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The following article originally appeared in the 2021 edition of the School of Education magazine, advancing. For a PDF, please click on the magazine to the right. |
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Lifelong Educator, Lifelong Philanthropist
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Sandra (Sandi) Jackson’s heart has always been in education. A lifelong advocate for children and a nationally recognized philanthropist, it’s natural that she also serves as a passionate ambassador for one of the most innovative schools of education in the nation.
“I consider it very fortunate that my interest and skills matched up with such a great institution, and that I can contribute even if in a small way,” Jackson said. “It is an honor to be able to be part of what the School of Education is doing; I’m a whole-hearted cheerleader for everything that is being accomplished.” Jackson earned a bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy and Psychology through a combined program from Colorado State University and Stanford University. Following graduation, she worked at the University of Southern California, where she conducted further research into pediatric neurology and learning disabilities in children. At USC, she worked with Dr. Jean Ayres, a leading educational psychologist and advocate for individuals with special learning needs. |
Sandra (Sandi) Jackson, UCI Trustee and Chair, School of Education’s Dean’s Leadership Council
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For decades, Jackson has been a leader in the philanthropic community. She is past board chair of the Memorial Medical Center Foundation/Memorial Health Services and the Orange County Baron’s League of the American Cancer Society. She also served on the Board of Directors of the Opera Pacific.
In 2016, Jackson received the Outstanding Philanthropist Award by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Orange County, and the Exceptional Citizen Award from the City of Santa Ana.
Since 2004, Jackson has served on the Board of Directors for the Orangewood Foundation, a provider of servicers to current and former foster youth in Orange County. Early in the 21st century, Jackson became interested in ways to provide greater stability to foster youth. For several years, she researched school districts, nonprofits and other educational models across the U.S. and Europe to learn more about the best practices for supporting this population.
In 2016, Jackson received the Outstanding Philanthropist Award by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Orange County, and the Exceptional Citizen Award from the City of Santa Ana.
Since 2004, Jackson has served on the Board of Directors for the Orangewood Foundation, a provider of servicers to current and former foster youth in Orange County. Early in the 21st century, Jackson became interested in ways to provide greater stability to foster youth. For several years, she researched school districts, nonprofits and other educational models across the U.S. and Europe to learn more about the best practices for supporting this population.
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In interviewing foster youth, she and her colleagues learned that foster youth didn’t want a school exclusively for them, but a community school that would provide them opportunity, support and the life skills they need to succeed in the future.
Utilizing that research, Jackson – along with friend and UCI supporter Susan Samueli and the Orangewood Foundation – founded in 2013 the Samueli Academy, a free public charter school in Santa Ana for community and foster youth. From the beginning, the UCI School of Education played an integral role in the Samueli Academy’s development. Former UCI Chancellor and current UC President Michael V. Drake supported the idea of a charter school, Jackson said, and School of Education Founding Dean Deborah Lowe Vandell served on the Academy’s original steering committee and its Board of Trustees to help develop the mission and vision for the school. Today, current School of Education Dean Richard Arum serves on the Academy’s Board of Trustees and heads the Academic Committee. |
“There’s not money better spent if you’re looking to make an impact both locally and on education more generally. I invest in the School of Education because I believe it is how we impact the future, and innovative education is a powerful way to influence societal change.”
- Sandi Jackson UCI Trustee and Chair, School of Education's Dean's Leadership Council |
Now considered one of the preeminent high schools in the nation, Samueli Academy is also an original member of the School of Education’s Orange County Educational Advancement Network (OCEAN). In OCEAN, a School of Education doctoral student and faculty member work closely with school leadership to identify the greatest needs and goals of the school, and in turn conduct research that will positively impact the school. Jackson was one of the charter donors to OCEAN, who combined provided more than $1 million in seed funding to launch the network.
Jackson said the data and research conducted vis-à-vis OCEAN has a tremendous impact on Samueli Academy’s overall strategy.
“In order to have consistent, positive results for our students, we need to be flexible and routinely adjust our education model to meet student needs,” Jackson said. “We can do that because of evidence-based data collected and the guidance of UCI – they’ve had a tremendous impact. This includes data collected throughout the pandemic – we’ve been able to re-adjust and reach students who had challenges with online learning and who we previously had trouble connecting with.”
The School of Education and Samueli Academy are currently co-leading a county-wide project to improve the support for foster and housing insecure youth. Learn more here.
Jackson said the data and research conducted vis-à-vis OCEAN has a tremendous impact on Samueli Academy’s overall strategy.
“In order to have consistent, positive results for our students, we need to be flexible and routinely adjust our education model to meet student needs,” Jackson said. “We can do that because of evidence-based data collected and the guidance of UCI – they’ve had a tremendous impact. This includes data collected throughout the pandemic – we’ve been able to re-adjust and reach students who had challenges with online learning and who we previously had trouble connecting with.”
The School of Education and Samueli Academy are currently co-leading a county-wide project to improve the support for foster and housing insecure youth. Learn more here.
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Jackson began serving on the School of Education’s Dean’s Advisory Board in 2008. Over the past 13 years, she has seen the school add dozens of faculty, thousands of students, millions of dollars in research funding, and grow from a department to the No. 15 school of education in the nation, all while further embracing the community.
“The School of Education has grown incredibly,” Jackson said. “It’s remained very flexible and innovative in its vision and become an influencer both in the community and the academic world. They have innovative ideas of how to create more equitable education for all students in Orange County and create coalitions to enable the sharing of these challenges and successes widely.” Jackson said she is impressed with how the School of Education, and UCI more generally, focuses on how individual students learn. “That aligns with my background – not everyone assimilates information and retains it in the same manner,” Jackson said. “It doesn’t necessarily have to do exclusively with intelligence, it’s just how we’re wired.” |
“I am deeply grateful to Sandi for her unwavering support to the School of Education and for her leadership of the school’s Brilliant Future campaign. Her work with the Samueli Academy has improved outcomes for thousands of youths in our community, and her tireless commitment to helping underserved students is a beacon of inspiration to us all.”
- Richard Arum Dean and Professor, UCI School of Education |
Since 2015, Jackson has served as the Chair of the School of Education’s Dean’s Leadership Council, and more recently as a trustee on the UCI Foundation Board. She sees her role as that of an ambassador, and someone who informs and enlightens the community about the various facets of the School of Education.
“Most people have an interest in education if they are aware of the impact and scope of what is being accomplished. “Jackson said. “There’s not money better spent if you’re looking to make an impact both locally and on education more generally. I invest in the School of Education because I believe it is how we impact the future, and innovative education is a powerful way to influence societal change.”
“Most people have an interest in education if they are aware of the impact and scope of what is being accomplished. “Jackson said. “There’s not money better spent if you’re looking to make an impact both locally and on education more generally. I invest in the School of Education because I believe it is how we impact the future, and innovative education is a powerful way to influence societal change.”
