Director of off-campus safety brings positivity and outreach

Kerry Jackson is enjoying his new role which allows him to shed his uniform for office attire.

Kerry Jackson exudes positive energy. His easygoing demeanor and upbeat personality draw people in and put them at ease, making him a natural for his new role at The University of Akron (UA).

After 13 years as an officer with The University of Akron Police Department (UAPD), Jackson has been appointed the inaugural director of off-campus safety. In this position he will work closely with President Gary L. Miller and his leadership team to help build partnerships, communication and connections with landlords, students, members of the City of Akron Police Department (APD), local businesses and elected officials.

“Although we are responsible for safety on the UA campus, we also see adjacent neighborhoods in the City of Akron as part of our footprint,” said Jackson. “Many of our students live in off-campus rentals and we have to make sure they feel safe and secure there because it impacts their experience as a student.”

Jackson has spent most of his life in service. Originally from Long Island, N.Y., he attended Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, N.C., majoring in criminal justice and left to join the U.S. Air Force where he worked as an aircraft loadmaster. He eventually moved to Ohio where he joined the APD, serving for 13 years before coming to UA.

He was all set to retire from UA – his last day was scheduled for Oct. 29 – and was planning for a future filled with rest and vacations to far-off lands, when he got the call to fill the new position.

“I really enjoy working with our students. This campus and this city have been part of my life for more than 26 years, so when President Miller asked me to take this job, I couldn’t say no,” he said.

Commitment to safety – on and off campus

As the community around the University continues to evolve and change, new safety concerns and needed procedures come to light, and Jackson will help to identify them. The University recently worked with the City of Akron and FirstEnergy to update lighting in the neighborhood south of Exchange Street where many students rent homes. UAPD regularly patrols the area and UA has instituted a variety of safety checks and programs for the area over the years.

On Sept. 21, 2021, Miller addressed the campus after the tragic loss of student Maya McFetridge from gun violence. He reiterated the University’s commitment to safety. The University has since doubled down on its safety efforts, working with the Ohio State Highway Patrol to provide additional patrols of campus and the south of Exchange Street neighborhood, and by opening the Block by Block office on Exchange Street. The University’s Board of Trustees also approved the hiring of three additional police officers for the south of Exchange Street area as well as funds for a new camera system for that neighborhood.

“I am personally committed to doing whatever it takes to secure the safety of every person who comes to this university to learn, work or visit,” Miller said in his address. “There is nothing more important to me and this university community.”

‘This is meaningful work’

UAPD and Jackson will continue to work with landlords to address issues in the neighborhoods and to educate students. “Many of our students are new to living on their own and to living in an urban environment,” Jackson said. “We have to remind them of the importance of locking doors, shutting windows and not leaving valuables in vehicles – all things that lead to an increase in crime.”

Jackson has already started his outreach, meeting with landlords, non-profit organizations such as Neighborhood Network (focused on revitalizing neighboring Middlebury and University Park neighborhoods) and UA Undergraduate Student Government. He plans to schedule walks of the campus with students, administrators and others to look for things that need to be fixed and to identify areas of improvement. He also wants to do his part to help bring students and UAPD together so that they know each other and are comfortable talking about important issues.

“I hope that in this role I can be a trusted person that students come to for safety issues and that I can be of help,” he said. “Many need outside help and I want them to feel comfortable to ask. This is really meaningful work.”

Life outside of law enforcement

Although his UA career has been in law enforcement, he has also served as the Zips athletics liaison. He recently traveled to Auburn with the Zips Football team where he was able to accompany them on a visit to the Black History Museum in Birmingham, Ala. “It really opened up a lot of opportunity for conversations and allowed us to gain understanding and build stronger relationships.”

Outside of work, Jackson enjoys horseback riding. He has a beloved draft horse named Woody that he adopted from Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary, an animal rescue his wife oversees in Portage County.

He also has two biological sons and one stepson – one works for APD and one is in the Air Force – and he is a grandfather.

Dedicated to making a difference

Jackson understands that his position is not going to bring about a quick fix. But he is dedicated to the effort.

“I hope to put in place a system where the city, community and University can work together in a cohesive way to address safety,” Jackson said. “By opening up communication, we can work together to find solutions. If we can get this right, it benefits everyone.”

Media contact: Cristine Boyd, 330-972-6476 or cboyd@uakron.edu