JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY
DIVISION OF
INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
OVERVIEW
Presented to President Meyers and Executive Cabinet
October 21, 2014
CE Organizational Chart
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Division of Institutional Advancement
Interim Vice President
Dr. Mary M. White
Office of Community Engagement (OCE)
Kimberly Hilliard, Ph.D.
601-979- 1731
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Integrating community action and civic engagement
Into the fabric of the university.
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The Office of Community Engagement has the responsibility of fostering a seamless
relationship between Jackson State University and the general public through purposeful
interaction with external constituencies.
Direct managerial responsibilities over the following community-oriented units: Center for
University-Based Development, Department of Events, Metro Jackson Community Prevention
Coalition, Welcome Center, as well as, oversight over One University Place (JSUDF). The
Washington Addition Prenatal/Early Childhood Education Project was closed out in August
2014.
FY 2014-15
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Created research methodology for a university-wide assessment to ascertain the collective
impact of the community engagement and outreach efforts.
Crafted Sustainability Action Plan proposal for all campus locations.
Expansion of the community “Good News” newsletters. Currently, 18 churches and over
2,935 individuals receive monthly.
Represent the university on civic boards, such as: Vision 2022, Team Jackson, State of MS –
Election Laws Blue Ribbon Panel, and City of Jackson – Mechanical Board.
Center for University-Based Development (CUBD)
Jason Brookins, Director
601-979-2255
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FY 2013-14
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Served as the predevelopment team for the proposed JSU Dome Venue and off-campus
student residential housing for land use assessments and acquisitions.
Maintained property database for the 374 parcels held by JSU and JSU-subsidiaries.
Negotiated the transfer of ownership of 58 parcels (assessed value approximately
$313k) from the Secretary of State for future off-campus redevelopment. Processed over
120 parcels for rezoning of the proposed residence housing and MS e-Center.
Created the University Business Association (bounded by Gallatin St., Hwy. 80, Ellis Ave.,
and Smith Parkway) with 86 out of 300 businesses completed their membership
applications.
Improved community communication realizing a 10% increase in social media traffic (West
Jackson blog, Facebook, and Twitter). Over 2,415 followers.
Conducted youth-oriented activities, such as the “Cruising the Community” bike ride and
National Lemonade Day to enhance the image of JSU in the community.
FY 2014-15
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Hosted annual HBCU – Community Development Action Coalition conference (October).
Presented West Jackson Master Plan to university. Will establish roundtable discussions
with interested faculty, and students to discuss implementation strategies (October).
Present 20-acre Urban Farm proposal to JSUDF – Real Estate Committee (November).
West Jackson Heritage Banquet (November).
Department of Events (DOE)
Dadra Driscoll, Director
601-979-1033
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FY 2013-14
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DOE coordinated and managed 1,495 events in 7,082 event spaces across the campus for
an 33% increase in space utilization for events from the previous year.
Showcased JSU through high-volume and visibility events and national conferences, such as
the Jackson Free Press – Best of Jackson Party, COSEBOC – 8th Annual Gathering of
Leaders, the White House Summit on Educational Excellence for African Americans, and
Jackson Rising.
Automated processes to utilize the EMS system to track event-flow, invoices, payments, and
past due accounts. Implemented a campus-wide Master Calendar system to track all
campus events which includes expanded event marketing capabilities including flyers, ticket
sales, social media integration and subscriptions and RSS Feeds.
Expanded Summer Camp marketing to include website enhancements, online registration
and payment, single application, interactive TV and text advertising campaigns. Over
1,450 participants took advantage of online registration for camp.
FY 2014-15
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Director received event planning certification
1st mandatory Summer Camp directors’ meeting (October 28th). Marketing for summer
camps. (February).
Holiday activities – Holiday under the Stars (Dec. 2nd) and Winter Musical (Dec. 7th)
Improving customer service, visibility, and expanding services with 2 new events
coordinators (October).
Metro Jackson Community Prevention Coalition (MJCPC)
Velesha Williams, Director
601-979-1197
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FY 2013-14
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Provided direct services to over 6,500 individuals in prevention efforts and 100% funded
through external grants.
Over $670,000 in external funding generated. Funded by
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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA)
Mississippi Department of Mental Health Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Abuse under State Block Grant
SAMHSA - Campus Suicide Prevention Project
Mississippi Department of Highway Safety
Partnered with private and public sectors in the metropolitan Jackson area and the Mississippi
Delta Region including life skills training at JPS - Galloway Elementary School, Keys Elementary,
and Powell Middle School.
FY 2014-15
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Director named MS Prevention Specialist of the Year.
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Implementing a television show on JSUTV concerning public health issues.
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Implementing the Alcohol & Other Drug Prevention Training Institute. This new initiative will
offer certificates and educational credit units for JSU students, faculty, staff, and administrators.
MS Highway Patrol requested MJCPC to increase their service area in the Delta region.
Will lead One Fit JSU grant. First event: Health Fair at Blackburn Middle School (October)
One University Place
Lauren Jones, Property Manager
769-233-8181
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FY 2013-14
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Residential occupancy rates averaged 97% throughout the fiscal year. Low turnover.
Through the aid of Division of Business and Finance, collected over $107,000 in financial aid
funding for past due accounts;
Significant increase of international residential students;
Reduction in the number of complaints regarding exterior break-ins and noise due to increased
awareness regarding public safety and residential courtesy officer (JSU Public Safety).
FY 2014-15
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Over 85% occupied in commercial spaces.
Gallery 1 and Royal Bleau Boutique renewed leases. WOW Café opened (October).
Hosted 1UP Block Party during JSU Homecoming 2014 (October).
Property is over 4 years old. Create an overall preventative maintenance plan (January).
Washington Addition Prenatal and Early Childhood Education
Project (WAPECEP)
Angela Gobar. Ph.D., Director
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2013-14
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Provided more than thirty (30) services, events or training activities designed to promote school
readiness for Washington Addition children and parents.
Coordinated educating testing and intervention treatments for WAPECEP children. Offered a
minimum of twenty-four (24) hours of reading intervention and math tutorial per child.
Presented WAPECEP preliminary research findings during roundtables at the Coalition of
Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU) annual conference and Smart Start annual
conference.
Provided more than 500 hours of case management, counseling and referral to WAPECEP
parents.
FY 2014-15
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Developed a research paper, project evaluation report (MURC), and the annual performance
report for submission to the Robert M. Hearin Support Foundation (July).
Files for WAPECEP families transferred to the College of Education.
Grant ended and office closed August 31, 2014.
Welcome Center
Gwendolyn Capers, Director
601-979-0883
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2013-14
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Serviced 3,996 visitors. A 33% increase over the projected goal of 3,000 by June 30,
2014. Have served over 7,580 visitors since opening July 2012.
The Welcome Center conducted 213 tours, 184 meetings, and 8 seminars during the fiscal
year.
Hired a full-time Tour Guide/Receptionist to facilitate tours and preside over evening
meetings in the conference room.
State-of-the-art conference room with Mondopad and teleconferencing capacity enhanced
meeting experience.
Produced and distributed monthly newsletters to JSU retirees.
Enrolled the Welcome Center as a member of the Collegiate Information and Visitors
Services Association and attended national conference.
FY 2014-15
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Director serves as coordinator for Women’s Council for Philanthropy and their student
ambassadors. (July).
Improved functionality - exterior window panels and golf cart (January).
Establish a model for university-oriented visitors center and services. Will host 1st statewide
conference for collegiate visitor services. (February).