The vision of Jackson State University is to be a model urban learning community for highly motivated students from diverse backgrounds, where original research and experiential learning are integrated into rigorous and internationally prominent teaching, research and service learning programs.

A Historically Black Carnegie Doctoral/Research Intensive public institution of higher learning located in the metropolitan area of Jackson, Mississippi, Jackson State University educates a diverse student population from Mississippi, most other states and many foreign countries by providing a broad range of baccalaureate programs and a variety of masters and doctoral programs in its six Colleges: Business; Education and Human Development; Liberal Arts; Lifelong Learning; Public Service; and Science, Engineering and Technology. The learning process at Jackson State is enhanced through experiential learning in urban and rural areas throughout the city, state, nation, and global communities. Jackson State is a learning community for highly capable, as well as capable but under prepared students who require a nurturing academic environment.

JSU’s adherence to the following Operating Principles will enhance the University’s ability to effectively serve students, thereby ensuring productive graduates.
Values Based Learning Community
The University’s core values are infused in every aspect of its existence: tradition, its history inspires and exemplifies positive societal change; accountability, the principled exercise of leadership and the belief in the sanctity of the public trust; learning, an environment where teaching, research and service are integrated and mutually reinforcing; nurturing, a community which affirms and welcomes persons from diverse backgrounds and experiences and supports the realization of their human potential; service, responding to the needs of society and expecting our graduates to do likewise; responsibility, accepting our duty to enhance each generation’s capacity to improve the human condition.
Individualized Learning
Jackson State has implemented a system of assessment, diagnosis and planned matriculation that tailors the learning experience to the needs of the student, whether he or she is a freshman entering from high school, a non-traditional or working full time student, or a junior college transfer.
Meeting Regional Learning Needs
Jackson State has primary responsibility for the higher education needs of central Mississippi. Its students, however, come from throughout Mississippi, most of the United States, and several foreign countries. The institution has locations throughout the city of Jackson: a 250-acre main campus, information technology, public health and health sciences, and lifelong learning satellite campuses. The College of Lifelong Learning also offers credit and non-credit courses at several Community Colleges primarily in central Mississippi.
e-City
e-City is a living/learning urban studio comprised of a 5-square mile area contiguously surrounding Jackson State University. It is a mutually beneficial, universitybased economic and human development initiative where students engage in experientially enhanced learning through partnerships with the U.S. Department of Education, the Mississippi Department of Education, the Fannie Mae Foundation and Corporation, the City of Jackson, Jackson Public Schools and private and not-for-profit businesses. Concomitantly, the University serves as a lifelong learning resource for city employees, teachers, other professionals and community groups.
Fostering Research
Jackson State University recognizes that research, both basic and action, is a key component of not only learning, but economic development as well. The University is internationally known in the field of computational computing and has a breadth of research activity across all disciplines. It is expected that the Schools of Engineering and Public Health will continue to grow. Multi-disciplinary funded research in general is expected to expand, particularly in the areas of education and human development, communications technology, epidemiology, environmental health, homeland security and nanotechnology.