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The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning has placed Jackson State University (JSU) President Thomas Hudson on administrative leave with pay, effective immediately.
President Thomas Hudson
In January, Hudson received a “no confidence” vote after a committee determined Hudson and his leadership had exhibited “a continuous pattern of failing to respect shared governance, transparency, accountability, and have worked outside of professional norms that have broad implications for the campus climate, the reputation of Jackson State University, and the university’s commitment both to providing a high-quality education and to carrying out its mission of a commitment to excellence. The faculty senate remains intent to advance the concerns of the faculty and expresses a continued willingness to engage in any forum to yield remedy to the issues shared by its body.”
Dr. Elayne Hayes-Anthony, chair of the JSU department of journalism and media studies, has been named temporary acting president, effective immediately.
Hayes-Anthony was previously communications professor and chair of the department of communications at Belhaven University; assistant superintendent of public information for the Jackson Public School District; and spokesperson for the Jackson School Board.
The broadcast journalist was also the first African American female news anchor on WJTV Channel 12.
Hayes-Anthony holds a B.S and a master’s degree from JSU, and a Ph.D. in organizational communication broadcast law from Southern Illinois University.
Educational test prep company Kaplan and Talladega College are partnering to provide the school's undergraduate student population with free prep courses for graduate-level admissions exams and professional certifications.
The school joins Xavier University of Louisiana, Howard University, and Delaware State University as Kaplan’s first historically Black college and university (HBCU) partners for its All Access initiative.
“Our community of educators is committed to ensuring that our graduates are equipped for the global community through academic excellence, moral values, community service, and professional development. And we know that a sound investment in Talladega College students like this will help them achieve their career goals and have brighter futures," said Talladega President Dr. Gregory J. Vincent. “Our partnership with Kaplan, supported by our critical and strategic use of Title III funding, will help ensure that we continue the College’s historical legacy of preparing students not only for the world of work but also for advanced graduate studies.”
Some graduate-level admissions exams include the GRE®, GMAT®, LSAT®, and MCAT®.
Many students see tests as a barrier, whether it is due to the price of preparation or the difficulty of the exams, said Mark Reimonenq, Kaplan’s director of university partner solutions.
“By partnering with Kaplan, Talladega College is increasing its investment in the future and promise of its students in a powerful way, and we’re incredibly excited to partner with them to help them reach their full potential,” Reimonenq said. “Providing these free test prep resources for so many important exams and certifications is a real game changer in Talladega students’ educational and professional journeys.”
Kaplan will announce more partnerships soon, Reimonenq said.
With state support, Georgia’s historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) could be made into even stronger centers of education and economic opportunity, according to a recent report.Sen. Sonya Halpern
The report – from the Georgia Senate Study Committee on Excellence, Innovation, and Technology at HBCUs – included recommendations for lawmakers on how to help HBCUs drive workforce diversity, innovation, and community and economic development.
One recommendation was for a bipartisan HBCU Caucus of lawmakers and permanent HBCU subcommittees in both chamber’s higher ed committees to focus on the schools. Another was to pass legislation to launch HBCU Innovation & Economic Prosperity Planning Districts that could help create housing and upgrade technology at HBCUs.
“This is an opportunity for Georgia to become the nation’s leader in how states fully support HBCUs and maximize their economic and social impact for their graduates and surrounding communities,” said state Sen. Sonya Halpern, chair of the study committee.
The Southern Education Foundation (SEF) had assisted by presenting recommendations at the committee’s inaugural hearing last August.
“HBCUs play a vital role in Georgia and many southern states as centers of learning, community, and opportunity,” said Raymond Pierce, SEF president and CEO. “These recommendations set a new, ambitious agenda for how the state of Georgia can help HBCUs thrive even more, benefiting students and communities across the state and setting an example for many other states to follow.”
Georgia’s HBCUs enroll more than 20,000 Black undergraduates a year and award 23% of bachelor’s degrees of Black students. These HBCUs make an estimated $1.3-billion economic impact in Georgia per year.
The Jackson State University (JSU) faculty senate voted no confidence in JSU President Thomas Hudson on Jan. 26, the Clarion Ledger reported.Thomas Hudson
“This Resolution sets forth that there is no confidence in President Thomas Hudson and various leaders of the administration,” said JSU Faculty Senate President Dr. Dawn Bishop McLin, also adding, “The Jackson State University faculty senate executive committee and the faculty senate are calling for a restoration of shared governance, transparency, accountability, and academic democracy at Jackson State University.”
McLin said that JSU leaders had repeatedly failed to respect shared governance, transparency, and accountability.
“These university leaders, including Hudson, have … worked outside of professional norms that have broad implications for the campus climate, the reputation of Jackson State University, and the university’s commitment both to providing a high-quality education and to carrying out its mission of a commitment to excellence.”
In response, Hudson said Jan. 27 that he was committed to JSU’s success and improvement.
"I look forward to working with the entire body of the faculty senate to address any concerns,” Hudson said. “To date, we’ve achieved many successful milestones, including increasing the university’s cash reserves from under 40 days in 2020 to over 100 days currently, addressing stagnant salaries by providing pay raises for faculty and staff for two consecutive years, a banner year in research resulting in $65.8 million in research awards, and the successful decennial review of our regional accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
"These types of achievements only happen through working together. I’m proud of what my administration has been able to accomplish to date, and I am committed to continuing the work to collaboratively execute the strategic plan to make Jackson State the best institution it can be."
Dr. Robert Luckett, director of the Margaret Walker Center and a history professor at JSU, said: "I was surprised and deeply disappointed when I got the news yesterday that this had happened. I deeply respect President Hudson. I think if you look at what he has done while he has been at Jackson State and what he faced and look at it in comparison to his predecessors, we are fortunate to have someone who cares as much as he does."
JSU’s enrollment fell 2.5% in the last reporting period, following a state trend. The school is also currently dealing with fallout from an alleged student-on-student murder.
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