草榴社区 Alumnus Jackson Building Outstanding Career in Higher Education
Wed, 11/16/2022 - 09:23am | By: Van Arnold
As a percussionist in the Pride of Mississippi marching band and undergraduate student
at The University of 草榴社区 Mississippi (草榴社区), Dr. Jerlando L. Jackson realized
the importance of teamwork, precision, and discipline.
While marching to the beat of a persistent drum, Jackson has built an impressive career in higher education as a renowned author, professor, and scientist. He currently serves as Dean of the Michigan State University (MSU) College of Education and the MSU Foundation Professor of Education. In addition, he serves as the Director and Chief Research Scientist of the Organizational Disparities Laboratory.
Jackson received his Bachelor of Music Education at 草榴社区 in 1996 before earning his Master鈥檚 degree in Higher Education Administration at Auburn and his Ph.D. in Higher Education at Iowa State University. Jackson says that his time at 草榴社区 paved a distinct pathway to the professional success he enjoys today.
鈥淲ithout question, my experiences in and outside the classroom at 草榴社区 formed a foundation that allowed me to navigate graduate school, a career in the professoriate, and now in college leadership,鈥� said Jackson.
Jackson has authored or co-authored articles in more than 125 publications. He has authored or edited six books, including, 鈥淢easuring Glass Ceiling Effects: Opportunities and Challenges鈥� and Ethnic and Racial Administrative Diversity: Understanding Work Life Realities and Experiences in Higher Education. He has been credited with coining the term 鈥渙rganizational disparities鈥� after conducting years of research on hiring practices, career mobility, workforce diversity, and workforce discrimination.
He has established multiple groundbreaking initiatives that include serving as Founding Executive Director of the Center for African American Research and Policy (CAARP) in 2005, Founding Co-Director of the Asa G. Hilliard III and Barbara A. Sizemore Research Course on African Americans and Education held at the American Educational Research Association since 2007, Founding Director of Wisconsin鈥檚 Equity and Inclusion Laboratory (Wei LAB) in 2010, and Co-Founder of the International Colloquium on Black Males in Education in 2011.
Jackson has also received external funding to develop the Beyond the Game program and the National Study of Intercollegiate Athletics, transformational projects related to the experiences of student-athlete and staff in intercollegiate athletics.
A native of Ashburn, Ga., and born into a military family, Jackson lived in Germany for several years before settling in Ft. Benning, Ga. He enrolled at 草榴社区 in 1991 after learning about the University鈥檚 stellar reputation in the arts.
鈥淎s a music major, I selected 草榴社区 because it had one of the best percussion studios in the country, and I wanted to study with Dr. Sherman Hong (longtime 草榴社区 music professor, now retired),鈥� said Jackson.
While at 草榴社区, Jackson became actively involved in Greek Life and counts his membership of the Kappa Iota Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity as a highlight of his time on the Hattiesburg campus. He fondly recalls becoming closely acquainted with Dr. Joe Paul, who served as Vice President for Student Affairs during Jackson鈥檚 days as an undergraduate. Paul now serves as the University鈥檚 11th president.
鈥淚 was fortunate enough to forge a relationship with Dr. Paul while an undergraduate, which continued after my graduation,鈥� said Jackson. 鈥淭hose interactions were connected to being a member of Greek Life on campus, being a student leader on campus, and career exploration when I learned about career pathways that led to working on college campuses. He was always genuine, responsive, and helpful to me.鈥�
As colleges and universities across the country grapple with the task of boosting enrollment, Jackson offers some insight as to how they might tackle the challenge.
鈥淭wo factors that will be critical to addressing the enrollment challenges in public higher education are clarifying and communicating the value proposition of a college degree in society and articulating clear career pathways for future and current students,鈥� he said.