Benita Jackson is an assistant professor of Psychology at Smith College.  She received a PhD from the University of Michigan, the first-ever graduate of the joint doctoral program in Psychology and Women's Studies, concentrating on personality psychology and women's health.

During postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School, she concurrently completed a Master's of Public Health at the Harvard School of Public Health.  Dr. Jackson is particularly interested in the psychological pathways by which social status becomes embodied and shapes health.

She also serves on the steering committee and is a campus advisor for the Five College Certificate Program in Culture, Health, and Science.