Tracey Gibson-Jackson

What is your title?

Director, Student Organizations & Activities (the architect of fun!)

Month and Year You Started Working at Northwestern.

November 1, 2007 (16.5 years)

Tell us a bit about your Northwestern journey.

I started as a coordinator for all the theatre and performing arts student groups. I worked in that role for several years then was promoted to assistant director. At that time, there was no clear path forward for advancement in my area. That’s when I decided to strategically think about and work to create a path of advancement for myself. It was not quick or easy, but I stayed persistent and after a lot of hard work dismantling some of the structures and systems that were creating barriers for my advancement, I eventually became the associate director, a role which I created (that is a longer story. If you want to know more about that journey, feel free reach out and we can have lunch or coffee and I’ll tell you all about it!). By the grace of God, my winning personality and fighting spirit, I was promoted to my current role Director, Student Organizations & Activities.

What do you find the most rewarding and fulfilling about your work?

I’ve been a student affairs professional since 1996 and I absolutely love what I do! I enjoy creating engagement opportunities and experiences that help students find and build community, connectedness, and meaningful relationships that last far beyond their years at Northwestern.

Your favorite spot to visit on campus.

The lakefill on the Evanston campus. I like to watch the sail boats go by. I also sometimes stare out of the window from my office in Norris to watch and secretly judge people who fish illegally on the lakefill. If they knew what was in that water, they would think twice before eating those fish!!!! And yes, there are multiple signs that say NO fishing!

What’s something you couldn’t function without?

Prayer and meditation, English breakfast tea hot, unsweetened iced tea, honey crisp apples, and navel oranges, Lifetime Movie Network, and Little House on the Prairie. Yes I’ve seen every episode at least 100 times!

What’s on your bucket list?

I’m a huge tennis fan. I plan on going to all four major tournaments. (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and the U.S Open) Game, set, match!!!

Interesting fact about you.

I personally send out over 700 greeting cards every year. In high school I was the Philadelphia all-public city badminton singles champion.

Any organizations in which you participate at Northwestern or elsewhere.

I had the pleasure of serving on NUSAC for six years. After my tenure on NUSAC, I founded the Northwestern University Black Professionals Network (BPN) staff affinity group. We are over 350 members strong! I am also a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.