AT&T Bell Laboratories
Jackson joined the Theoretical Physics Research Department at AT&T Bell Laboratories in 1976,examining the fundamental properties of various materials. [8] She began her time at Bell Labs by studying materials to be used in the semiconductor industry. [9] She worked in the Scattering and Low Energy Physics Research Department from 1978,and moved to the Solid State and Quantum Physics Research Department in 1988. At Bell Labs,Jackson researched the optical and electronic properties of two-dimensional and quasi-two-dimensional systems. [4]
Jackson served on the faculty at Rutgers University in Piscataway and New Brunswick,New Jersey from 1991 to 1995,in addition to continuing to consult with Bell Labs on semiconductor theory. [8] Her research during this time focused on the electronic and optical properties of two-dimensional systems.
Although some sources claim that Jackson conducted scientific research while working at Bell Laboratories that enabled others to invent the portable fax,touch-tone telephone,solar cells,fiber optic cables,and the technology behind caller ID and call waiting, [10] [11] [12] Jackson herself makes no such claim. [13] Moreover,these telecommunications advancements significantly predated her arrival at Bell Labs in 1976,with these six specifically enumerated inventions actually occurring by others in the time frame between 1954 and 1970. [14]
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
On July 1,1999,Jackson became the 18th president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). She was the first woman and first African American to hold this position. Since her appointment to president of RPI,Jackson has helped raise over $1 billion in donations for philanthropic causes. [9]
She led the development of a strategic initiative called The Rensselaer Plan and much progress has been made towards achieving the Plan's goals. She oversaw a large capital improvement campaign,including the construction of an Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center costing $200 million, [18] and the East Campus Athletic Village.
On April 26,2006,the faculty of RPI (including a number of ‘’emeritus’’faculty) voted 155 to 149 against a vote of no-confidence in Jackson. [19]
After arriving at RPI,Jackson's salary and benefits expanded from $423,150 in 1999–2000 to over $1.3 million in 2006–2007. [20] [21] In 2011 Jackson's salary was $1.75 million. [22] In 2006–07,and it is estimated she received another $1.3 million from board seats at several major corporations. [20] The announcement of layoffs at RPI in December 2008 led some in the RPI community to question whether the institute should continue to compensate Jackson at that level,maintain a residence in the Adirondacks for her,and continue to support a personal staff. [20] Her presidency created much controversy in the student body;in 2011,the RPI Student Senate passed a motion to request that the administration to review her performance and consider her removal due to a “broad sense of dissatisfaction and low morale among students,faculty,staff and alumni,particularly in opposition to the Institute and President Jackson’s leadership" and her "top down leadership,[and] abrasive style." [23]
On December 4–5,2009 Jackson celebrated her tenth year at RPI with a "Celebration Weekend," which featured tribute concerts by Aretha Franklin and Joshua Bell among other events. [24] [25] Following the weekend,the board of trustees announced they would support construction of a new guest house on Jackson's property,for the purpose of "[enabling] the presidents to receive and entertain,appropriately,Rensselaer constituents,donors,and other high-level visitors." [26] The trustees said that "the funds for this new project would not have been available for any other purpose." [26] William Walker,the school's Vice President of Strategic Communications and External Relations noted "The Board sees this very much as a long-term investment... for President Jackson and her successors." [27]
On February 2,2010,the Troy Zoning Board of Appeals denied RPI's request for a zoning variance allowing them to construct the new house at a height of 44 feet (13 m),which would exceed the 25-foot (7.6 m) height restriction on buildings in residential areas. The zoning board stated that it is "too big," and two firefighters believed the property would be difficult to access with emergency vehicles. [28] A new plan was announced on February 25,describing how the president's house will be replaced with a new two-story house. [29] The new house will have "9,600 square feet of livable space,divided approximately equally between living space for the president's family and rooms for the president to conduct meetings and events." [30]
In June 2010,it was announced that the Rensselaer Board of Trustees unanimously voted to extend Jackson a ten-year contract renewal,which she accepted. [31] Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson's compensation ranked first among US private university presidents in 2014. [32]
A 2015 Money.com article cited Jackson as the highest-paid college President and "took home a base salary of $945,000 plus another $276,474 in bonuses,$31,874 in nontaxable benefits". [33]
In the fall of 2018,another contract extension was approved by the board of trustees through the end of June 2022. [34]
On June 25,2021,Jackson publicly announced she would be stepping down from her post as president as of July 1,2022,after 23 years. [35]
