Jackson State University students will get the opportunity to address negative perceptions about the university, and in particular the 107 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the country. The aim to discuss important topics like post-graduate careers, and negative remarks towards HBCUs, and how to overcome these things.
“I have been at Jackson State University for three years, and have been able to see the good and the bad,” Kendall Bunch, 2016-2017 Student Government President on campus, told me in a recent interview. “I have also been able to learn from great instructors and mentors. The love I have for my university is why it is hard to hear so many speak about it in a negative light.”
“So often we hear about all the negative issues that plague our universities without providing viable solutions,” he said. “The goal of this campaign–which I hope many other HBCUs that deal with similar situations will adopt–is to assure that we show JSU as the thriving university that it is despite our issues and circumstances.
Bunch added, “No student is ignorant to the issues we face, and now is the time yes for student leaders to stand and push for the change needed.”
Bunch said Jackson State students want to lessen the amount of external negative talk, while they internally work to make sure these issues do not continue. “Many times our negative remarks can negatively impact those who come after us and that is what we must cease,” he said. “HBCU graduates face so many issues post-graduation when attempting to secure a job.”
“One of those issues that we can put an end to is employers questioning a candidate based on the reputation of the university the student attended. The movements of the past have travel and are heard by many. I hope this will do the same.”
It is the goal of Jackson State’s student government and student body that other HBCUs will catch on to the vision being cast and cause a chain reaction that not only addresses the issues of HBCUs but demand change to on the “swept under the rug” problems.
For more information be sure to follow Jackson State’s Student Government Instagram, @jsusga.
