The 40 Under Forty Awards recognize Southernites, under the age of 40, who have made significant contributions to their professional disciplines, local communities and/or the preservation of Southern University. Established in 1880, Southern University and the A&M College System is the only historically Black university system in America (www.sus.edu).
“I am honored to have received this award and recognition from my undergraduate institution. I believe I am a part of a legacy of Black professionals who Southern University has ‘raised’ and sent out into this global society to accomplish great things,” says Jackson. “It is especially exciting for me to represent being the first Black man in the field of Communication Sciences and Disorders to receive this award from Southern. I’d like to think I’m following the footsteps of many other Black leaders, including Samuel P. Geralds, who founded the speech pathology and audiology program at Southern University and was one of the first Black men to receive a master’s degree in this field.”
Just a few of the contributions to the field of Communication Sciences and Disorders Jackson has made as a practitioner and a volunteer on the national, state and local levels include:
• developing the new Clinical Fellow Skills Inventory and the Assistants Certification Program for speech-language and audiology assistants (both launched in 2020)
• leading the Texas Speech-Language Hearing Association’s newly formed Diversity Committee
• being active in the National Black Speech-Language Hearing Association
•contributing to statements and issues relating to cultural/linguistic diversity, culturally responsive practices and Black Lives Matter.
At the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, he actively advises the National Student Speech-Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA), collaborates with other programs (Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, iLIFE and Center for Innovative Clinical Practice) on developing interprofessional education initiatives and works with the University’s Inclusivity, Diversity, Equality and Access (IDEA) Committee.
(Source: USAHS Campus Connections, Published March 25, 2021)
