Congratulations to Lauren Maryann Ballard on being elected the 86th Miss Jackson State University, for the 2025-2026 academic year. Currently serving as the Student Government Association Executive Secretary for the 2024-2025 academic year, Lauren has previously held the title of Miss Sophomore during 2023-2024. She is majoring in Political Science with a concentration in Legal Studies. She is a member of the Beta Xi Chapter of Lambda Sigma Honor Society, the Fannie Lou Hamer Pre-Law Society, JSU Blue Ambassadors, the InterVarsity Christian Studies Group and the Delta Pi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Incorporated.
Lauren, a Monroe native, graduated with honors from Ouachita Parish High School in 2022. She was reared at the St. Paul Baptist Church and is a member of the True Vine Baptist Church, Pastor Stonewall Hunter. She is the daughter of Courtney Lewis of Monroe, Lee Ballard of Arlington, Tex., and the granddaughter of Jan Lewis and Carrie Ballard and sister of Logan Ballard of Monroe.
Lauren is the second Monroe native to serve as Miss Jackson State University. Her grandmother s high school classmate, Mechelle Dunnings Harris, served as Miss JSU in 1982-1983.
Lauren s unwavering dedication to leadership, service and excellence continues to inspire the JSU community. We look forward to seeing Lauren s continued impact as she represents Jackson State University.
