Vanguard University

This is Alicia Jackson. She is an Assistant Professor of Old Testament. Her favorite story in the Bible is 2 Chronicles 20 about how Jehoshaphat chooses to worship the Lord in the midst of his battle.

Alicia was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, as the eldest of three with a younger brother and sister. She remembers enjoying everything under the sun from; hiking, backpacking, camping and running. She recalls growing up in a Christian household inspired by her parent’s relationship with the Lord. After high school, Alicia attended Corban University in Salem, OR, aspiring to be an opera singer and music teacher. “I remember I was teaching a junior high boys orchestra at the time and realizing it was not for me.,” Alicia remembers. “It was a real moment of surrender to God. Becoming a professor someday was not on my radar at that moment, but I sensed the Lord calling me into fulltime ministry, and I said, ‘Yes.’”

Alicia would go back for another undergraduate degree in theology from Life Pacific College relocating to Northern California. There, she studied under mentors like April Westbrook who helped guide Alicia’s decision in pursuing a master's degree in biblical studies from Vanguard and later a PhD from the University of Birmingham, as well as ministerial credentials with the Assemblies of God.

“I think the Lord leads us by the desires he puts in our heart and the people he puts in our life. It’s taking that one step of obedience every day. During my time in college, I learned that sometimes God’s direction comes from the relationships in our lives.

After Alicia finished her two undergraduate degrees, she met her husband, Paul, while working at Starbucks. They had their first date surfing and eating at Sonny’s Pizza and Pasta in San Clemente. Today, they are married and have adopted a boy named Gabriel.

“I just want to encourage people that God sees the dreams in your heart and brings them about in His timing. Yes, there are a lot of unexpected turns and disappointments in life but just keep holding on and trusting in Him. He is good and faithful in every season!”

Vanguard is so thankful for Alicia’s commitment to sharing her love for the Lord in and out of the classroom.