The IHL Board of Trustees has announced the start of a search process for the 14th president of Jackson State University. Trustee Dr. Steven Cunningham, a graduate of Jackson State who also serves as vice president of the IHL Board of Trustees, will serve as chair of the search committee. All other trustees will serve on the committee.
The IHL policy related to the institutional executive officer search process is available here.
Updates on the search will be posted to this page.
Public Comments
A new survey for stakeholder input is now available from AGB Search, the executive search firm selected by the IHL Board of Trustees to assist with the presidential search. We welcome and encourage input on this survey from all supporters of Jackson State University. Input on this survey, along with the original comments portal below, will be used to shape the leadership profile for candidates. Click here to complete and submit the survey for AGB Search.
As part of the search process, IHL is committed to an open and engaged process and welcomes input from students, faculty, staff, alumni, and supporters of Jackson State University. All comments, opinions, and recommendations will be shared with the IHL Board of Trustees. Click here to complete and submit your input.
PLEASE NOTE THAT BOTH SURVEY PORTALS (FOR AGB SEARCH AND DIRECTLY TO IHL) WILL CLOSE AT 11:59PM EDT ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2025.
Note: Comments submitted through this form may be subject to disclosure pursuant to the Mississippi Public Records Act.
Updates
| 10/22/25 | Listening Sessions and New Survey Link Available for Jackson State University Stakeholders |
| 10/16/25 | IHL Board votes to move forward with the creation of a proposed list of individuals to serve on a Search Advisory Constituency. |
| 10/16/25 | Consultants from AGB Search present information on the proposed timeline for the Jackson State University presidential search and best practices related to presidential searches. |
| 9/18/25 | IHL Selects Executive Search Firm in Jackson State University President Search |
| 9/2/25 | IHL is seeking proposals from executive search firms to assist with the president search for Jackson State University. A copy of the Request for Proposal (RFP) is available here. |
| 8/21/25 | Board of Trustees Initiates Search for New JSU President |