Decardra Jackson serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Richmond for the School of Professional and Continuing Studies (Education). She instructs a graduate course for aspiring school leaders Data for Decision Making. Decardra also serves as the Coordinator of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics for Petersburg City Public Schools in Virginia. Her previous roles include, Director of Assessment Literacy and Research for Richmond Public Schools (RPS) in Virginia, Director of Science Education for Virginia Initiative for Science Teaching and Achievement (VISTA) program at George Mason University, serving as a Coordinator of Assessment and Remediation and a middle school science teacher.
Decardra received a Doctorate in Education (Leadership) from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), Master’s in Educational Leadership (School Counseling) from Virginia State University and holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Science from Virginia Commonwealth University. She received a Post-Master’s certification in Administration and Supervision from Virginia Commonwealth University. Decardra areas of special interest include: Equity and access to higher education, STEM and gifted programs; Out-of-School Time and mentoring programs; Education policy; Identify intersectionality: race, class, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation and religion. For more than 12 years she has served as a Delta GEMS mentor for high school girls.