Nikki R. Jackson Named To Maricopa Community Colleges' Top HR Position

Tempe, AZ – Acting on the recommendation of Chancellor Rufus Glasper, the Maricopa Community Colleges' Governing Board approved the hiring of Nikki R. Jackson, J.D. to become the district's Vice Chancellor for Human Resources. Ms. Jackson now serves as the Personnel Cabinet Secretary to the Governor of Kentucky. The Board's action occurred at its December 14 meeting.

Ms. Jackson is the youngest Cabinet Secretary and first African-American woman to head the Cabinet in Kentucky's history.

She has 14 years of human resources experience, including private sector positions with Norton Healthcare, Philip Morris USA, Georgia-Pacific Corporation and ADP.

"The Maricopa Community Colleges are an organization in the midst of significant change, and we need a transformative human resources leader to help us achieve our goals. Nikki Jackson is that kind of leader," Dr. Glasper said. "I believe she can play an important role in helping us become more efficient and effective, ultimately resulting in helping our students become more successful."

Ms. Jackson earned her Bachelor's Degree from Hampton University and a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Miami School of Law. She earned certification in collective bargaining from Cornell University's School of Industrial Relations, and began her career as a labor and employment lawyer in Florida. As Kentucky's Personnel Cabinet Secretary, she spearheaded the transformation of human resources within state government. She created the Center for Strategic Innovation, an in-house consulting "firm" focused on creating efficiencies, re-engineering antiquated work practices and promoting innovation in all cabinet services.

She also has forged public-private partnerships including the University of Kentucky's Institute for Workplace Innovation; an initiative called, "When Work Works," designed to promote Kentucky employers in the global marketplace; and The Leadership Institute, a year-long program that helps improve the managerial skills of cabinet leaders.

Ms. Jackson is expected to begin work for the District Feb. 1, 2011.

Ms. Jackson has been a keynote speaker, nationally and regionally, on the subject of transformative human resources. She has written several articles on transformative and strategic human relations. Because of her success in changing Kentucky's HR practice, she was invited to Korea to discuss strategic human resources at the Korean Institute for Public Finance. She has received a number of awards in Kentucky for her leadership and was named one of two delegates representing Kentucky at the American Conversation on Women and Leadership last month.

2010 Dec 15 For Immediate Release Contact: Tom Gariepy (480) 731-8248 tom.gariepy@domail.maricopa.edu