11/22/2010 - Jackson, Miss.

The Board of Trustees of the State Institutions of Higher Learning announced today the selection of Dr. Carolyn W. Meyers as the preferred candidate for the presidency of Jackson State University. Dr. Meyers has over 30 years of experience in higher education, serving most recently as president of Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Va.

Prior to serving as president of Norfolk State University, Dr. Meyers served as Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. She has also served as a professor of mechanical engineering and dean of the College of Engineering at the same institution. Dr. Meyers served as a program director for the National Science Foundation for two years.

Dr. Meyers was recommended by the Board Search Committee, chaired by Trustee Bob Owens, with input from the Campus Search Advisory Committee and the Interview Search Advisory Committee following careful review of all applications and two rounds of interviews.

"I would like to thank Trustee Bob Owens for his service as chair and for the other members of the Board Search Committee for serving on this important committee," said Dr. Bettye Neely, president of the Board of Trustees of the State Institutions of Higher Learning. "Their hard work and dedication are evident in the selection of this excellent candidate."

Dr. Meyers holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Howard University in Washington, D.C., a master's degree in mechanical engineering from the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. In addition, Dr. Meyers earned a doctorate from the Georgia Institute of Technology's School of Chemical Engineering.

"I would like to thank the Campus Search Advisory Committee, under the leadership of Dr. Hardy and Mr. Woodard, for their time, insight and expertise," said Bob Owens, chair of the Board Search Committee for the Jackson State University presidential search, an ad hoc committee of the Board of Trustees. "Their input was an essential part of this process and helped the Board Search Committee tremendously as we weighed carefully the credentials of each candidate. I look forward to the entire Jackson State family having the opportunity to meet Dr. Meyers on her visit to the campus."

Campus listening sessions were held in September with constituency groups for the members of the Board Search Committee and the Campus Search Advisory Committee to hear what qualities and qualifications stakeholders believed the next institutional executive officer should possess. After careful review of all applicants, the Campus Search Advisory Committees submitted the names of several candidates unranked to the Board Search Committee and selected the Interview Search Advisory Committee. The Board selected the candidates to be interviewed and two rounds of interviews were held.

Members of the Campus Search Advisory Committee include Dr. Jasmine Chapman, Terry Woodard, Deshun Martin, Dr. John Peoples, Dr. Hilliard Lackey, Dr. Lelia Gaston Rhodes, Alysia Lajune, Dr. Felix Okojie, Dr. Jean Claude Assad, Dr. Sophia Leggett, Dr. Patsy Daniels, Dr. Mark Hardy, Dr. Rosella Houston, Dr. Glenda Glover, Dr. Mahasin Owens-Sabir, Dr. Otha Burton, Arianna S. Elliott, Andross K. Milteer, Robert Cook, Bobby Sutton, Ben Allen, Meredith Creekmore, Leland Speed, Barbara Blackmon, Dr. Gwen Prater, W.C. Gorden, Dr. Curtina Moreland-Young.

"Having input from every segment of the Jackson State community has led us to the right person for this time in Jackson State's history," said Dr. Mark Hardy, co-chair of the Campus Search Advisory Committee. "Dr. Meyers has a vision for the future of Jackson State and the experience to turn that vision into reality."

Dr. Meyers will meet with campus constituency groups on a visit to the main campus in Jackson. The visit will be held on Wednesday, December 1, beginning at 8:00 a.m. All sessions will be held in the JSU Student Center. While all sessions are open to the public, each session focuses on the needs of a specific constituency group.

"Dr. Meyers impressed us with her outstanding educational and professional background as well as her passion for Jackson State University," said Terry Woodard, co-chair of the Campus Search Advisory Committee and president of the Jackson State University National Alumni Association. "She understands where we have been and how far we can go in the future. We, the alumni, are on board and ready work in collaboration with Dr. Meyers and her team."

The Board of Trustees meeting will be held at 3:00 p.m. Members of the Board may participate in the meeting via teleconference. The public may attend in the Ballroom B in the JSU Student Center. An executive session may be held in accordance with the Open Meetings Act.

The Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning governs the public universities in Mississippi, including Alcorn State University; Delta State University; Jackson State University; Mississippi State University including the Mississippi State University Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine; Mississippi University for Women; Mississippi Valley State University; the University of Mississippi including the University of Mississippi Medical Center; and the University of Southern Mississippi.

Dr. Carolyn W. Meyers | JSU Presidential Search

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