Graduate Student Spotlight: Wilton Jackson

04/07/2016

Jackson, Miss. native Wilton Jackson has joined the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) board of directors as the national student representative. “Within this role my main objective is working on behalf of the students in NABJ by being a liaison between board members and student members,” said Jackson. “The board has certain goals for the national organization, which includes NABJ putting plans in place now for the future of the organization and journalism overall.” “Also, any opportunities for students in NABJ, it’s my job to promote those opportunities and also promote the NABJ brand,” said Jackson.

 

Wilton is a master of mass communication student in the Manship School with an emphasis in sports broadcasting and sports writing. Jackson received his bachelor’s degree in multimedia journalism from the University of Southern Mississippi. After graduation, Jackson participated in the 2015 Sports Journalism Institute in preparation for an ESPN internship in which he worked in the editorial department.

 

“It’s every kid’s dream who likes sports to work at ESPN,” said Jackson. “Being there was an eye opening experience because I learned a lot about the future and digital aspects of broadcasting and what pushes the content we see on TV,” he said.

 

Although Jackson had job offers after graduation, he decided to pursue his master’s degree because he knew he would ultimately end up going back to school for an advanced degree. “When the Manship School offered me an opportunity to attend graduate school, I couldn’t pass the opportunity up,” said Jackson.

 

Jackson currently works as a graduate assistant in LSU’s Office of Diversity and covers women’s basketball for LSUSports.net. He also blogs for various websites including The Big Easy Believer, contributes to the state’s edition for USA TODAY, and blogs for The Red Diamond Report, his professional sports blog

 

When he’s not busy with all of his school and work endeavors, Jackson also has a strong passion for giving back to others. He is a fall 2012 initiate of the Kappa Iota Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated and along with his fraternity brothers have started a scholarship for four Mississippi high school students that will be awarded annually. He also has established three scholarships that include the Wilton C. Jackson Eagle Award, an award given annually to a fifth grade student at Adhiambo Elementary School in Jackson, Miss. Every year, Jackson also gives a $100 stipend to go along with the Jim Hill Award, which is given to a senior student voted on by the teachers and administrators at Jim Hill High School in Jackson, Miss. At the University of Southern Mississippi, Jackson, along with his childhood friend from middle and high school, established the Garner-Jackson Phi Eta Sigma Foundation Scholarship.