This article profiles Jackson State University, a historically Black school of more than 8,000 students located at the southern end of Jackson, Mississippi's majority-Black capital city. Founded in 1877, Jackson State has emerged as one of Mississippi's leading research institutions as well as one of the top HBCUs in the country for research. Its $56 million sponsored research portfolio in the 2005-2006 academic year put the school second only to Howard University among HBCUs. In 2002, Jackson State was named a "comprehensive university" in a desegregation settlement plan, putting it on par with the University of Mississippi, Mississippi State University, and the University of Southern Mississippi. Last year, the school earned the Carnegie classification ranking of a "high research activity" university. Jackson State officials say they are optimistic that Jackson State's growth, which includes new and renovated dormitories now under construction as well as a relatively new engineering program, will help grow overall undergraduate enrollment. In the meantime, officials have plunged ahead with a major fundraising drive for the first time since the 1980s. The Campaign for Jackson State, expected to be formally announced this year, is critical to improving student chances for success at the university. The $50-million campaign, the largest in Jackson State's history, is focused on student financial assistance, faculty and staff development.