Her Story
About Susan
Susan Jackson currently serves as Deputy Superintendent for Goose Creek CISD in Baytown, Texas, bringing more than three decades of experience to her leadership of districtwide curriculum and instruction initiatives. Her path into education began unexpectedly early, when her mother successfully petitioned the local school board to allow her to enroll in college coursework while still in high school, an experience that shaped her lifelong belief in expanding access to advanced academic opportunities for students. That belief became a defining feature of her career: under her leadership, dual credit enrollment across the district grew from a modest 60 seats to more than 4,000, giving thousands of students, including many first-generation college-goers, a head start toward higher education, military service, or skilled careers. She now serves as president of the Texas Dual Credit Association, where she organizes statewide conferences aimed at broadening dual credit access beyond her own district. Jackson's career has been marked as much by her ability to turn around struggling schools as by her role as a trailblazer. She made history as the first female high school principal in Baytown, stepping into a position where her capability to lead a campus of 2,400 students was initially questioned because of her gender. She answered those doubts with results, raising one campus's performance rating from the low 60s into the high 80s through systemic instructional improvements. Along the way, she completed her master's degree in Secondary School Administration and Principalship at Stephen F. Austin State University and, more recently, her Doctor of Education at the University of Houston-Clear Lake. She credits mentors such as Dr. Randal O'Brien and Dr. Melissa Duarte, along with the unwavering support of her family, for encouraging her to pursue graduate study and step into positions of greater leadership. Beyond her formal role, Jackson is deeply engaged in her community, holding memberships with the Texas Association of School Boards, the Texas Association of School Administrators, Kiwanis, and multiple regional chambers of commerce, while also supporting organizations such as Communities In Schools, a Baytown homeless shelter for women, and Raise Your Hand Texas. She is especially passionate about mentoring the next generation of leaders, with particular attention to helping women rise within a field where senior leadership remains largely male-dominated. As she looks toward her next professional chapter, whether in a superintendency or beyond the public sector, Jackson remains guided by a conviction that has anchored her entire career: that lifting up even a single student or emerging leader can change the course of a family for generations to come. Her contributions to education have earned her recognition as a featured honoree by Influential Women for 2026.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Susan
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the extraordinary people who believed in me, challenged me, and invested in my growth throughout my life and career. I have been blessed to learn from exceptional leaders both women and men whose guidance, encouragement, and willingness to open doors shaped the leader I am today. I am especially grateful to mentors such as Dr. Ray O'Brien, Dr. Melissa Duarte, and Dr. Michelle Peters, whose confidence in my abilities and steadfast support inspired me to pursue opportunities beyond what I thought possible. Dr. Peters' mentorship during my doctoral studies at the University of Houston–Clear Lake was especially meaningful. She guided me through one of the most rigorous and rewarding experiences of my professional life, continually encouraging me to persevere, think critically, and grow as both a scholar and a leader.
Equally important has been the unwavering support of my family. My mother's determination to advocate before the school board so I could enroll in college courses while still in high school taught me the power of perseverance and the life changing impact of believing in someone's potential. That lesson has remained with me throughout my career. While hard work, resilience, and determination have certainly been essential, I know that no one succeeds alone. The encouragement, wisdom, and generosity of mentors, colleagues, friends, and family have shaped every step of my journey. Their belief in me inspires my commitment to pay that investment forward by mentoring and developing future leaders, especially aspiring women leaders, while fostering the growth and success of all who are called to serve. I believe leadership is not about individual achievement but about creating opportunities for others to thrive, and I strive each day to leave doors open a little wider for those who follow.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received came from leaders who saw potential in me long before I saw it in myself. Early in my career, my principal encouraged me to pursue my master's degree, opening the door to leadership opportunities I had never imagined. Years later, Dr. Ray O'Brien challenged me again this time to earn my doctorate. At each stage of my journey, someone believed I was capable of more than I believed myself to be. Looking back, I realize the greatest advice wasn't simply to earn another degree; it was to never place limits on my own potential. I learned to embrace challenges, persevere through uncertainty, and say "yes" to opportunities that felt intimidating. That lesson has shaped not only my career but also the way I lead today. I strive to recognize potential in others, encourage them to pursue goals they may not yet see for themselves, and remind them that growth often begins just outside their comfort zone.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering education is to lead with courage, purpose, and authenticity. This profession is not always easy, but it is one of the most rewarding careers you can choose because every day you have the opportunity to change lives. Never underestimate the impact you can have on a child, a family, or an entire community. For me, there is nothing more meaningful than seeing a first-generation college student earn a degree, a graduate succeed in the military, or a former student thrive in a career they once only dreamed about. When we help one student realize their potential, we often change the trajectory of an entire family for generations. I also encourage young women to believe in themselves, even when they feel uncertain. Some of the greatest opportunities in my career came because someone else saw potential in me before I saw it in myself. Seek out mentors who will challenge and encourage you, and when you reach positions of leadership, become that mentor for someone else. Leadership is not about titles—it is about lifting others, opening doors, and creating opportunities so the next generation can achieve even more than we did.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the greatest challenges facing education today is navigating a rapidly changing landscape while continuing to ensure that every student has access to a high-quality public education. As a woman in executive school leadership, I have also experienced the unique challenges and biases that can accompany leadership in a field where women remain underrepresented in many of the highest-level positions. While significant progress has been made, there is still important work to do in expanding opportunities for women to lead, ensuring their voices are valued, and creating leadership pathways for the next generation. At the same time, I see tremendous opportunity. Public education has always evolved to meet the needs of students, and today's challenges require us to be innovative, collaborative, and forward-thinking. I believe we must continue expanding access to dual credit, early college opportunities, career and technical education, and other advanced academic pathways so every student can graduate with meaningful choices for their future. As Texas continues to reshape the educational landscape through school choice and voucher legislation, public schools also have an opportunity to learn from both the private and charter sectors adopting innovative practices, strengthening customer service, and continually improving how we serve students and families. Rather than fearing change, I believe educational leaders should embrace it, using it as a catalyst to strengthen public education while remaining steadfast in our commitment to equity, excellence, and opportunity for every child.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide both my professional and personal life are faith, family, service, integrity, and a steadfast belief in the transformative power of education. My family has always been my greatest source of strength and encouragement. They have celebrated my successes, supported me through challenges, and reminded me that no professional accomplishment is more important than the relationships we build with those we love. As a mother, I have always wanted my children to see that with perseverance, compassion, and hard work, it is possible to pursue meaningful goals while remaining grounded in what matters most. Professionally, I believe education is one of the greatest tools we have to change the trajectory of a person's life. I am passionate about expanding opportunities for students and families through high-quality educational experiences, mentoring future leaders, and developing others to reach their full potential. I have a special passion for encouraging women to pursue leadership roles while creating environments where all aspiring leaders can grow with confidence and purpose. Service is another value that defines who I am. Whether through my work in public education or my involvement in community organizations, I believe leadership carries a responsibility to give back, strengthen communities, and serve others with humility. At the end of the day, I hope to be remembered not only for the positions I held or the initiatives I led, but for the lives I touched, the leaders I helped develop, and the opportunities I created for students, families, and future generations.
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