12/1/2010 - Jackson, Miss.

The Board of Trustees of the State Institutions of Higher Learning announced today the unanimous decision to name Dr. Carolyn Meyers as president 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.

"A great university like Jackson State needs a great leader and Dr. Carolyn Meyers is a proven leader with a wealth of knowledge, having served as a faculty member, dean and president before," 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. "The Board is extremely pleased to have an educator of her caliber and experience to lead Jackson State."

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.

"I am humbled and honored that the Board of Trustees has selected me to lead Jackson State University," said Dr. Carolyn Meyers. "Jackson State has a rich history and an even brighter future as the state's urban university. I look forward to working with the Jackson State family as we build on its history together."

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.

Earlier today, Dr. Meyers met with campus constituency groups on a visit to the main campus in Jackson. Students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members were able to pose questions to Dr. Meyers and share their thoughts and concerns with her. Attendees were able to provide feedback to the Board of Trustees. This feedback was reviewed during the Board Meeting on the campus.

Dr. Meyers will begin serving as president of Jackson State University in January.

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

###

News Archive