JACKSON, Miss.—Jackson State University President Dr. Marcus Thompson entered the third-floor student ballroom of the Student Union and shook hands with most of the roughly 50 people gathered for his first press conference as the new leader of Mississippi’s largest historically Black university on Thursday.
He told supporters that his administration will focus on building bridges, accountability, customer care and financial sustainability.
“I want to say our students are my priority and will be the North Star of my administration,” he said.
The day marked Thompson’s fourth on campus. He said he had spent the first few days in student spaces talking to and eating with them as he took stock of problems facing the university and how to solve them.
“They are very smart, and they’ve given me a lot of solutions in many areas to some of the challenges that we have,” he told those gathered. “But that’s one of the things I really want to do … I plan to spend a lot of time doing active listening, listening to our stakeholders.”
Thompson said he is focused on improving campus safety and that he and JSU Chief of Police Herman Horton have already begun discussing necessary changes, including adding cameras around the campus and hiring a new campus security officer. He also plans to move into the president’s home to fully experience campus life.
“It’s important for me to have first-hand knowledge of what our students are experiencing as campus residents,” he said. “We’re going to be neighbors with our students, and I try to run a few miles a day, so I’ll plan to get out and jog around the campus inspecting grounds as I go. This campus is my home, too, and I want everyone to feel safe day and night.”
The recent appointment has drawn mixed reactions. Many have felt that the process lacked transparency and thoroughness. Thompson was serving as IHL’s deputy commissioner and chief administrative officer when the board selected him. In his speech, he expressed his gratitude to those who hired him.
“I’d like to thank the Board of Trustees of
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