Study: RPI's Jackson highest paid among private colleges
Nearly $1.6 million
When the latest survey from the Chronicle of Higher Education comes out today, it will show RPI President Shirley Ann Jackson is the nation's most handsomely compensated head of a private college or university at nearly 1.6 million dollars.
The study says at least 23 heads of private colleges and universities earned a total of more than $1 million each in fiscal year 2008.
Median compensation for the group surveyed rose 6.5 percent to $359,000.
In anticipation of the Chronicle's study, one of Jackson's assistants released this statement attributed to William N. Walker, Vice President for Strategic Communications and External Relations:
"Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute President Shirley Ann Jackson’s compensation is a reflection of her extraordinary accomplishments, envisioning and leading a comprehensive transformation at Rensselaer, moving it to a top-tier, world class teaching and research institution with global reach and global impact. The value she contributes to the Institute far exceeds the amount she is paid.
During the past decade, President Jackson’s leadership has truly transformed Rensselaer. The value of the physical plant has nearly doubled resulting from $690 million in new construction and renovation of facilities for research, teaching, and student life, including investments in three major research/teaching platforms that make possible a level of interdisciplinary intellectual activity resulting in transformational discoveries and innovation. In addition, the student applications have doubled; the academic profile of the students continues to rise; scores of new teachers/scholars have rejuvenated the faculty; research volume has nearly tripled; and life-changing new student programs, services and facilities have been introduced. This transformation has been realized, in part, by a successful $1.4 billion capital campaign, which was led by President Jackson.
These are just a sampling of the metrics of change. Look in any direction, and you will see the transformation underway at Rensselaer. In addition, her global reach has raised the stature and profile of Rensselaer on the world stage. We are very proud of what, together, we have accomplished under her leadership."
Among the points RPI makes in a short biography of Dr. Jackson: She is a theoretical physicist who has held senior leadership positions in government, industry, research, and academe. She was chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission from 1995 to 1999. President Obama has appointed her to serve on the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. She serves on the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, and is a member of the Board of Directors of global companies including IBM and FedEx. Dr. Jackson holds a S.B. in physics and a Ph.D. in theoretical elementary particle physics, both from M.I.T.
