Leadership

Throughout her academic career, Jackson has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to leadership through service, community building, and mentorship. At the University of Michigan, she serves as the Community Outreach and Alternative Spring Break Chair for the Students of Color of Rackham, where she organizes service events and assists in matching graduate students with local community organizations. Additionally, she serves as a Restorative Practices Peer Facilitator, where she co-facilitates circle discussion groups with Graduate Student and Program Consultation Services. She also volunteers with Black and Pink at the School of Public Health, assisting with their quarterly Rainbow Review newsletters.

Jackson has held multiple leadership roles within professional organizations. Notably, she served as the Student Representative for the American Sociological Association’s Section on Medical Sociology from 2023 to 2025. In this position, she co-developed the “Mentor of the Month” workshop series, revived the Section’s social media presence, and served on the Section’s Donald Light Award and Leo G. Reeder Award committees. She also served as a member of the Social Problems Social Media Committee (2021-2024), Membership Committee for the Interdisciplinary Association for Population Health Sciences (2021-2024), Professional Awards Committee for the Association of Black Sociologists (2022), and a member of the planning committee for the 2025 “Complexity in the Social World: The Challenging Case of Structural Racism” symposium at the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research.

Jackson’s commitment to community engagement is reflected in her desire for leadership training and development. In 2024, she participated in the 2024 LeaderShape Institute to develop her leadership skills while remaining grounded in her values. In the same year, she received advocacy training through the Science, Technology, and Public Policy (STPP) Program at the Ford School of Public Policy and completed the Rackham Professional Development Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Certificate Program. This program provided her with comprehensive training in developing and refining her communication and leadership skills, enabling her to effectively serve and connect with communities across backgrounds and experiences.

As an undergraduate student, Jackson co-founded Take Back the Night OSU and held leadership positions in organizations addressing homelessness, menstrual equity, and women’s rights, ultimately laying the foundation for her continued dedication to a just society through scholarship, action, and community.