Putting Students First: A Conversation With Vice President of Student Affairs Jackie Peterson

Peterson reflects on her 20 years at the College before her retirement in June



When Holy Cross set out to restructure the Department of Student Affairs 20 years ago, it was Jacqueline Peterson who accepted the challenge. In doing so, she became the first female, first person of color and first lay person appointed to the president’s cabinet. But making history is only part of Peterson’s legacy.

As vice president for student affairs and dean of students, she impacted hundreds of young people who credit her and Student Affairs with the guidance and support they needed during a critical time of their development. She announced plans to retire at the end of this academic year, and HCM will feature a celebration of her career and accomplishments in the summer issue. For this issue, HCM invited Peterson to converse about her career with Antonio Willis-Berry ‘13, currently the assistant director of housing operations at Bentley University, where his goal is to make a difference for students in higher education - just as Peterson did for him.

Antonio Willis-Berry: Tell me about what drew you to Holy Cross. What most excited you about becoming vice president of student affairs?

Jackie Peterson: I knew the College had an outstanding academic reputation, and the Ignatian values and mission truly resonated with my own personal values. They were looking for someone who could build a student-focused, student-centered educational experience that went beyond the academics – because clearly the academics were stellar. So I said, ‘Well, that’s a good place to be.’ And I love a challenge.

Willis-Berry: I know you do. What was it like when you first arrived in Worcester?

Peterson: I remember being a bit overwhelmed. In my past experience [with a new job], you come in, you settle into your office, you start to meet people. But the College had planned a really large welcoming reception for me with members from the [Worcester] community, including city officials, clergy and representatives from the public schools. I didn’t expect that! But I was gratified to see it, because – I have to admit – I wasn’t really sure about Worcester. But that reception showed me there is a strong community here. It is one of the fondest memories I have.



Peterson speaks with students at the annual Student Government Association dinner that she hosts.



Willis-Berry: I remember when I got here as a first-year student, it was quite interesting to know there was only one cabinet member of color. What was that like, to be the only person for a period of time?

Peterson: Not only was I the only person of color, I was the only woman. [Laughs] And that lasted a really long time. Let’s face it – I was the first since the College had been founded in 1843. [Tracy Barlok, the next woman to join the president’s cabinet, was appointed vice president for development and alumni relations in 2012.]

Sometimes I wondered if the challenges I found myself up against as an executive and a woman and a lay person were brought on as a result of my race or my gender, and the fact that I am Christian but not Catholic. I knew I had to hit the ground running with getting up to spec on understanding how Catholicism affects an undergraduate experience. I’m a product of two Catholic institutions [as an undergraduate student and as a graduate student]. But it’s very different when you’re a policy maker, a decision maker, a leader.

Willis-Berry: I could see that playing out as a student. There were decisions made when I was here that some might say don’t fit within more traditional Catholic teaching. But those decisions, such as acknowledging the rights of transgender students, were made because they were good decisions.

Peterson: That was a profound decision in so many ways. When I first arrived on campus, I walked into my new office and found stacks of files waiting for me. The first thing I see is a letter on top of the pile with about five or six pages of student signatures. The letter was addressed to the administration and it requested the establishment and recognition of a gay, lesbian, bi, transgender and questioning group – specifically, AbBiGaLe [known today as PRIDE]. Then, on top of that, was the response from the administration that said, ‘We’ve received your letter, and we have a new vice president arriving shortly. And we will take this matter up when that person arrives.’ [They both laugh] True story!

So my initial reaction was, ‘OK. This is a no-brainer. It’s the 21st century.’ But then I realized I had to step back and really take stock of where I was. This was not a knee-jerk decision that I would be making, but that I would need to have a process in place where we can vet broadly the community’s questions.

So I created a think tank, and I chose stakeholders from the different constituencies on campus – including the student proponents. My charge to them was to study whether it would be developmentally sound for students to have such a group, whether it would be spiritually important and whether there would be any negatives. At the end of the day, the trustees endorsed the recognition of AbBiGaLe.


Peterson shakes hands with a member of the class of 2016 after she received her diploma at commencement on May 27, 2016 at the DCU Center in Worcester.



Willis-Berry: You and I had always joked that I would be the next VP at Holy Cross. That’s obviously not happening – I still have things I need to learn. But where I am today in my career is in large part due to your guidance, your leadership. And one of the first conversations we really had was when you took me to Crossroads, and we had salads in the pub and talked about life and my career path. I think I was a sophomore at the time. And I know that other alums are invested in similar careers, thanks to you. How does it feel to know you’ve made such an impact?

Peterson: You know, yesterday I had a lunch meeting at the Harvard Graduate School of Education with a friend and colleague of mine. As we went into the dining hall, a woman stopped me. She said, ‘Dean Peterson, do you remember me?’ I looked at her – I didn’t remember her name, but I certainly remembered her face. She told me she’s completing her doctoral studies in higher education. And then she said, ‘I want to thank you, because what I’m doing today is in great part due to you as a role model and your mentoring.’ That interaction just happened 24 hours ago! It was so humbling. You don’t always know if you’ve made an impact. I’m in this business because I hoped I could make a difference and give back. And to hear from others that I’ve made a difference – that’s what it’s all about.

Willis-Berry: I agree. I leave work some days saying, ‘I don’t think I changed anyone’s life today,’ but I know I have to come back tomorrow and keep going. It’s important to keep in mind that the work we do isn’t about looking for immediate gratification, but a long-term reward. With that in mind, what would you say your legacy here has been?

Peterson: I’m fortunate that I’ve been at the table for some very important conversations at the College, specifically around diversity and inclusiveness. Sometimes I had to say the things that no one else thought of saying – things that challenged us as a community. Because, for a long time, the people on this campus and sitting around that table – they didn’t look like me, and they didn’t look like you. And yet we all wanted more people on this campus that represented the diversity of our society.

Today, we’ve successfully increased the diversity among our student body to 26 percent. But increasing the number of people of color does not fully address the goal of inclusivity and welcoming everyone. That takes more work. And, if we go back to the model of men and women for and with others, we need to ask: How do we do that when not all men and women look the same or come from the same background? I’m hoping I helped others learn more about people who are different from themselves, and to see there are just as many ways that we’re the same.


Peterson teaches a leadership seminar to first-year students.



Willis-Berry: You battled breast cancer when I was a student. It seemed that the entire College supported you in that time. What was that experience like?

Peterson: I was diagnosed in 2012. And that is when – for me – the College’s mission and values truly manifested. I saw it up close and personal. The hundreds of cards I received from students, faculty, staff, administration, alumni and trustees were just mind-boggling. The meals that my colleagues prepared for me during chemotherapy and hand delivered to my home – it was something that I’ll never forget. You see this necklace? [Picks up jewelry] My staff each took one of these purple stones and carried them around for a week, reflecting and praying over them for me. And then they put this necklace together and wrote a little synopsis of their wishes for me.

Willis-Berry: Wow. That just gave me the chills.

Peterson: To me, that is Holy Cross.

Willis-Berry: When I found out you were planning to retire, I was both excited for you and quite angry at the same time. Excited in knowing that whatever you set your mind to next, you’ll do very well. And angry, because future students won’t have the same opportunity to benefit from your influence as I did. I had a great experience at Holy Cross – due in large part to my involvement in extracurricular activities – which I know you had a huge hand in creating. I remember how some of my peers struggled, because they felt out of place. I never felt that way, and the reason is because I had people like you that I could talk to. I felt so comfortable. I felt so at home. You in some way helped create that really great experience, and I appreciate that. And I wish you well.

Peterson: I appreciate that. And I will miss the students the most. They have made me a better person, because I have learned so much from them.

This article appeared in the Spring 2017 issue of Holy Cross Magazine.

About Holy Cross Magazine

Holy Cross Magazine (HCM) is the quarterly alumni publication of the College of the Holy Cross. The award-winning publication is mailed to alumni and friends of the College and includes intriguing profiles, make-you-think features, alumni news, exclusive photos and more. Visit magazine.holycross.edu/about to contact HCM, submit alumni class notes, milestones, or letters to the editor.