Shanna Jackson

Dr. Shanna Jackson began serving as president of Nashville State Community College on June 1, 2018. Nashville State is a comprehensive community college that serves over 8,000 students throughout its seven-county, six-campus service region. Prior to her appointment, Jackson served as the associate vice president and chief operating officer of the Williamson Campus for Columbia State Community College. Jackson provided leadership from concept to construction for the $42 million campus, which opened in 2016.

President Jackson began her career in manufacturing working for the Pillsbury Company and General Mills. An opportunity to teach business courses part time started the path to a career in higher education that spans more than 20 years. Jackson brings to the position extensive administration, teaching, workforce, and community development experience, which includes leadership positions with Columbia State Community College, Volunteer State Community College, and South College.

Actively engaged in the community, Jackson serves on the boards of Alignment Nashville, Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, Tennessee Higher Education Initiative, and Wilson County Industrial Board, and is on the advisory councils for Nashville’s Leadership Public Education and SCORE. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., International Women’s Forum, Nashville’s Agenda, and Women in Higher Education in Tennessee, where she is a presidential advisor and former president and state chair.

Jackson earned a bachelor of science in business administration and an MBA from Florida A&M University and an Ed.D. in administration and supervision from Tennessee State University. She resides in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, with Ron, her husband of 23 years. They are parents to daughter Cara and son Ryan.

Dr. Jackson was a rising presidents fellow in the 2018-19 Aspen Presidential Fellowship for Community College Excellence.