08/05/19: Dr. Shanna Jackson, President, Nashville State Community College

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 8,300 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 that opened in 2016.  

President Jackson began her career in manufacturing working for The Pillsbury Company moving to Antioch, TN in 1994 to support their plant in Murfreesboro. An opportunity to teach business courses at South College started the path to a career in high 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 was recently appointed to board of Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee and is currently serving on the boards of Alignment Nashville, Tennessee Higher Education Initiative and the Wilson County Industrial Board. She is the former Chair for Women in Business for Williamson, Inc. and has also served as a Regional Planning Commissioner for the City of Mount Juliet.  Jackson is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Societas Docta, Inc. and Women in Higher Education in Tennessee (WHET) where she is a Presidential Advisor and former President and State Chair.  

In April 2018, Jackson was named one of 40 in the highly selective national Aspen Presidential Fellowship for Community College Excellence program.  At the local level, Jackson was recognized as a News Channel 2 Women 2 Watchand has received several awards and recognition for her leadership over the years.  

President Jackson has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a MBA from Florida A&M University and Ed. D. in Administration and Supervision from Tennessee State University.