UC professor wins communication lifetime achievement award
A&S Dean Emeritus Ronald Jackson II recognized for contributions to study of human communication
By Jenn Cammel
Ronald L. Jackson II, professor of Communication in the University of Cincinnati’s College of Arts and Sciences, has been awarded a 2020 Distinguished Scholar Award for lifetime achievement by the National Communication Association (NCA).
The annual award is the association’s highest honor and will be given to Jackson, former president of the NCA, at the 106th Annual Convention to be held virtually on Nov. 21. The award honors a lifetime of scholarly achievement in the study of human communication.
Founded in 1914, the NCA is dedicated to the advancement of communication by supporting the teaching and research of those learning and practicing the discipline. Currently the NCA has 7,000 members.
Jackson has been involved with the NCA since 1994, and says he was thrilled to find out that he was a recipient of the recognition.
UC professor of Communication Ronald L. Jackson II
“The NCA is the largest academic association in the world dedicated to the study and practice of communication. It was at the NCA convention where I began most of my enduring friendships with communication colleagues,” Jackson said. “I was honored to serve as NCA president a few years ago, and this was one of the biggest blessings of my career.
“We were able to do great work with respect to developing a new communication research center, a video series of communication concepts, a scholarship to university students in the region where we have our conferences, et cetera. So, to be honored by this association after spending over 25 years committing myself to its success is really quite wonderful.”
Jackson, dean emeritus of A&S, is the author of 17 books, including “Black Comics: Politics of Race and Representation” (co-edited with scholar and author Sheena C. Howard), which explores the black experience, gender identity and politics through the medium of comics. “Black Comics” won Comic-Con International’s Will Eisner Award for Academic Scholarly Work in 2013. Jackson also is past co-editor of the academic journal “Critical Studies in Media Communication.”
A&S Dean Valerio Ferme says it is no surprise that Jackson is being honored.
“Anyone who reads Dr. Jackson's CV cannot help but be impressed by the breadth and quality of his research, teaching and service,” Ferme said.
Communication department head Steve Depoe, adds: “Dr. Jackson has had a profound impact on the communication discipline through exceptional and extensive mentoring, publishing and service.”
Throughout his career, Jackson has taught and mentored students, researched topics related to race, masculinity, identity negotiation, whiteness and Afrocentricity and has helped propel the field of communication forward.
“I can say I am very proud of all the MA and PhD students I have advised that have gone on to do great things,” Jackson says. “I am proud of the many books that I have written that have introduced the legacy of Black intellectualism to the academy. Finally, I am proud of having been NCA president, which is a crowning achievement of my career.”
Featured image at top: Aerial view of the University of Cincinnati's Uptown Campus.
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