IHL appoints Thomas Hudson as acting president of JSU

The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning named Thomas Hudson as Acting President of Jackson State University at its meeting held earlier today in Jackson, effective immediately. Hudson currently serves as Special Assistant to the President and Chief Diversity Officer for Jackson State.

William Bynum Jr.

Hudson was named after JSU’s previous president, William Bynum Jr., was arrested by Clinton Police in a prostitution sting this weekend. Bynum was charged with procuring the services of a prostitute and possession of marijuana along with giving a false statement of identity. He resigned from JSU this morning.

“We are extremely pleased that Thomas Hudson has agreed to serve as acting president,” said Hal Parker, president of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning in a statement. “As both an alumnus and a current staff member, he has a deep love for and understanding of the campus and all it means to the students, faculty, staff, alumni and the state.”

As special assistant to the president and chief diversity officer, Hudson served on the executive cabinet and provided guidance to senior leadership on all topics related to the university’s future course and trajectory. With the Division of Human Resources and Office of General Counsel under his purview, Hudson oversaw institutional EEO and Title IX implementation and collaborated with other executive administrators on matters of curriculum, guidelines and practices.

He also established collaborative partnerships with the University Veterans Center and Office of Disability Services to address the underrepresentation of employees from these groups. He also served as the president’s liaison for the Division of Athletics.

“As a Jackson State alumnus and senior-level cabinet member, Thomas Hudson is committed to the success of the university and extremely knowledgeable about all facets of the campus,” said Dr. Alfred Rankins Jr., commissioner of higher education.

Hudson has been a member of the Jackson State staff since 2012.

Hudson holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Jackson State University and a law degree from the University of Mississippi. Before joining the staff at Jackson State, Hudson founded his own law practice and served as an EEO specialist for the Department of Homeland Security/FEMA in Clinton.

Hudson and his wife, Phylandria, have two daughters.

The Board of Trustees will discuss the future leadership of Jackson State at its regular Board meeting next week.