N.C. A&T Alumni Times

For more than 34 years, Anthony “TJ” Jackson ’81, ’83 has been an electrical engineer at John Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory and a dedicated volunteer teaching children in the school system to love science, technology, engineering or mathematics.

Jackson has volunteered for the Maryland Mathematics Engineering and Science Achievement Program (MESA) that benefits children in the Howard County Public School System. The program is sponsored by his department and is a third through 12 grade, STEM initiative that works to identify and support students statewide in order to prepare them to matriculate and graduate from a college or a university with a degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. The program seeks to target students who are traditionally underrepresented in these fields—specifically minority and female students. MESA students who participate in the program develop academic and leadership skills, improve their academic performance, and gain confidence in their ability to compete professionally.

Jackson who is currently the coordinator for the MESA program has led his all-girls team to win at the county and state level for STEM competitions in 2017. His team has competed in a prosthetic arm challenge that requires a robot to pick up various items and a theme park ride project constructed out of paper and marshmallows.

Jackson believes there is a national need for more students to pursue a career in STEM especially women and minorities. He is passionate about helping his students and over the years he has seen girl take STEM more seriously and become more competitive. He loves what he does and encourages others to pay it forward through service, time and treasure.