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The award honors 10 outstanding students in the Tuition Assistance Program who attend independent colleges in New York State. In October 2015, Jackson received the College’s Serviam Award, which highlights extraordinary volunteer service to family, church, school, community, or society.
Jackson, a business major and vice president of the sophomore class, balances academics with a number of extracurricular commitments. As president of the Black Student Union, she has helped raise breast cancer awareness, promoted World AIDS Day, and spearheaded initiatives such as Sister to Sister, during which African-American entrepreneurs gave presentations on launching a business.
Creating relationships is one of Jackson’s strengths. As a resident assistant, she finds ways for her peers to bond (smoothie nights and healthy cooking classes) and offers support during times of social or academic difficulty.
Jackson is a dedicated volunteer at Family Services of Yonkers’ Kinship Support Center, which offers programs for grandparents and relatives who are raising children. Over the years she’s served in a number of roles at the center, from summer camp counselor to after-school tutor to assisting with the center.
“I wanted to give back to a program that did so much for me,” Jackson said. “My great grandmother raised me and I saw all the sacrifices she made. She was a strong supporter of the center and even went to Albany to lobby for it. I want to walk in her footsteps by giving back and helping other people.”
Jackson said she was astonished to win the award and scholarship: “You never see what other people see in you,” she said. “When I explain to people everything that I’m involved with, they look at me and ask me how I do it all. Then I think, ‘Really? I did all that?”
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