Juris Doctorate
Georgetown University Law Center
Bachelor of Science
Marketing, with a minor in English
Georgetown University McDonough School of Business
Kymberly Smith Jackson’s beloved education quote from famed author and social justice activist bell hooks highlights what inspired her transition from litigation to teaching at AACC: “The classroom, with all its limitations, remains a location of possibility.”
Jackson attributes her accomplishments to lessons instilled by her parents. Her mother, a self-proclaimed “straight-A student,” was first in her family to earn a college degree despite bigotry she faced attending nursing school in race-strained Boston, Mass. On her father’s side, Jackson joins three generations of advanced degrees and four generations of her family who completed college.
"This means that my great-great-grandfather, whose parents were enslaved, overcame tremendous adversity to pursue education and leave its legacy for his children. Education has strengthened our family by enlarging our capacity, expanding our communities and fueling our achievements."
As a federal prosecutor, Jackson witnessed how criminal conduct often stems from a paralyzing sense of hopelessness caused by barriers to educational success and skills development.
"During the 10 years that I proudly represented the United States of America, I analyzed hundreds of presentence reports. For 26 years I advocated for clients in disputes largely triggered by stifled understanding. The unifying and frustrating theme was the absence of tools."
Jackson recalls what ignited her passion for teaching:
"While reading what, for all intent and purpose, was the same presentence report I’d read since my first day at the DOJ (Department of Justice), I realized that my ‘lawyering phase’ was ending. I’d use my J.D. to build opportunities and share with my students the legacy which, beginning more than 100 years ago, was paid forward to me."
Jackson has taught full time in AACC’s American Bar Association-approved Paralegal program since 2018. She teaches various classes including criminal and civil rights law.
"I am honored to share my students’ growth and success journeys. Their curiosity, resilience and ambition energizes and inspires me!"
