Mississippi State University’s School of Architecture is partnering with two Jackson universities to boost small businesses and economic growth in the capital city’s downtown.
The collaborative initiative brings together nonprofit Downtown Jackson Partners, Mississippi State University’s School of Architecture, Jackson State University’s Department of Urban and Regional Planning, and Millsaps College’s Else School of Management at the Urban Studio in downtown Jackson.
The studio gives high-performing students and recent graduates an opportunity for hands-on projects centered on urban revitalization, research-backed small business support, and pathways for physical investment in Jackson.
Aaron White, director of MSU’s Jackson Center, said the partnership aligns with the School of Architecture’s fifth-year curriculum goals.
“The Mississippi State University School of Architecture has been part of downtown Jackson since its founding in 1973, and the School’s Jackson Center has long been a catalyst for reimagining Mississippi’s capital city,” White said.
“Our partnership in Urban Studio builds on that longstanding commitment by giving our students the opportunity to apply their talents to real challenges while collaborating with community leaders and partner institutions,” he continued. “Through this experience, students will not only contribute to Jackson’s future but gain a deeper understanding of the role architects play in shaping vibrant communities.”
While Mississippi State’s main campus is in Starkville, where architecture students generally complete their first four years, its fifth-year architecture program is based in downtown Jackson.
