Jackson State’s motto is “Challenging minds, changing lives.” They attempted to do just that on Thursday.

In order to promote a two-week studying abroad in six different parts of the world, Jackson State University, along with a nonprofit organization, provided some 200 students attending the university free passports.

[quote_box_center]From The Clarion-Ledger, “In an effort to increase the number of students who travel to other countries, Jackson State University, along with , provided up to 200 JSU students with free passports Thursday.”[/quote_box_center]

Jackson State University, a historically black college or university (HBCU) located in Jackson, MS, joined together with the Council on International Educational Exchange to encourage students to study abroad. Originally the Council said they would provide up to 100 free passports to JSU students, but JSU leaders matched their offer putting the total number to 200 free passports.

[quote_box_center]”In a matter of months, we have created this historic program,” said James Pellow, president and CEO of CIEE. “It’s not only historic for Jackson State University and the state of Mississippi, but it’s a model we believe will be emulated by universities across the nations. It breaks down the barrier of cost, it overcomes the barrier of curriculum and it enhances the culture here at JSU.”[/quote_box_center]

“As a college student, it has been pretty inconvenient and expensive to get a passport,” Jarvis Jones, a Business and Marketing major told The Clarion-Ledger. “I just didn’t really have the income to do it. When I heard about this opportunity, it was really a no-brainer.”

“The whole world is your playground. We’re writing history, not only for Jackson State with this partnership, but also for the whole state of Mississippi and really the nation. That’s what we should be doing,” said JSU President Carolyn Myers.

Read more at The Clarion-Ledger