CSUN Recognizes Visionary Environmental and Equity Leader Lisa Jackson with Honorary Degree
Media Contact: Carmen Ramos Chandler, carmen.chandler@csun.edu, (818) 677-2130
In recognition of her impactful work expanding educational access as well as her transformative environmental leadership and unwavering commitment to equity and justice, California State University, Northridge (CSUN) will honor Lisa P. Jackson, Apple Inc.’s Vice President for Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives, with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.
As the driving force behind Apple’s Racial Equity and Justice Initiative, Jackson tackles systemic barriers through bold programs in education, economic opportunity and criminal justice reform. Her vision directed a transformative $25 million investment in CSUN’s Global Hispanic Serving Institution Equity Innovation Hub, revolutionizing STEM education accessibility throughout California and beyond.
“Ms. Jackson stands as a powerful advocate for vulnerable communities,” noted CSUN President Erika D. Beck. “Her extraordinary leadership in environmental policy, education and justice reflects the foundational values CSUN holds dear. Her stewardship of Apple’s investments is creating a healthier and more equitable future for us all.”
Jackson’s leadership journey reflects her lifelong dedication to environmental protection and social justice. Breaking barriers as the first Black person to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under President Obama, she courageously championed aggressive climate action, strengthened air quality standards and officially recognized carbon dioxide as a public health threat – decisions that continue to shape environmental policy today.
Her remarkable career spans public service and corporate leadership, consistently demonstrating how principled determination can transform institutions. At the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, she reimagined the agency’s approach to hazardous waste cleanup. Later at the EPA, she orchestrated the response to the Deepwater Horizon crisis while simultaneously advancing stronger clean air regulations.
Since joining Apple in 2013, Jackson has revolutionized corporate environmental responsibility. Her innovative approaches to renewable energy adoption, sustainable materials and resource conservation have established new industry benchmarks that companies worldwide now emulate. Her work demonstrates how ethical business practices can drive both environmental progress and economic success.
Beyond her professional achievements, Jackson’s personal journey – from her New Orleans roots through engineering studies at Tulane and Princeton – reflects her commitment to creating new pathways to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education and opportunities for social and economic mobility through highly skilled, in-demand STEM careers. Her leadership inspires a new generation of environmental advocates and social entrepreneurs.
CSUN will confer Jackson’s honorary doctorate during the commencement ceremony for the College of Engineering and Computer Science and College of Science and Mathematics on Friday, May 16.
One of the largest universities in the country, California State University, Northridge (CSUN) is an urban, comprehensive university that delivers award-winning undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 36,000 students annually and counts nearly 425,000 alumni who fuel the region’s economy. Since its founding in 1958, CSUN has made a significant and long-term economic impact on California, generating nearly $1.9 billion in economic impact and nearly 12,000 jobs each year. CSUN is a Hispanic Serving Institution, ranking amongst the top twenty in the nation in graduating Latinx students. More than 70 percent of CSUN students are first-generation college students, and 60 percent come from historically underrepresented groups. Money magazine consistently ranks CSUN among the nation’s “most transformative” colleges for putting diverse students on the path to higher career earnings.
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