Michigan State University College of Education Dean Jerlando F. L. Jackson was named an American Educational Research Association (AERA) Fellow in February 2024. The honor recognizes scholars for their “exceptional contributions to, and excellence in, education research,” said AERA in a news release.
Jackson was one of three Michigan State University Spartans named to this year’s cohort. University Distinguished Professor Patricia A. Edwards and Professor Lisa Linnenbrink-Garcia were also selected as honorees. Together, they join 24 scholars nationwide who were named AERA Fellows this year.
The MSU College of Education has nine current and emeritus faculty members holding the AERA Fellow title.
“Patricia Edwards, Jerlando Jackson and Lisa Linnenbrink-Gracia are distinguished, creative, and impactful scholars,” said Ann E. Austin. Austin is a University Distinguished Professor and an AERA Fellow. “Through their work as researchers and leaders, each is making significant contributions in advancing more effective, inclusive, and equitable educational experiences for children, young people, and adults. The faculty, staff, and students in the MSU College of Education are very proud of Pat, Jerlando, and Lisa and applaud this exciting honor they have received.”
In his research, Jackson is committed to harnessing the transformative power of education and fostering an innovative, enriching and supportive organizational culture for faculty, staff and students to optimize their professional growth.
Notable Accolades
Jackson became the ninth dean of the MSU College of Education in 2022. He was named an MSU Research Foundation Professor in 2023.
Since assuming leadership, Jackson has continued the college’s legacy of leadership, scholarship and service. In particular, his efforts have focused on interdisciplinary and cross-college collaborations, as well as impacts and outreach efforts throughout the state, nation and world.
He has also continued his research as the director and chief research scientist for the Organizational Disparities Laboratory. For example, in 2023, he was the lead author of an article in the Journal of Women and Minorities in Science and Engineering that explored African American males’ attitudes toward the scientific workforce.
Prior to joining MSU, Jackson was the Rupple-Bascom Professor of Education and Vilas Distinguished Professor of Higher Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He also served as chair of the Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis department and the director and chief research scientist of Wisconsin’s Equity and Inclusion Laboratory (Wei LAB).
In addition to the AERA Fellow honor, Jackson is also an elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2021) and a Sigma Xi Scientific Research Honor Society member.
“It is an honor to be selected as an AERA Fellow,” said Jackson. “As educational researchers, we strive to initiate change through our work and to improve the field and the contexts in which we work and teach. This recognition by the AERA Fellows Committee illustrates resounding impact across decades of research. I am grateful to be recognized alongside esteemed peers in this organization.”
