1991 -- Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson joins the faculty of Rutgers University as a professor of theoretical physics.

 Shirley Ann Jackson 

 FREng 

(born August 5, 1946)

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

On July 1, 1999, Jackson became the 18th president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She was the first woman and first African American to hold this position. 

Since her appointment to president of RPI, Jackson has helped raise over $1 billion in donations for philanthropic causes.^[8]
 
She is leading a strategic initiative called The Rensselaer Plan and much progress has been made towards achieving the Plan's goals. 

She has overseen a large capital improvement campaign, including the construction of an Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center costing $200 million,^[14] and the East Campus Athletic Village. 

She enjoys the ongoing support of the RPI Board of Trustees.