James Jackson Joins Board

University of Michigan psychology professor James Jackson has joined the board of trustees as the first non-alumnus member since the College’s earliest days. He will serve at least one four-year term (two is typical) as a charter trustee appointed by the board.

Although Jackson, 72, is a friend and former colleague of President Phil Hanlon ’77 at Michigan, where Jackson has served in a variety of administrative positions, including director of the Institute for Social Research (2005-15), he says he and Hanlon had not been in touch about College matters before the president reached out to suggest aboard position.

“I am curious as to what it will be like to serve with bright, highly motivated people who are also trying to do right by the institution,” says Jackson. He is passionately interested, he says, in many of the pressing issues facing institutions of higher learning, particularly affordability, assuring the diversity of both the student body and faculty, and preparing students for today’s world.

“Too many students leave college with debt that cripples their careers and limits their choices. Costs are further driving a wedge between public and private education, which is something else to consider,” he says. “The issue of diversity is a vital one—not just measured by race and ethnicity but in socioeconomic terms. Beyond that we need to educate students to be good citizens in a larger environment that is almost anti-intellectual sometimes.” This will be Jackson’s first stint as a college trustee, but he brings varied experience from the National Science Board and community oversight roles with institutions including a Ronald McDonald house and a homeless shelter. An aviation lover—something he says might surprise people more than his love of Motown— the former suburban Detroit neighbor of the Marvelettes also served as a member of the Michigan Aerospace Board to preserve Michigan WW II aircraft and establish the Yankee Air Museum. His first meeting with the Dartmouth board comes in September.

Lisa Furlong