Since 1877, Jackson State University has been providing young men and women opportunities that will empower them to succeed in an increasingly complex world. As the Urban University of Mississippi, Jackson State emphasizes public service programs designed to enhance quality of life and seek solutions to urban problems in the physical, social, intellectual, and economic environments. Located in Jackson, the capital city and the cultural, political, geographic and business center of Mississippi, the campus is a scenic 125-acre tract only five minutes from downtown and less than twenty minutes from Jackson International Airport. Tree-lined walkways and a large central plaza add to the atmosphere of a major university in a bustling capital city. In addition to numerous year-round activities on the campus, the city offers plenty of concerts and other cultural events, and shopping centers and malls provide exciting excursions in search of great bargains. Museums, theaters, parks and restaurants abound.