SPC’s second female president, Dr. Gloria Jackson, celebrates birthday

Dr. Gloria M. Jackson, the second female president of St. Philip’s College, led the institution from 1982 to 1984. May 20, 2022 marks her 91st birthday. St. Philip’s College celebrates her contributions and service to the college. 

Dr. Gloria Jackson graduated from Prairie View A&M College (now Prairie View A&M University) with a bachelor’s degree in home economics with additional studies in elementary education. She took a position in Bastrop as a Negro Home Demonstration Agent – a county extension agent who visited and assisted rural families with food processing, youth development, farming and livestock management.

When her husband was hired at Alcorn State University in Mississippi, Jackson accompanied him and they both worked for the historically black institution. She later decided to earn a master’s degree and the state of Mississippi helped fund her pursuit at Indiana University.

In 1973, Dr. Jackson left Alcorn State, where she was a full professor and relocated to San Antonio. She joined SPC as an assistant professor in the Business Department. She later became department chair and held various leadership positions. She was selected as President of St. Philip’s College and led for two years. 

She left St. Philip’s in 1984 to work for ACCD Chancellor Dr. Byron McClenney on special projects, including the opening of Palo Alto College in 1985.  Dr. Jackson found that she missed teaching and interacting with students, so she took a faculty position at San Antonio College. Her retirement in 1999, marked her 50th year in education. 

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