Dr. Arrick Jackson, associate professor of Criminal Justice and Sociology, said it’s important to have confidence in yourself and to seek new challenges always. Considering his impressive résumé, it would benefit students to heed his advice.
Jackson said his main inspiration in pursuing criminal justice was Dr. Carter G. Woodson.
“Dr. Woodson stated that African-Americans should strive to study criminal justice because they are more likely to be significantly impacted by its policies and procedures. I had originally planned to be a police officer, but once I got involved in the classes I discovered that so many problems are unresolved. I felt that I could make a contribution to the field.”
Jackson certainly has been successful in his contributions to the field. His areas of interest are sexual violence; policing; shame, guilt and empathy among offenders; and ethnic conflict. He was named to Who’s Who Among American Teachers in 2005, received the Department of Criminal Justice and Sociology Service Award from Southeast in 2005, won the Silver President’s Volunteer Award in 2005 and the Gold President’s Volunteer Award in 2006. He was a project director in the Social and Economic Sciences Research Center at Washington University from 1996 to 1999, and is currently the president of the Southeast Missouri Network Against Sexual Violence and has served as the president of Southeast Missouri Weed and Seed. Jackson also has presented research papers in Las Vegas, Chicago, Seattle, St. Louis and Cape Girardeau which has led to numerous publications in scholarly journals and $240,000 in grants.
Jackson was born in Saginaw, Mich., and attained a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice from the University of Alaska in Fairbanks. He earned both a master’s of science degree in criminal justice and a doctoral degree in political science from Washington State University in Pullman, Wash. He currently lives in Jackson, Mo.
Jackson has been a professor for eight years and said he chose a career in education because he wanted to influence students’ thinking.
“I felt I could have a greater impact on society as a teacher. It also allows me to conduct research in the areas I’m interested in. Southeast has provided a platform for me to operate from. As president of the Southeast Missouri Network Against Sexual Violence, I’ve seen the agency’s impact on the lives of children and families. It has encouraged me to bring my experience to the classroom and motivate others to do the same.”
Jackson said his teaching style is Socratic, which means he urges students to explore complex ideas, encourages them to ask questions in return and attempts to open up issues and problems.
“I ask students questions and we work through the process of developing answers that are well informed. My teaching philosophy is ‘firm but fair.’ I love to push and challenge students so their learning experience will be a rewarding one.”
Jackson said his favorite book is Animal Farm by George Orwell, a novel of satirical allegories to Soviet totalitarianism. He said he enjoys running, rowing and playing racquetball. While he’s lived in several states in the U.S. and has visited several countries, he said he has more traveling to do.
“I lived in Uijongbu, Korea, for two years while serving in the U.S. Army as an airborne artillery soldier. I’ve traveled to Canada, Japan and Germany, but I would really like to visit Africa and Australia.”
Jackson said he loves to work for the community and is excited when he sees change take place. He said he encourages his students to strive for the same results.
“I speak with so many students who are not sure of what the world will provide them. However, if they are looking for the world to provide something, their visions are misplaced. All that they need, they already have.”