Jennifer M. Jackson, Assistant Professor and Undergraduate Engagement Coordinator: About Me

In my 15-year career as a librarian I have had the opportunity to work as a library instruction coordinator, focus on first-year initiatives, first-year writing programs, collaborate in classroom design, manage learning commons, and lead reference training support for library employees and supervisor student workers.

Since joining UIC in 2016, my focus has been to address undergraduate student engagement for the University Library, for which I co-designed the first Undergraduate Engagement Program for the University Library. This program is intentionally designed to focus on the student success of a diverse undergraduate student population, taking a holistic approach, supporting the academic, emotional, and cultural needs of students.

As a disabled, African American, woman, advocacy of underrepresented populations is an essential aspect of my work and purpose. I served as the Chair for the UIC Chancellor's Committee on the Status of Persons with Disabilities (CCSPD) from 2019-2023.

Chancellor’s Committee for the Status of People with Disabilities (CCSPD), Co-Chair: October 2019-Present

Member & Executive Committee Member: October 2016- Present

• A campus wide advisory committee that advocates for students, faculty and staff to articulate accessibility issues in an effort to ensure continued accessibility advancement and awareness

UIC Public Safety Board, Member: September 2020-August 2022

• A campus wide advisory committee that reviews the policies, procedures, and practices of the UIC Police Department

Orientation Stakeholders Meeting, Member: October 2016-Present

• Campus wide committee that develops and evaluates orientation programming efforts for incoming first year and transfer student populations. 

Initiative to Recruit a Diverse Workforce (IRDW) Planning Committee, Member: Spring 2019

• Planning committee for IRDW two-day collaborative visit with the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) and Northwestern University, for Kaleidoscope recipients, underrepresented scholars obtaining an MLIS degree.

Library Diversity Committee, Member: January 2018-May 2018 

• Library wide committee that examines issues of diversity and inclusion in an effort to support the campus mission, goals and values.

Library Accessibility Committee, Member: October 2016-August 2018

• Library wide committee that evaluates library related accessibility issues to ensure library users have access to library resources, services and spaces

National Conference on Students in Transition, Proposal Review Committee Member: June 2017- Present  

• Reviewed and provided feedback on conference proposals and posters for the planning committee for the National Conference on Students in Transition

• Illinois Library Association, Executive Board Member: July 2018-Present
• American Library Association, Member: May 2007-Present