Outstanding Young Alumni
Jenna Jackson
Awarded 2013
Legendary journalist Dan Rather describes Jenna Jackson as “a professional who is an exceptional investigative reporter and overall superb television news producer—plus she is one of the best writers of her generation of American journalists.” Rather goes on to say, “Besides her many accomplishments as a professional, she is a kind-hearted, caring and generous person, deeply involved with many charities and much community service work in and around Houston.” Jackson graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from SHSU in 1997 with a double major in journalism and political science. While attending Sam Houston State, she served as editor of The Houstonian student newspaper and worked as a criminal justice reporter for The Huntsville Item. Following her graduation, she worked briefly as a newspaper reporter in Texas before heading to New York City, where she was employed in an entry-level position at CBS News. She quickly moved up and was named a producer for CBS’s hit program 48 Hours. During her 14 years with CBS, she received several prestigious media awards, including an Emmy in 2012 for “Grave Injustice,” about Anthony Graves. Graves was sentenced to death in 1992 for a crime he did not commit and was exonerated and released from prison in 2010. Jackson returned to Texas and in 2011 founded P&R Productions, a company that specializes in producing documentaries, films and commercials. She has served her community in a variety of endeavors, including work with CandlelightersChildhood Cancer Family Alliance; Texas Center for the Missing; Child Advocates, Inc.; St. Francis Episcopal Church; K9s4COPS; and Houston Boys and Girls Harbor. She has supported SHSU through presentations for the Honors College fund raiser “Let’s Talk!” and for students in the College of Fine Arts and Mass Communication. She has been a sponsor for “Bearkats in Business” and various alumni events and is a past board member of the SHSU Alumni Association. Jackson lives in Houston with her husband, Brendan Gilbert, and twin sons.