Cathy M. Jackson, associate professor at Norfolk State University, teaches courses in media writing, multiculturalism and the mass media, media ethics, film history and criticism, and the history of the African-Americans in movies. Her scholarly interests, which are related to the mass media, include its existence in the Old West, history, folklore, diversity, and coverage of Old West outlaws. She has published articles and book chapters, and her expertise on Jesse James, the 19th-century outlaw, won her the 2005 James-Younger Gang Milton Perry Award for Outstanding Research, in addition to an appearance on a 2006 American Experience documentary “Jesse James,” and 2011 segment of the Travel Channel’s Mysteries at the Museum. Her career in newspapers included stints as a general assignment and features reporter at the Flint (Michigan) Journal and as a features reporter at the Tampa Tribune. She has freelanced for several publications, including ESSENCE Magazine, for which she wrote an article that earned her an invitation to appear on the Oprah Winfrey Show in 1988.
Offices
• Elected to serve as vice president of the Faculty Senate, Norfolk State University, December 2012.
Research presentations
• Jackson, C.M. “It’s a Journey, Not a Destination: Sourcing in Diverse Communities and Politics.” Invited research presented at the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, the Commission on the Status of Minorities, Washington, D.C., August 2013.
• Jackson, C.M. “Through a Glass Darkly: A Historical Glimpse into the Internecine Racism of Claude McKay’s Home to Harlem.” Presented at the Association for Core Texts and Courses annual convention, Ottawa, Canada, April 2013.
• Jackson, C.M. “Beyond Missouri, Beyond Death: Late 19th-Century Newspaper Provide Pattern for the Immortalization of Jesse James as Dime Novel Hero.” Presented at the American Journalism Historians Association convention, Raleigh, NC, October 2012.
• Jackson, C.M. “Ladies or Wenches?: Black Women in Reconstruction Strove for One, Lived the Other.” Presented to the national convention of Association for the Study of African American Life and History, Pittsburgh, PA, September 2012.
• Jackson, C.M. “Chicago Giants of the Industry: Ida B. Wells, Bill Foster, and Oscar Micheaux.” Paper presented at the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications’ Media and Economics and Minorities and Communication divisions, Chicago, IL, August 2012.
• Jackson, C.M. “Forever Undead: Hollywood’s Iconic American Outlaw Rides Into the Twilight of Another Day Spreading Teutonic Myths of Racial Superiority.” Presented to Multi Ethnic Society for Europe and the Americas, Barcelona, Spain, July 2012.
Associate Professor|
Norfolk State University
From January 2011 to Current • 15 year(s)
Teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in journalism, ethics, and mass communications. Serves on various university committees and develops special topics courses.
Assistant Professor|
Norfolk State University
From January 1998 to December 2011 • 13 year(s)
Taught undergraduate and graduate journalism courses including ethics, reporting, and mass media history. Served on steering committees and advisory boards.
Free-lance Staff Writer|
BlackAmericaWeb.com
From January 2004 to December 2004 • 0 year(s)
Wrote freelance articles for online publication.
Graduate Research Assistant|
University of Missouri
From January 1995 to December 1998 • 3 year(s)
Conducted literature reviews and research on journalism topics including narrative tradition, multicultural journalism approaches, and race and media coverage.
Copy Editor|
Columbia Missourian
From June 1997 to August 1997 • 0 year(s)
Copy edited and laid out editorial pages during summer position.
Graduate Research Assistant|
University of Missouri
From January 1995 to December 1996 • 1 year(s)
Conducted visual surveys of newspaper minority coverage and compiled findings for editorial decision-making.
Freelance Writer|
The Charlotte Observer
From January 1990 to December 1995 • 5 year(s)
Wrote self-generated and assigned magazine cover stories on Charlotte's African American neighborhoods and culture.
Journalism Instructor|
Johnson C. Smith University
From January 1990 to December 1995 • 5 year(s)
Taught reporting, feature writing, African American press history, copyediting, and design. Advised student newspaper.
Features Reporter|
The Charlotte Observer
From June 1995 to August 1995 • 0 year(s)
Wrote feature stories and learned computer reporting techniques during American Press Institute internship.
Copy Editor and Paginator|
The Portland Oregonian
From June 1995 to August 1995 • 0 year(s)
Edited news and feature copy, paginated pages, and mentored summer interns through ASNE fellowship.
Freelance Writer|
Urban Business Magazine
From January 1988 to December 1990 • 2 year(s)
Wrote self-generated and assigned stories for various publications including Essence Magazine.
Features Reporter|
The Tampa Tribune
From January 1987 to December 1989 • 2 year(s)
Developed feature stories for lifestyle sections and handled general assignment reporting. Created Tribune's first beat covering African American communities.
General Assignment/Features Reporter|
The Flint Journal
From January 1981 to December 1987 • 6 year(s)
Served as features reporter for lifestyle section and covered community events, social services, education, and civil rights issues.
