Professor Christine Jackson continues to advocate for women in leadership

https://ilitchbusiness.wayne.edu/news-images/cjackson_grp_photo.jpgChristine Jackson, department chair and professor of management, continues to be a champion for women currently in administrative positions and for those who aspire to be. Her activity with the Michigan American Council on Education Women’s Network and Wayne Women Lead are just two latest examples of her commitment to this mission.

This past year, Jackson was selected to participate in MI-ACE Senior-Level Leadership Shadowing program as part of the 2017 cohort. The program requires that mentees shadow their mentor(s) for 50-150 hours during the year. It allows women in mid-level positions aspiring toward senior-level positions to learn from mentors, gain diverse institutional perspectives and develop knowledge and skills through observation and applied learning.

As a mentee, Jackson was matched up with two mentors, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, dean of Michigan State University’s Eli Broad College of Business and Dr. Denise Maybank, vice president of MSU’s Student Affairs and Services.

“The first-hand knowledge and experience acquired through the shadowing program directly applies to my role as a department chair,” Jackson said. “I greatly appreciate the commitment by my mentors, MI-ACE, and the Mike Ilitch School of Business for investing in my success and development as an academic leader.”

Jackson completed the program this past May.

In addition, Jackson was chosen to serve as an Institutional Representative for Wayne Women LEAD, Wayne State University’s chapter of the MI-ACE. As an IR, she will serve a two-year term with the organization, which began last month.

“Serving as an IR is great way to show my appreciation for the unique opportunity to job shadow two accomplished academic leaders,” Jackson said. “Leadership development and mentorship are two areas that I am very passionate about as demonstrated by the courses that I teach, programs I am engaged in such as the Detroit Police Department Leadership Certificate Program, and my past activities involving mentorship.”

Throughout the year, Wayne Women LEAD hosts a number of professional development workshops, one of which is an upcoming session on body language in the workplace conducted by Jackson on July 18. The workshop will focus on teaching participants how to navigate difficult conversations, read others’ body language and regulate their own body language. The capacity for the workshop has already been reached with 75 registrants.

Wayne Women LEAD is also in the process of planning two major events. The first is the Leadership Panel Luncheon in July, followed by the Women of Distinction Award Luncheon in September. The Leadership Panel Luncheon has also reached its capacity with no room for additional attendees.

Before joining the Ilitch School faculty, Jackson spent 11 years at Purdue University, where she founded and directed the Krannert Leadership Development Program.  She started the program because she noticed a number of management students were switching majors. Jackson said it wasn’t due to the difficulty of the courses, but rather because students figured out the program was not for them, and she believes mentorship could have guided them to the right major earlier.

Her research focuses on justice and fairness in the workplace. She earned her bachelor’s in psychology from Michigan State University and her Ph.D. from University of Florida in 2004, with concentrations in organizational behavior and human resource management.

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