Jackson State employees face layoffs as university loses federal funding

Eight Jackson State University positions are being eliminated at the end of the year as federal funding for the roles dry up, possibly affecting the institution’s ability to secure donations and other private financial support. 

The news, confirmed in a letter obtained Friday by Mississippi Today, comes as the university expects to lose millions of dollars from the U.S. Department of Education.

In 2022, JSU received $8.2 million in Title III funds, according to the federal agency’s website. University officials did not disclose how much money they are expected to lose.

Anthony Howard, a spokesperson for JSU, denied in an email that the university is losing Title III funding. 

“Jackson State University has not lost any Title III grant funding,” Howard said.

He confirmed that eight positions would be affected by the layoffs, characterizing the move as part of a reallocation of federal money.

The letter obtained by Mississippi Today, describes the positions being cut as being funded by Title III money. At least a handful of staff members in the university’s Division of Institutional Advancement were notified this week that their roles would be eliminated Dec. 31. 

The letter specifically mentioned funding for “JSU’s Activity Six, Title III, Part B. Historically Black Colleges and Universities Program,” which the university’s website describes as “elevating contributions from alumni and private donors.” This is one of 21 projects under the university’s HBCU Title III grant which the federal government awarded for the 2022-27 cycle. 

Employees affected by the layoff were encouraged to apply for vacancies, officials said. 

In his statement, Howard said the university would reallocate the funds to other Title III activities. The university did not disclose how much money nor where it would go. 

Title III was created in 1965 under the Higher Education Act, and it was established to help historically Black colleges and universities overcome past underfunding and provide students with equal opportunity to a quality education, according to the federal education department’s website. 

The aid can help eligible institutions build infrastructure, develop academic programs and training, and raise endowments. 

It remains unclear whether JSU or Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning, the state’s college board, will seek alternative funding to retain these positions. 

IHL declined to comment to Mississippi Today. 

It is unclear how much of the lost funding is directly to blame for the layoffs. It is also unclear why the university’s funding is being terminated by the federal government. 

JSU’s Division of Institutional Advancement oversees fundraising efforts, including securing major gifts, maintaining relationships with alumni and private donors, fundraising campaigns and growing the university’s endowment. The office also works with the JSU’s Development Foundation to secure financial support for scholarships, academic programs and other institutional needs.