Court Management Program Celebrates First Second-Generation Graduate
Nearly two decades after his mother completed Ohio’s Certified Court Manager program, Ryan Jackson follows her path toward court leadership
Accompanied by Margaret Allen Hoyt of the National Center for State Courts, Ryan and Jacquelyn Jackson celebrate becoming the first second-generation duo to graduate from the Supreme Court’s Court Management Program.
When Ryan Jackson stepped onto the dais to receive his Certified Court Manager credential this year, it marked a unique moment in the program’s history.
For the first time, a second-generation participant has graduated from Ohio's Court Management Program.
Ryan joined the Certified Court Manager (CCM) Class of 2026 while working as the family recovery court program coordinator in Butler County.
He followed the same path as his mother, Jacquelyn Jackson, who earned her certification in 2009 while working for Dayton Municipal Court. Her class was only the second group of Ohio court professionals to complete the nationally recognized certification program.
Building a Career Through Court Management
Jacquelyn was hired out of college as a probation officer for Dayton Municipal Court. She worked her way up the leadership ladder and entered the Court Management Program while serving as chief probation officer.
The program helped prepare her to reach her ultimate goal of becoming a court administrator.
“Going through that program, I learned every piece of the puzzle that I could imagine I would need to know,” said Jacquelyn. "If it hadn't been for the Court Management Program, I would have been lost.”
After a 35-year career with Dayton Municipal Court, Jacquelyn retired. Looking back, she said her favorite part of the job was helping people.
“To do that type of job, you have to have compassion,” she said. “You can't work in the courts if you don't have compassion.”
Working in probation taught her that people should not be judged simply because their experiences and circumstances differ from her own.
“You have to meet them where they are to get them to try to see a different way,” said Jacquelyn.
A Lesson That Left a Lasting Impression
Jacquelyn made it a point to treat everyone with respect and wanted her children to learn to do the same. As a single mother, her kids often accompanied her to work and errands, earning the nickname “court babies.”
One of the most memorable moments of her career occurred while grocery shopping with her children.
“One of my former clients came up to me and said, ‘Hey, Ms. Jackson, yeah, you sent me to jail.’”
Not knowing what would come next filled her with fear, but that anxiety quickly turned to relief.
“The person went on to say, ‘I just wanted to thank you, because that was the best decision that was made for me. It changed my life,’” she recalled.
The encounter remains one of her proudest moments, especially because her children witnessed firsthand how her work had positively affected someone’s life.
Following in His Mother’s Footsteps
Those experiences left a lasting impression on Ryan.
After transitioning from a career in college football coaching, he entered the court system, serving in roles with the Montgomery County Domestic Relations Court before joining Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit Court.
Although he did not originally envision a career in the courts, Ryan said the profession became a natural fit.
"Being around it my whole life, I've embraced it and continued to take strides to advance my career," he said.
Like his mother, Ryan’s long-term goal is to become a court administrator.
He credits the Court Management Program with helping prepare him for that future while expanding his career opportunities.
"That's one thing I am definitely grateful for from the CMP," he said. "It opens so many doors."
A Legacy of Leadership
The Jackson family's connection to the program spans nearly two decades and reflects its lasting impact on court leaders across Ohio.
Ryan was among 38 court professionals recognized during a recent certification ceremony hosted by the Supreme Court and the National Center for State Courts' Institute for Court Management.
The Class of 2026 includes professionals from municipal, common pleas, juvenile, probate, and appellate courts across the state. Graduates serve in a variety of roles, including court administrators, clerks of court, magistrates, probation officers, and program coordinators.
To earn the CCM credential, participants complete a rigorous three-year curriculum focused on the challenges of court administration. Coursework covers court purposes and responsibilities, accountability and performance, caseflow and workflow management, budget and fiscal management, workforce management, and project management.