dr. karen terrell jackson
“focusing on the process for a sustainable life”
I started Katalyst Innovative Consulting Services, Inc. in 2012 to help organizations, communities, and leaders become catalysts for innovation and transformation. At Katalyst we use research and evaluation as tools with a community engagement approach to leadership development, and thought partnership. “Thought partnership refers to partnering with individuals, organizations, and communities to think about challenges, create questions to prove the challenges, and strategize about solutions. Not only have I lead countless case studies and research projects, but I’m also a keynote speaker for executive leaders, and recently elected President of the American Evaluation Association (AEA).
I have experience helping people and organizations think about where they are now, where they want to be in the future, and developing a plan to get there. I have the ability to assist in connecting multiple groups and resources to important issues. In challenging situations, I see endless possibilities and opportunities where others may see closed doors.
I like to say I’m a physical scientist that converted to social science. Community, equity, and honesty are important to me. I believe we are stronger in community. Some things I am most proud of are completing my doctorate, running a 5K, starting my business, and launching a new one.
The problems I aim to solve for my clients are:
Showing leaders how to listen inside-out and outside-in to achieve success
Using the heart/brain connections to better understand self
Empowering organizations/communities to plan using the gifts of the people on their teams
Visioning with organizations/communities to break up old ways of being and operating that no longer serve or work, and to develop new ways of operating
If these issues resonate with you, I encourage you to reach out and book a consultation. I look forward to working with you!
owner & principal evaluator, katalyst innovative consulting services, inc.
B.S. Chemistry, University of Southern Mississippi, 1994
M. Ed. Curriculum Instruction/Mathematics, USM 2004
PhD. Educational Research and Policy Analysis, North Carolina State University, 2014
Collaborative Partner, Collective Health & Education Equity Research (CHEER)
Advancing Culturally-responsive and Equitable (ACE) Evaluation Network Member, 2015-Present
Assistant Professor of Leadership Studies and Adult Education, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, 2018-Present
President Elect, American Evaluation Association (AEA), 2023-2026
My Approach
connect
We will connect my experience building understanding and unity in multiple networks and settings with rigorous methods and examination in relevant contexts in order to have high level impact.
elevate
We will rise up to envision possibilities and spend time exploring ideas in a relaxing environment. In parallel, we will hold space and sit with tension that leads to the point of change.
I enjoy exploring the places where the foundation has to be broken up so that the old ways are exposed and can be destroyed for new ways of being to be planted and cultivated. This is important because when the growth is nurtured, the connections can create a balance to sustain lives. To create this new life, I use my approach of Connect-Elevate-Focus-Inspire.
FOCUS
We will take an open and curious approach to our work together that will enable us to seek and pursue viable options to solve identified problems. A keen focus will enable us to see our options. We will use a combination of evidence that includes numbers, visuals, and stories. Using a practical review of unset and/or unfinished goals we will shine light on new paths to arriving at mastery.
inspire
We will engage in activities that will compel individuals, organizations, and communities to think critically and creatively about things like purpose, intent, communication and change. This type of thinking combined with planning enables them to breathe life into plans that have lay dormant for a season. Individuals and organizations will be able to see a new direction in places where they were previously stuck. Depth of insight will empower them to define and accomplish goals.
about my work
recent publications
I have published work in the areas of institutional transformation and effectiveness, leadership education, and community engagement. I’ve also facilitated evaluations, organizational redesign, and community engagement efforts in multiple settings. A few program examples include succession planning and board professional development for a poverty consortium, evaluation of a diversity and inclusion initiative at a community college, evaluation of an alternate-route teacher certification program implementation at Columbia College, community engagement coordination of the Department of Justice Project Safe Neighborhood program, and exploration and evaluation of capital access challenges for Black food entrepreneurs program for a foundation.
In 2018, I led a team in research that led to the publication of an article for a feed-back loop process implemented by Habitat for Humanity’s Neighborhood Revitalization unit. Click this link to review the publication. I also worked with MDC to design a study that examines transfer practices and experiences at four Southern community colleges.
I am registered as a preferred evaluator by the Expanding the Bench ACE Network, which is a network focused on increasing diversity in research and evaluation funded with support by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. I am also a member of the Board of Directors for the American Evaluation Association (2020 – 2023) and recently elected Board President (2023-2026).
Currently, I am faculty in the Leadership Studies and Adult Education department at North Carolina A&T State University where I teach research design, quantitative and qualitative research methods, ethics, and policy courses. My evaluation expertise includes the use of empowerment evaluation, program evaluation, and developmental evaluation approaches.
1. Jackson, K.T., Richardson, S., & Moss-Breen, J. (2022). Enacting a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Emphasis in Graduate and Professional Leadership Education. New Directions in Student Leadership: Leadership Education for Graduate and Professional School Students: Moving from Today to Tomorrow.
2. Jackson, K.T. (accepted January 2022). Race and Institutional Effectiveness in Higher Education. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Education.
3. Lee, A., Corneille, M., Jackson, K. T., Banks, B. (2022) Narratives of Black Women STEM Faculty: Breaking Barriers to Promote Institutional Transformation at Historically Black Colleges and Universities ADVANCE Journal’s Special Issue Call for Papers: Collaborations, Collisions, and Connections. 3(1).
4. Richardson, A. Okpala, C., Jackson, K. (2021). An Examination of the Relationship Between Revenue Sources and Retention Rates at Private Historically Black Colleges and Universities. International Journal of Social Policy and Education 3(12), p. 49-61.
5. Moore P. B., Jackson K. T., McAnulty L. (2021) Personality characteristics influence job satisfaction in sample of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists. Topics in Clinical Nutrition.
6. Sloss, E. & Jackson, K.T. (2021). Increasing Access to Capital for Healthier, More Equitable Food Systems. Self Help Shares. https://www.self-help.org/updates/sh-blog/blog/2021/06/25/increasing-access-to-capital-for-healthier-more-equitable-food-systems?mc_cid=17332abdca&mc_eid=6d2b073fc2
7. Lee, A., Corneille, M., Jackson, K. T., Banks, B. (March, 2021) Pathways to Institutional Transformation at HBCUs: Recommendations from HBCU Black Women STEM Faculty SN Social Sciences manuscript number, SNSS-D-20-00637R1 https://rdcu.be/ciqG3
