Jackson State University President Thomas K. Hudson grew up in Jackson, Mississippi, a long-standing champion of education, where he attended and graduated from JSU in 1999. He went on to receive his Jurisprudence Doctor from the University of Mississippi School of Law. Dr. Hudson served as Acting President of JSU before being named president during late 2020 by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning. Hudson’s goals remain to enhance the university’s legacy and expand its global footprint while fortifying its mission to produce ethical and technologically advanced global leaders who adequately address societal problems and compete effectively.

With over ten years of significant senior leadership experience in human capital development, personnel oversight, and university operations, Dr. Hudson has held several positions as a member of the Jackson State staff. As the Special Assistant to the President and Chief Diversity Officer, Hudson served as co-chair of the university’s Strategic Planning Committee before becoming president. He also served on the executive cabinet and guided senior leadership on all topics related to the university’s future course and trajectory.

Dr. Hudson has also served as Chief Operating Officer/Chief Diversity Officer, Chief Diversity and EEO Officer/Title IX Coordinator. He was a member of the Margaret Walker Alexander Center Board of Directors and the JSU Athletics Hall of Fame Foundation Board of Directors.

Dr. Hudson demonstrates expertise with delivering institutional leadership to improve diversity within the communities of institutions for higher education and promoting equal opportunity for all staff, faculty, and students. He is committed to safeguarding the standards of equity and diversity, in addition to supporting compliance efforts for all equal opportunity, affirmative action, and harassment prevention matters. Before joining the staff at Jackson State, Dr. Hudson founded his law practice and served as an EEO specialist for the Department of Homeland Security/FEMA. As president, he can showcase his skills in creating policies and procedures, innovating education, and developing community.