be indefatigable in the pursuit of excellence for Jackson State University,” said Trustee Dr. Steven Cunningham, chair of the Board Search Committee.
Thompson serves as a liaison between the IHL Commissioner’s Office; the IHL Board of Trustees; and Mississippi’s eight public universities – Alcorn State University, Delta State University, Jackson State University, Mississippi State University, Mississippi University for Women, Mississippi Valley State University, the University of Mississippi, and the University of Southern Mississippi. Over the past 15 years in higher education, Marcus has advised the IHL Board of Trustees, the IHL Commissioner, and Mississippi’s public university senior leadership and institutional executive officers.
“I’m very honored to be named President of Jackson State University because I believe in its mission, purpose and most of all, the outstanding faculty, staff, alumni and students who embody our school’s motto of challenging minds, changing lives,” said Dr. Marcus L. Thompson. “I look forward to working closely with all of them to develop a consensus about strategic goals and objectives we can achieve by working together.”
“I can’t think of a leader in Mississippi who has invested more time and thought regarding the issues at Jackson State than my friend Marcus Thompson,” said Dr. Rod Paige, former U.S. Secretary of Education and former interim president at Jackson State University. “He is one of the only people I can think of who has a full comprehension of the history, trajectory, strength, vulnerabilities and basic needs of the university. I cannot think of an individual who could be more involved and have more connections with the people pertinent to the university than him. I think IHL has made a wise choice in making Marcus Thompson president, and I’m very proud that he will take advantage of this opportunity.”
As Deputy Commissioner and Chief Administrative Officer, Thompson led the formation of the IHL ADA/Accessibility Services Task Force which was launched to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal opportunities to thrive within the university system. The task force includes representatives from the eight public universities, the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration and the IHL System Office.
Thompson also leads the IHL Board of Trustees’ efforts to encourage diverse campus environments and to ensure that all aspects of institutional practice affirm the IHL Board’s commitment to access and success, with particular attention to heightening participation and achievement of underrepresented individuals.
Thompson is a former educator and administrator, serving private schools and public schools in the Jackson Public School District and the Copiah County School District, where he enjoyed and excelled at one-on-one student interactions the classroom provided. He has held endorsements to teach elementary education and licenses to teach English, history, mathematics, and Spanish. He ultimately left the classroom and joined the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) to have a broader impact on students across the state. At MDE, he became Chief of Staff and Assistant to the State Superintendent of Education.
“We are appreciative of the time and energy the IHL Board and search committee put into this presidential search,” said Patrease Edwards, President of the Jackson State University National Alumni Association. “The JSUNAA will support Dr. Thompson and his administration. We are hopeful that he will be a capable administrator with the ability to bring stakeholders together to achieve common goals. His leadership and vision to secure resources, philanthropic support and business partnerships for JSU will be key and a catalyst for the growth and continued success of the university.”
Thompson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and Spanish and a Master’s degree in Education from Mississippi College. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Jackson State University in urban higher education. Thompson is married to LaToya Redd Thompson, a practicing attorney. They are the proud parents of Kaelyn, Jessica, and Marcus, Jr.
“Marcus Thompson has a deep understanding of the vital role HBCUs play in higher education,” said Senator Sollie Norwood. “His proven leadership will serve him well in taking Jackson State University to new heights.”
Thompson’s appointment as the 13th President of Jackson State University will be effective November 27, 2023. A welcome reception to introduce Dr. Thompson to the campus will be scheduled at a later date.
Elayne H. Anthony, Ph.D., who led the university as acting president during the search released the following statement via email on Nov. 22.
The statement in its entirety read:
The Thanksgiving Holiday marks a pivotal moment when we all prepare to spend time with family and friends. Serving as your acting president during this paramount period in Jackson State University’s history has been an honor and a privilege.
As I reflect on my time in office, I am filled with gratitude for the unwavering support of the JSU family. We have achieved incredible academic and financial milestones in the past nine months together. I am immensely proud of our progress, the unity we have fostered, and the strides we have taken toward a brighter future for our talented students.
Leadership is not a solitary journey. It is a collaborative effort rooted in the collective aspirations of a community. I want to extend profound gratitude to my dedicated cabinet, faculty, staff, and students whose diligence and unwavering belief in our vision have been the cornerstone of our accomplishments.
My love for our great institution will forever guide my thoughts and actions. I extend my heartfelt appreciation to every member of this esteemed family for your trust in me this year.
One of the greatest honors of my life was serving as your acting president. Let us continue to move forward, united in our pursuit of a stronger and more prosperous JSU.
With Tiger Pride, Dr. Elayne H. Anthony, Acting President
One student interviewed was pleased with the accomplishments of Acting President Anthony.
“I think that’s we should have kept Dr. Anthony,” said Jaidyn Thomas, a senior computer science major from Dallas, Texas. “She was for the students and by the students. Granted she may have been a bit older but she grew up in Jackson, graduated from JSU and understood the students to a different degree.”
Thomas added: “I feel that if we had to bring in a new president, then they need some sort of experience of being from an HBCU or at least some background in Jackson at least.”
Myia Henton, a junior psychology major from Ocean Springs, Miss., agreed with Thomas.
“I personally feel like they should’ve kept Dr. Anthony because she was really and truly the only president that I’ve seen who has gotten things that the students complained about done or started in motion, and she really was for the students and not for the money or the position,” said Henton.
During his first day as President of Jackson State, Thompson was highly visible on the campus and took many opportunities to meet and speak with students. He released this statement Monday afternoon.
Dear Fellow Jacksonians,
I am honored to assume the role of the 13th president of Jackson State University. The support extended by our dedicated faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends has been humbling and inspiring. Your prayers and well wishes will accompany me as we work together to continue elevating the legacy of this renowned research institution. I recognize that Jackson State’s legacy is bigger than me or any one individual that may hold this title; and l am excited about the journey ahead to serve each of you and our beloved institution. I am committed to leveraging every resource I have for the betterment of Thee I Love.
As deputy commissioner and chief administrative officer of the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning, I worked closely with Jackson State University’s esteemed administrators and faculty. The research, academic, and corporate opportunities JSU attracts in support of our students is why JSU is well-positioned to be the vanguard of urban research and student success in the 21st century. Together, I look forward to enhancing our efforts to attract the world’s most astute students and faculty to join us as we position JSU to achieve new heights.
Today, I had the opportunity to have lunch with students at the Legacy Café and chat with a group of high school students visiting from Colorado. The academic success of our students is the reason why I accepted this calling. Additionally, I am eager to engage with as many of you as possible in the forthcoming weeks. Your insights and perspectives are invaluable as we navigate all that lies ahead for Jackson State University. Through our collective efforts, we shall foster an environment of collaboration, impacting not only the city of Jackson and the state of Mississippi but also the global community.
In Tiger Service, Marcus L. Thompson, Ph.D. President of Jackson State University
Ohmaree Douglass hopes President Thompson’s administration interacts with the students.
“I expect for President Thompson to continue the new found positivity that our acting president had. She kind of put a new perspective on what a president is, in regards to how she interacted with the student body,” Douglass said.
He added: “Speaking from Class of ‘25, we didn’t have much interaction with our former president. Dr. Anthony stepped in and showed us what a president can be. Hopefully with our new president, he continues to have a good relationship with us, as well as provides us with what we need, including resources for Jackson State to move forward.”
Brittany Taplin, senior marketing major from Byram, Miss., also wants the new president to keep the students first.
“Since transferring to Jackson State University, there has been a new president each year I have attended. I hope to see consistency from the new president and Jackson State as a whole,” said Taplin. “I support the new president decision, as long as he has the students health and safety in mind in every decision he makes.”
