She received a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Florida, a MBA from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a BA in Computer and Information Science from Ohio State University. Jackson also directs the Heritage Research and Resource Management Lab at USF, which she launched in 2006 as an avenue for community engagement and student participation in applied projects and initiatives with relevance outside the academic arena. Jackson is interested in issues of identity and representation at public and/or national heritage sites. Her research focuses on heritage, heritage tourism, and the business of heritage research and resource management in the U.S and the Caribbean..