Shirley Ann Jackson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shirley Ann Jackson
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| Chair of the President's Intelligence Advisory Board | |
| In office August 29, 2014 – January 20, 2017 Serving with Jami Miscik
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | David Boren Chuck Hagel |
| Succeeded by | Steve Feinberg |
| President of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | |
| In office July 1, 1999 – July 1, 2022 |
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| Preceded by | Cornelius Barton |
| Succeeded by | Martin A. Schmidt |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 5, 1946 Washington, D.C. |
| Spouse | Morris Washington |
| Education | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (BS, MS, PhD) |
Shirley Ann Jackson (born August 5, 1946) is an American physicist. She was the 18th president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). She is known for being the first African American woman to earn a doctorate degree in Theoretical Elementary Particle Physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). She was also the first African American woman to get a PhD from MIT in any field. Dr. Jackson is also the second African American woman in the United States to earn a doctorate in physics.
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Early Life and Education
Shirley Ann Jackson was born in Washington, D.C.. She went to Roosevelt Senior High School. After finishing high school in 1964, she went to MIT.
At MIT, she studied theoretical physics. She earned her Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in 1968. Jackson then continued her studies at MIT for her doctorate. She received her Ph.D. degree in nuclear physics in 1973.
This made her the first African American woman to earn a doctorate degree from MIT. Her research was guided by Professor James Edward Young. She was also the second African American woman in the U.S. to earn a doctorate in physics.
Jackson was featured on the PBS show "Finding Your Roots". In 2002, Discover magazine named her one of the 50 most important women in science.
Career Highlights
Work at Bell Laboratories
In 1976, Dr. Jackson joined the Theoretical Physics Research Department at AT&T Bell Laboratories. She studied the basic properties of different materials. She started by looking at materials used in the semiconductor industry.
Later, she worked in the Scattering and Low Energy Physics Research Department starting in 1978. In 1988, she moved to the Solid State and Quantum Physics Research Department. At Bell Labs, Jackson researched how light and electricity behave in certain materials.
From 1991 to 1995, Jackson also taught at Rutgers University. She continued to advise Bell Labs on semiconductor theory during this time. Her research focused on how two-dimensional systems behave with light and electricity.
It is sometimes said that Jackson's research at Bell Laboratories led to inventions like the portable fax or caller ID. However, Dr. Jackson herself does not make these claims. These inventions were actually developed by others before she joined Bell Labs in 1976.
Leading the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
In 1995, President Bill Clinton chose her to be the chairman of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). This made her the first woman and first African American to hold this important position. At the NRC, she was in charge of all NRC actions during emergencies involving nuclear materials.
While at the commission, Jackson also helped create the International Nuclear Regulators Association. She served as the chairperson for this association from 1997 to 1999. This group included top nuclear officials from countries like Canada, France, Germany, and Spain.
President of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
On July 1, 1999, Dr. Jackson became the 18th president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). She was the first woman and first African American to lead RPI. During her time as president, Jackson helped raise over $1 billion in donations for the university.
She created a plan called The Rensselaer Plan. This plan aimed to improve the university in many ways. She also oversaw major building projects. These included the Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center and the East Campus Athletic Village.
Some students and faculty at RPI expressed concerns about her leadership style. In 2011, the RPI Student Senate asked for a review of her performance. They noted a "broad sense of dissatisfaction" among students, faculty, and staff.
In June 2010, the RPI Board of Trustees voted to extend her contract for ten more years. In 2015, Money.com reported that she was the highest-paid college president.
In 2018, her contract was extended again until June 2022. On June 25, 2021, Dr. Jackson announced she would step down as president on July 1, 2022. She served for 23 years.
The Nature Conservancy
In February 2020, Dr. Jackson joined the Global Board of The Nature Conservancy. This organization works to protect nature. She is expected to serve on this board until October 2029.
Awards and Recognitions
Dr. Jackson has received many honors throughout her career. She has been awarded several fellowships, including the National Science Foundation Traineeship. She was elected to important groups like the American Philosophical Society. In 2014, she received the National Medal of Science. This is one of the highest honors for scientists in the U.S.
In the early 1990s, she received the Thomas Alva Edison Science Award. This was for her work in physics and for promoting science. She was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1998. This recognized her contributions as a scientist and advocate for education and public policy.
She received a Candace Award for Technology in 1982. In 2001, she was given the Richtmyer Memorial Award by the American Association of Physics Teachers. She has also received 53 honorary doctorate degrees.
In 2007, she was awarded the Vannevar Bush Award. This award recognized her lifetime achievements in scientific research, education, and public policy. In 2009, President Barack Obama appointed her to the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. This group advises the president on science policy.
She became an International Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (FREng) in 2012. In 2018, she received the W.E.B DuBois medal. In 2019, she was given the Joseph A. Burton Forum Award.
In 2021, she received the Hans Christian Oersted Medal. This award is for outstanding contributions to the teaching of physics. Also in 2021, she received the Clark Kerr Award for her leadership in higher education.
Personal Life
Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson is married to Dr. Morris A. Washington. He is a physics professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. They have one adult son. She is a member of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority.
Philanthropy
In 2019, Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson and her husband were honored. They were named to the first class of the Capital Region Philanthropy Hall of Fame. This recognized their generous support of good causes.
See also
In Spanish: Shirley Ann Jackson para niños
