Tom Jackson Jr. has been named president of Humboldt State University in Arcata, California. When he takes office in July, he will become the first African American to lead the university,
The university enrolls nearly 8,000 undergraduate students and more than 600 graduate students, according to the latest data supplied to the U.S. Department of Education. African Americans make up 4 percent of the undergraduate student body.
Dr. Jackson currently serves as president of Black Hills State University in Spearfish, South Dakota, a position he has held since 2014. He previously served as vice president for student affairs at both the University of Louisville and Texas A&M University Kingsville. Earlier in his career, he held administrative and faculty positions at McMurry University, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, the University of Southern California, and St. Mary’s University.
“I welcome the opportunity to work with HSU’s talented faculty and staff, alongside community members, to ensure that those life-altering opportunities are expanded for current and future students,” said Dr. Jackson.
A first-generation college student and U.S. veteran, Dr. Jackson is a graduate of Southwest Minnesota State University where he majored in business management and personnel. He holds a master’s degree in counseling/student personnel from Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania and an educational doctorate from the University of La Verne in California.
