Jackson, Miss. – University President Denise Jones Gregory says the push for the nation’s highest research tier is as much about the city of Jackson and the state’s future as it is about academic prestige. Achieving the Carnegie “R1” designation would require the university to spend at least $50 million annually on research and development and to award 70 research doctorates each year.
Current research activity
In the 2023 fiscal year, Jackson State University (JSU) reported nearly $19.5 million in research spending, according to Vice President of Research and Economic Development Almesha Campbell. The university’s research portfolio includes cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, health disparities, materials science and civil engineering.
One standout project involves Professor Kamal Ali and a team of electrical‑and‑computer‑engineering students who are attaching tiny sensors to oyster shells. The sensors collect data on how oysters respond to environmental changes, a study funded through the Mississippi‑Based RESTORE Act Center of Excellence (MBRACE). MBRACE, backed by a $26 million, 15‑year grant from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, partners JSU with Mississippi State, the University of Mississippi and the University of Southern Mississippi.
“Oyster reefs were once a $100 million industry and a key indicator of Gulf‑coast health,” Ali explained. “Protecting Mississippi’s culture, traditions and revenue from the Gulf is an important part of what we do, and it has the potential to bring jobs and money to the state.”
Path to the R1 benchmark
JSU is close to meeting the doctoral‑degree requirement, awarding roughly 68 research doctorates each year. The College of Education and Human Development alone conferred 27 education doctorates, 12 health‑professional doctorates and eight psychology doctorates in recent years.
To reach the $50 million research‑spending threshold, university leaders say they must broaden their grant base beyond federal sources. “We’re now asking how do we get more contracts, more grants and opportunities? How do we partner and bring in money that’s not from the federal government into the institution to expand its capacity,” Campbell said.
Efforts include recruiting new faculty with strong research records and leveraging the newly formed Association of HBCU Research Institutions, a coalition of 14 historically Black colleges and universities launched in April. The coalition, which receives support from Harvard University, aims to help HBCUs compete for larger grants and collaborate with top research universities.
Community and economic impact
University officials argue that research growth will translate into tangible benefits for Jackson residents. Alumni member Sharolyn Love noted that a stable leadership team and a long‑term strategic plan could attract billionaire donors and private investors, further expanding opportunities for students and local businesses.
Ali added that many of the university’s projects support larger state initiatives behind the scenes, providing a pipeline of innovation and skilled workers for Mississippi’s future industries.
Looking ahead
While JSU has not yet met the Carnegie benchmarks, its trajectory suggests the university could achieve R1 status within the next few years if funding and faculty recruitment goals are met. Success would place Jackson State alongside Howard University as the only HBCU with top‑tier research classification, signaling a new era of academic excellence and economic development for the capital city and the state.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
