Melisha Jackman, MA

Vice President, Education

Melisha Jackman serves as Vice President, Education at The New York Academy of Sciences. She leads the strategy, growth, and scale of the Academy’s citywide and global science education portfolio, driving innovation across virtual learning, professional learning, and inquiry-based initiatives.

Melisha is a mission-driven non-profit leader with expertise in organizational leadership, systems design, program innovation, and cross-sector partnership development. Prior to joining the Academy, she served as Executive Director of Urban Word NYC, where she led organizational strategy and operations for the nationally recognized literary arts and youth development organization. She expanded partnerships with universities, cultural institutions, strengthened interdisciplinary learning opportunities, and advanced data and impact systems to support organizational effectiveness and long-term sustainability.

Previously, Melisha served as Executive Director of Brooklyn Kindergarten Society, where she led seven early childhood education schools serving families in NYCHA public housing communities. She strengthened instructional strategy, educator development, and organizational systems while advancing inquiry-driven and creative learning models for young children. During her tenure, she established the first sensory gym in public housing for young children with autism, which is now being recognized as an essential educational service by the Department of Education of the City of New York. Earlier in her career, she served as Managing Director of Out-of-School Time at East Harlem Tutorial Program, overseeing afterschool, summer learning, college access, and college success initiatives supporting students from elementary school through college. Her leadership has been recognized with the 2024 Dr. Sandra R. Gould Women of Distinction Award and the 2022 Power Woman of Brooklyn Award.

Melisha began her career as a science and math teacher and later served as a middle and high school principal. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and a Master of Arts in Chemistry Education from The City College of New York of the City University of New York and completed the Leadership in Education Apprenticeship Program (LEAP) at Baruch College.