Heather Denne’ is the Director for Community Engagement at Jackson State University.  Heather coordinates development activities for community residents, JSU students, neighborhood associations, businesses and other stakeholders in the community.  Heather has extensive knowledge of community organizing, historic preservation, grant writing, and marketing.  In 2021, Heather has secured nearly 2 million dollars in grant funds for projects in the West Jackson Community.  She prides herself on being a results-oriented team leader with a 10-year track record of providing superior project management and support services to numerous groups.  She has served as project lead on numerous community-wide initiatives including the preservation of Mt. Olive Cemetery, creation of little free libraries, operates the West Jackson Blog, builds community gardens, and secures thousands of pounds of fresh food for the community. Heather serves as the staff liaison between Jackson State University and the communities surrounding the University.  

She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Kansas in Women’s Studies, and her Master’s degree from Jackson State University in Urban and Regional Planning and recently received her PhD from Jackson State University in Urban and Regional Planning.