2025 Virginia Black Business Leaders Awards: Deirdre C. Gonsalves-Jackson

Trained as a biologist, Gonsalves-Jackson leads Virginia Wesleyan’s online, Japanese, evening and weekend programs under the umbrella of the VWU Global Campus. She’s been recognized for STEM outreach and has received multiple teaching and community engagement awards. In 2024, she was promoted from dean to vice president.

FIRST JOB: My first job after graduating college was as a biology lab technician at Hampden-Sydney College, where I was responsible for setting up laboratories for a variety of upper and lower-level biology courses. This job was my first experience working behind the scenes in higher education and contributed to my desire to obtain a Ph.D. and return to higher education as an educator.

HOW I GIVE BACK: As vice president for VWU Global Campus, my research and administrative leadership focus on providing access to higher education for women, the financially needy, first-generation and underrepresented groups to provide them with impactful educational opportunities. I am fortunate to be in a position that allows me to contribute to their education and upward mobility.

PROUDEST PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT: Completing my Ph.D. in marine biology at Florida Tech was a huge accomplishment because it was a difficult road due to many unforeseen circumstances. Although I am very proud of overcoming these obstacles, the moment that gives me the most pride is receiving the Alumna Legacy Award for Women Inspiring Success and Excellence (WISE) from Florida Tech.

WHAT I’VE LEARNED: Opportunities present themselves when you have done the preparation and hard work and then happen to be in the right place at the right time.