VP for Student Life Named

Dr. Kevin P. Jackson was announced as Baylor University's new vice president for student life in mid May by Dr. David E. Garland, interim president and dean of George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor. Jackson will begin at Baylor on July 1, succeeding Dr. Samuel "Dub" Oliver, BS '87, who will become president of East Texas Baptist University on June 1.

"Kevin Jackson's experience and his commitment to helping our students integrate faith and learning will help Baylor continue its tremendous forward progress," said Garland. "I am confident that he will provide strong leadership in the division of student life and make a positive contribution to Baylor's executive team."

Jackson brings 27 years of experience to the position of vice president for student life. He will oversee the areas of campus life, student development, student learning and engagement through residence life and university ministries.

"I was drawn to this position because of Baylor's unique mission. Taking the Christian world view and integrating it into excellence in scholarship and learning speaks to me, both as an individual and as a student life professional," Jackson said.

He has served as assistant vice president for student affairs at Texas A&M since 2007. Additionally, he has served as a visiting assistant professor with Texas A&M's College of Education and Human Development since 2000.

Jackson held progressively responsible positions at Texas A&M: director of student activities from 2000-2007; special assistant to the vice president for student affairs from 1999-2000; senior associate director of the Memorial Student Center from 1990-1999; and associate director of the student center from 1987-1990.

Prior to joining Texas A&M, Jackson was with the University of Denver from 1982-1987. He earned his doctorate in educational human resource development from Texas A&M, his masters in higher education administration from the University of Denver, and his bachelors cum laude in journalism and business from the University of North Texas.

Jackson was awarded The Texas A&M Association of Former Students Distinguished Achievement Award in Student Relations and the Diversity Leadership Award from the Texas A&M University Student Government Association, and has been named a distinguished member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. He is active in the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), serving previously as chair of the NASPA Conference Career Services Committee and most recently as the Texas State Director for NASPA Region III. 

Jackson and his wife, Garret, a first-grade teacher, are the parents of three daughters. Taylor, 19, is a student at the University of Texas at Austin; Lauren, 17, will attend UT-Austin in the fall; and Emily, 15, will be a sophomore in high school.