Dr. Denise Jones Gregory has been appointed as the new President at Jackson State University, following an eight-month national search. Dr. Gregory will officially begin her new role on May 1, 2026. Dr. Gregory most recently served as Interim President of Jackson State University, a role she has held since May 2025. In this capacity, she served as the Institutional Executive Officer, providing executive leadership to ensure operational effectiveness, strategic alignment, and advancement of the university's mission and long-term priorities. Prior to serving as Interim President, Dr. Gregory served as Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Jackson State, where she provided strategic oversight for all academic units — including six colleges, graduate studies, institutional research, and the university library — and managed a $56.5 million budget comprising 46% of the university's total operating budget. Dr. Gregory earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Magna Cum Laude, from Jackson State University and her Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Read more.