West Virginia State University Vice President and Chief of Staff Eric L. Jackson has been included in Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Heading his alma mater as the vice president and chief of staff at West Virginia State University, Jackson plays an instrumental role in the institution’s success. Having garnered more than 15 years of professional expertise in the educational and nonprofit sectors, he excels as a board liaison for the university’s board of governors and the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. Jackson also oversees the information technology staff members, the institution’s research office, communications and marketing, and overall operations.
In addition to his responsibilities as the vice president and chief of staff since early 2022, Jackson has been chairing the COVID-19 Task Force since 2020. Previously, he served as the interim chief of staff beginning in the fall of 2021 and as the director of the Title III programs and budget office. Furthermore, Jackson has chaired and co-chaired various search committees on campus and was involved in policy review and development for a federal grant program that was specific to historically black colleges and universities. He has notably been affiliated with West Virginia State University since 2007.
Looking toward the future, Jackson plans to remain in higher education either in his current position or as the president of another educational institution. A servant leader, Jackson enjoys putting the needs of his employees first, while also developing people so that they can perform at the highest level possible.
Deeply invested in his community, Jackson has served on various youth league boards and as an executive office assistant/summer camp coordinator for the Sub Area Planning Committee in Charleston, West Virginia. He has also been active with Dream Chasers, a nonprofit organization in Charleston that provides curriculum-based programming and mentors the youth so that they can overcome various obstacles and chase their dreams. Originally joining the organization as a board member, Jackson has since been named as the board president in 2017. Additionally, Jackson participates in a program called Dress for Success, where he visits area elementary schools once per month and talks to students about a variety of professional careers.
Highly educated, Jackson received a Bachelor of Arts in English language and literature at West Virginia State University in 2004 and subsequently received a Master of Public Health and Master of Business Administration at Strayer University in 2012 and 2018, respectively. Well-qualified in his career, Jackson received credentials as a project management professional through the Project Management Institute, as well as credentials through the Chief of Staff Association, in project management and diversity and inclusion from Cornell University, in grants management throughout a federal training organization called Management Concepts, and in general industry safety and health trough OSHA.
Jackson is a professional member of the Project Management Institute and the Chief of Staff Association. He is also a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. where he has notably served in numerous roles, including as a local chapter president, secretary, state and local membership selection chair, and youth outreach/community outreach chair.
In 2019, Jackson was recognized as the Mentor of the Year. He has also received several accolades from West Virginia State University and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.

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