The North Carolina School Superintendents’ Association (NCSSA) is proud to announce the selection of Dr. Rob Jackson as the Assistant Executive Director. In this new role in the organization, the Assistant Executive Director will be working in the areas of Policy, Advocacy, and Leadership Support; Professional Development, Coaching, and Program Leadership; Corporate Partnerships, Grants, and Resource Development; and Communications and Member Engagement.

Dr. Rob Jackson is a native North Carolinian and a proud Public School Graduate. He served for twelve years as a School Superintendent in three North Carolina School Systems, Edenton-Chowan, Carteret County, and Buncombe County.

During his 34-year career in education, Dr. Jackson has served as a School Secretary, Bus Driver, Summer Custodian, After-School Associate, Teacher, Assistant Principal, Elementary School Principal, High School Principal, Chief Communications Officer, and Superintendent of a small, medium, and large school system. Dr. Jackson also served in the US Navy onboard the USS Iwo Jima.

NCSSA Executive Director Jack Hoke said, “Dr. Jackson is highly respected across North Carolina by superintendents and state leaders alike. He brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role but is most known for leading school systems to historic results with kindness and strength. His heart for service will be a tremendous value-add to the NCSSA.”

NCSSA President Dr. Brent Williams and Superintendent of the Lenoir County Public Schools said, "Dr. Rob Jackson is a dynamic educator who leads with an inspiring vision for continuous improvement and a true passion for investing in others and helping students, schools, school systems, staff members, and overall communities to grow and to realize their full potential. Throughout Rob's distinguished leadership journey, he has been a strong and tireless advocate for the public schools across North Carolina and all of the stakeholders that we are so richly blessed to serve. I am certain that Dr. Jackson will continue to excel in his new leadership role with NCSSA."

Dr. Jackson has earned numerous state and national awards. In 2020, he was named the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Superintendent of the Year. He was selected as the first Superintendent to receive the Dr. Sam Houston Leadership Award in 2019. In July 2017, Dr. Jackson was unanimously selected as the Region One Superintendent of the Year. He was also the inaugural winner of the Dr. Brad Sneeden Superintendent Leadership Award.

Dr. Jackson earned a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Wingate University, an Education Specialist degree from Wingate University, a Master of School Administration degree from Western Carolina University, a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Western Carolina University, and an Associate in Arts degree from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College.

Dr. Jackson is a Past President of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association and the North Carolina Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Within NCSSA, Dr. Jackson has helped to create and implement the Aspiring Superintendents Program. He has served as a volunteer Thought-Partner for ten years in the program. To date, 68 program graduates have been selected to serve in the role of Superintendent.

Dr. Jackson stated, “I am very honored by the opportunity to continue to serve students, faculty, and staff through supporting School Superintendents across the state. NCSSA is highly regarded for its ability to work with leaders at all levels to advocate for students. I am excited to assist the Board of Directors and Executive Director in their important work.”

Dr. Jackson will begin in the role on September 21, 2026.