“I can’t think of a leader in Mississippi who has invested more time and thought regarding the issues at Jackson State than my friend Marcus Thompson,” said Dr. Rod Paige, former U.S. Secretary of Education and former interim president at Jackson State University. “He is one of the only people I can think of who has a full comprehension of the history, trajectory, strength, vulnerabilities, and basic needs of the university. I cannot think of an individual who could be more involved and have more connections with the people pertinent to the university than him. I think IHL has made a wise choice in making Marcus Thompson president, and I’m very proud that he will take advantage of this opportunity.”
According to the school’s website, Dr. Thompson has more than 20 years of leadership experience in early childhood, K-12 education, and higher education.
Thompson serves as the Deputy Commissioner and Chief Administrative Officer of the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL), Mississippi’s public university system, where for over a decade he has been responsible for overseeing IHL staff.
In a press release on the University’s website, Dr. Thompson released a statement about being named president.
“I’m very honored to be named President of Jackson State University because I believe in its mission, purpose and most of all, the outstanding faculty, staff, alumni and students who embody our school’s motto of challenging minds, changing lives,” said Dr. Marcus L. Thompson. “I look forward to working closely with all of them to develop a consensus about strategic goals and objectives we can achieve by working together.”
