About the Center
The Jordan Center for Journalism Advocacy and Innovation is championing journalism’s role in democracy and empowering informed citizenship.
"Journalists are our lifelong and, therefore, most important educators."
Jerry Jordan
Our Mission
The Jordan Center for Journalism Advocacy and Innovation is founded on the belief that journalists are lifelong educators and vital protectors of democracy. Its mission is to strengthen journalism’s role in American society by supporting reliable, relevant, and educational reporting and fostering critical thinking in media consumption.
Funded by a transformational gift from the Jordan Education Foundation, the Center supports programming, public policy development, media events, and research to uphold journalistic standards and cultivate a more informed and discerning public. A core initiative, the Life Skills Institute, supplements high school curricula with practical education in critical thinking, personal enrichment, and entrepreneurial skills, linking these lessons to the importance of a vibrant press.
Jerry and Jean Jordan at the celebration of the center's launch with sons (from left) Joshua, Jacob and Jenner.
Our Founding
The Jordan Center for Journalism Advocacy and Innovation was established in 2024 through a $4 million matching gift from Jerry and Jean Jordan, former University of Mississippi professors. Motivated by a deep concern for the rise of misinformation and the polarization of media, the Jordans envisioned a center dedicated to promoting journalistic excellence and fostering critical media literacy. Their decision to focus their philanthropic efforts on journalism and democracy reflects a lifetime of leadership in education, entrepreneurship, and service.
For 21 years, the Jordans led one of the nation’s most accomplished collegiate choral programs at Ole Miss, earning international recognition for their work with the Ole Miss Concert Singers. While inspiring excellence in the arts, they also built and grew a successful telecommunications business, NetVoice. After retiring from the university in 2001, they expanded their business ventures and managed real estate and other investments, while turning their focus toward education and public service.
In 2023, the Jordans established the Jordan Education Foundation to address two interconnected challenges: deficiencies in traditional high school curricula and the need to foster a more informed and discerning electorate. This mission ultimately led them to partner with the UM School of Journalism and New Media to create the Center.
Today, the Jordan Center stands as a testament to the Jordans’ enduring commitment to education and civic engagement. As a cornerstone of the School of Journalism and New Media, it works to realize their vision of equipping citizens and journalists alike to strengthen democracy through informed and responsible engagement with the media.