Vice President and Chief of Staff

Candace Campbell Jackson

Candace Campbell Jackson, Esq., joined the University of Akron as the Executive Assistant to President Dr. Luis Proenza in December 2003.

In 2005, she was promoted to the position Chief of Staff and in January 2007, she was promoted to Vice President and Chief of Staff.

In this role, she is primarily responsible for:

• advising the President on organizational and policy decisions;
• developing, coordinating and implementing Presidential initiatives; and
• managing the staff. 

Additionally, Ms. Jackson works closely with the Vice Presidents and the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics on operational and budgeting issues.

Ms. Jackson also serves as a part-time program officer for the GAR Foundation staff where she reviews grant applications and makes recommendations on the distribution of funds.

Formerly, Ms. Jackson was a member of in the Public Law and Corporate Departments of the law firm, Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, LLP, practicing in the Akron and Cleveland offices.

Ms. Jackson received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Akron School of Law in 1995.

In 2005, Ms. Jackson was recognized as one of the top 40 young leaders in the Northeast Ohio area by Cleveland Crain’s Business and Kaleidescope magazines for her professional accomplishments and civic contributions.

She and her husband, Mark Jackson Sr., have four children.

Professional & Civic Affiliations

• Director: Ohio Association of Nonprofit Organizations
• Director: Center for Nonprofit Excellence – Board Chair
• General Counsel: March of Dimes, Ohio Chapter
• Chairperson of Board of Trustees: Akron Community Health Center, Inc.
• Trustee: Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital, Summa Health System

Education

• The University of Akron School of Law, Akron, Ohio (J.D., 1995)
• Howard University, Washington, D.C. (B.S. - Journalism., 1988)