Dr. Joseph A. Whittaker currently serves as associate vice president for Research and Economic Development and member of the University’s executive cabinet.
Whittaker
In this capacity, he has responsibility and oversight for research, sponsored programs, research compliance, technology transfer and commercialization, federal relations and JSU Global. He was previously Dean and Professor of the School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences at Morgan State University. Dr. Whittaker also served as associate director of the NASA GESTAR program from 2011 to 2016 – a 5-year, $96M Cooperative Agreement from the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Earth Sciences Directorate. In addition, he developed and directed the Morgan State University Plant Biotechnology Research and Analytical Laboratory.
Prior to Morgan State University, Dr. Whittaker served in various capacities at Morehouse School of Medicine, where he led efforts in the design and construction the Neuroscience Institute, which became the prototype for 12 additional NIH-supported Specialized Neuroscience Programs establi
Dr. Whittaker received his B.S. degree in Biology at Morgan State University, and the Ph.D. in Physiology and Biophysics from Howard University. He subsequently joined the University of Tennessee Neuroscience Center of Excellence as a Neurobiology Postdoctoral Fellow where he pursued studies on chemical and electrical signaling mechanisms in the Basal Ganglia.
Edward O. Watson, general counsel and member of the University’s Executive Cabinet.
Watson
Watson manages the efficient operation of the Division of General Counsel and serves as the University’s lead in-house attorney. He provides representation and legal consultation to the University in all campus legal matters, with the primary objective of aiding the institution in reasonable avoidance and/or mitigation of legal risk. In 2019, Mississippi Business Journal named Attorney Watson as one of the top 40 attorneys in the state as part of its 2018 Leaders in the Law awards. Attorney Watson, who served as Associate General Counsel for the University from 2014 to 2017, graduated from Tougaloo College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and earned his Juris Doctor degree from Mississippi College School of Law. He is licensed to practice law in all federal and state courts in the State of Mississippi.
Prior to joining Jackson State University’s Division of General Counsel, his legal practice included, but was not limited to litigation and consultation in the areas of municipal law, employment law including, Title VII matters, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, business formation, contracts, commercial, governmental, and general tort liability defense. He has assisted public and private entities by providing advice regarding performance evaluation appraisal systems, development of employment policies and practices, employee handbooks and employment liability. He has also worked to provide proactive representation in his practice areas by conducting legal seminars and workshops regarding the implementation of policies, procedures, and practices to mitigate and prevent legal exposures prior to the assertion of claims. He has been selected as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers Top Attorneys in Mississippi for the past three consecutive years.
Robin Pack, executive director of Human Resources and member of the University’s executive cabinet.
Pack
She is responsible for all human resource functions for the university. Her areas of responsibility include employment, benefits and compensation, training and development, employee relations, student employment, and payroll.
Pack has been in the field of Human Resources Management for over 20 years. Prior to joining Jackson State University,
