Jeffery Johnson Jr. has been named Homecoming King at Mississippi State University for 2025. The slogan “Jump in with Jeff” encouraged 2,650 students, over half of those who voted, to choose Johnson as the best representative for MSU.
Johnson, a senior finance major from Jackson, has been involved across campus throughout the last four years.
During his four years at Mississippi State, Johnson has become the president of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, a crew leader for S.P.A.R.K., a Roadrunner, a counselor for New Maroon Camp and an ambassador for the College of Business. He has also been involved in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the Accountant and Finance Student Society, the National Association for Black Accountants and the Black Student Association.
Johnson’s friends say his genuine care for others makes him stand out on campus. Izzy Stewart, a junior majoring in professional and broadcast meteorology, said that despite his extensive involvement on campus, Johnson is committed to being a consistent friend to those around him.
“For me, Jeff has always been somebody I could lean on,” Stewart said. “Even though he’s involved in all these organizations, he still takes time to make sure that people know that he cares about them, and he takes time to take care of those people.”
Johnson’s kindness clearly resonated with voters — 55% of those who cast ballots during the Oct. 7 election chose him for the crown.
To Johnson, running for Homecoming court was not about fame or the crown. As the former Homecoming King of his high school, the thought of running again was in the back of his mind throughout college. But stepping onto the MSU campus, he knew he wanted to be king here one day, too.
“Just getting involved on campus and meeting so many different people, I just wanted to kind of be a representation of all different types of students on our campus,” Johnson said.
Johnson’s campaign centered on supporting the Boys and Girls Club in Starkville, one that he has served during his time at MSU.
“I noticed sometimes they lack the resources they need in that facility,” Johnson said. “So my goal is to pretty much bring awareness to them and bring them some resources to their office here in Starkville.”
Ronnie Charles Jr., a sophomore majoring in mechanical engineering, met Johnson during his freshman orientation when Johnson served as an orientation leader.
“It’s the name Jeffery Johnson Jr. that everybody hears, and they’re like ‘I know that guy’,” Charles said. “Not because of everything he’s done, but just because of that person he is — he’s that role model that everybody aspires to be.”
Johnson said his decision to attend Mississippi State came after the university’s persistence in recruiting, but that it ended up being one of the best decisions he has ever made.
“Mississippi State kept sending me postcards and emails; they wouldn’t leave me alone,” he joked.
Johnson spoke about what the title means to him.
“Everybody on this campus is so nice, and this campus has given me so much to me, so just being able to give back and also represent students is just something to look forward to,” Johnson said.
