'The Mission': Central State President Dr. Jack Thomas shares vision for HBCU college ahead of game

As the Pro Football Hall of Fame ramps up for one of the greatest gatherings in HBCU football, the newest episode of "The Mission" podcast, "Central State President Dr. Jack Thomas," is now available.

The Central State University Marauders square off against the Winston-Salem State University Rams in the Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic during Labor Day Weekend at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

During the podcast, host Jamir Howerton provides viewers with an exclusive interview with Central State President Dr. Jack Thomas.

Thomas shares his passion and vision for Central State University. Since becoming president, he has instituted the CSU Honors College and CSU Global, an online program that has enrolled more than 4,000 students. Through the global program, enrollment at CSU has tripled. These are just a few of the successful programs Thomas has initiated in helping build CSU as an academic HBCU powerhouse.

Thomas also discusses the football team, stadium upgrades that include a new turf surface and electronic scoreboard, and the hiring of veteran football coach Kevin Porter. 

Porter, a former collegiate standout and NFL player, brings two decades of coaching experience to help lead the Marauders back to their glory days. Porter will be a guest on "The Mission" soon.

"It's about strength, conditioning, mental and emotional. We have to prepare as what I like to say, 'a total student athlete' and that is what Coach Porter brings to CSU football," Thomas said.