Dr. Shalay Jackson joined the FSU College of Social Work faculty in 2018, coming back to Florida State where her interest in social work began. Dr. Jackson recalls, “I was challenged, supported and inspired by a compassionate community of faculty, staff, students and alumni” while receiving her BSW (2006) at Florida State and later honing her skills while earning an MSW from the University of Michigan. She later completed her doctoral degree in public health in 2017 from University of South Florida, with a focus on community and family health.

A decade prior to coming to FSU, she worked as a school social worker with the Citrus County School Board counseling more than 3,000 students at four schools in the county to promote student academic, social, emotional and physical well-being. She also taught as an adjunct professor at Saint Leo University’s Social Work and Human Services Programs.

She has also sought to bridge the gap between research and practice in school social work throughout her career. As a scholar with the Institute for Translational Research in Adolescent Behavioral Health, she worked with the Mendez Foundation conducting research gathering data on barriers and facilitators to implement prevention programming adaptations.  She has also led a research project utilizing a Professional Learning Community to understand the changing role of school social workers.

Rejoining the social work community at FSU, Dr. Jackson brings rich experience in macro social work and a dedication to students, particularly to create the same experience for her students in the college. Her commitment to students and social work education, is also paired with her deep interest in and sharing how policies, norms, and systems impacts clients, families, and communities.

Dr. Jackson is an active contributor to professional organizations specializing in macro practice.  She serves on the Board of Directors for the Association for Community Organization and Social Action (ACOSA) as the Macro Social Work Student Network Liaison, providing support to all chapters across the country.  She is also an active member of the Special Commission to Advance Macro Practice in Social Work Macro Workforce Work Group. The work group has set goals for 2022 and 2023 to increase the number of macro social workers through education, advocacy and direct action.

Her experience in macro social work and research directly impacts her approach to teaching, engaging social work students starting in the classroom, mentorship and as young professionals. “I challenge everyone to embrace their dual role as teacher and learner in any learning community. We all have knowledge to contribute,” she explained. Dr. Jackson’s teaching approach encompasses four pillars – connection, authenticity, responsibility and enthusiasm, qualities she presents as an instructor.

She not only holds these tenants as central to her teaching approach, but is keen to increase students’ self-awareness not only in the classroom, but how they relate to what they are learning and how they can apply it in the real world. This awareness is also what she enjoys most, learning about students’ passion, mentoring them and witnessing their growth.

By creating an environment for taking risks, seeking answers, demonstrating creativity and having fun while learning, Dr. Jackson is eager to see social work students step forward to be the next generation of social workers at micro, mezzo and macro levels.