Denise Jones Gregory, Ph.D. Named 14th President of Jackson State University (JSU)
Denise Jones Gregory has served as interim president since May 2025
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BOARD OF TRUSTEES NAMES DENISE JONES GREGORY AS 14TH PRESIDENT OF JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY
Alumna and interim leader selected after national search
JACKSON, Miss. (April 21, 2026) — After an eight-month national search, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning has named Denise Jones Gregory, Ph.D. as the 14th president of Jackson State University (JSU). Gregory has served as interim president since May 2025.
“Jackson State University has shaped my life in profound ways, so it is a distinct honor to serve as president of the university that helped shape me,” Gregory said. “As an alumna and longtime member of this community, I know the strength, promise and responsibility that come with leading JSU. I am grateful to the Board of Trustees for its confidence, and I look forward to continuing to work with our students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters to advance this institution with focus, integrity and deep pride in who we are. This is truly a full circle moment for me.
Prior to her appointment as interim president, Gregory served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at JSU.
“The Board of Trustees put a tremendous amount of time and energy into this search process, and we are confident in Dr. Gregory’s ability to help write the next chapter in Jackson State University’s long history,” said Dr. Steven Cunningham, vice president of the Board of Trustees and chair of the Board Search Committee. “I also want to recognize and thank the members of the Search Advisory Constituency, who spent hours reviewing applications and interviewing candidates. Their commitment to this process was critical and deeply appreciated.”
Patrease Edwards, president of the JSU National Alumni Association and a member of the Search Advisory Constituency, echoed that sentiment.
“This has been a long and involved process, and we’ve worked closely with the Board of Trustees through the reviewing and interviewing of candidates to reach this point,” Edwards said. “Today we begin a new and exciting part of the story of Jackson State, and we are prepared to support Dr. Gregory as she takes on this role.”
Gregory earned her Bachelor of Science in chemistry, magna cum laude, from Jackson State University in 1994 and holds a doctorate in chemistry from the Georgia Institute of Technology. She has also completed additional training through the U.S. Department of Agriculture and is a graduate of the New Presidents Academy through the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. Additionally, she completed the Willa B. Player Executive Leaders Program and the HBCU Executive Leadership Institute Program at Clark Atlanta University.
Gregory was one of 79 applicants for the position. The search process included first-round interviews with eight candidates, second-round interviews with three finalists, and comprehensive background and reference checks conducted by AGB Search consultants.
About Jackson State University
Jackson State University, founded in 1877, is a historically Black, doctoral university classified R2 by the Carnegie Classification for its substantial research activity and doctoral degree production. Jackson State’s nurturing academic environment challenges individuals to change lives through teaching, research and service. Officially designated as Mississippi’s Urban University, Jackson State continues to enhance the state, nation and world through comprehensive economic development, healthcare, technological and educational initiatives. The only public university in metropolitan Jackson, Jackson State is located near downtown and has four satellite locations throughout the area. For more information, visit www.jsums.edu.
Denise Jones Gregory, Ph.D. Named 14th President of Jackson State University (JSU)