Rose Jackson Flenorl has more than 30 years of experience working in marketing, communications and corporate social responsibility, 19 of those years for FedEx. She is manager of the FedEx Global Citizenship group and has been instrumental in the design and execution of the company’s major citizenship initiatives in the areas of global entrepreneurship, sustainable logistics, and diversity and inclusion. She also represents FedEx on the Conference Board Corporate Social Responsibility Council and the National Civil Rights Museum board of directors. Outside FedEx, Flenorl serves on the boards of the Renasant Bank West Tennessee and Saint Francis Hospital. As a student, Flenorl was the first Black woman named to the UM student Hall of Fame and was honored by Glamour magazine as one of the top 10 college women in the United States. She was inducted to the Ole Miss Alumni Hall of Fame in 1998. Flenorl, who earned her bachelor’s degree in education and journalism from UM in 1979. The Outstanding Educational Service Award, a special recognition allowing the School of Education to honor alumni or others who have demonstrated exemplary service throughout their career in support of the field of education at the community, state or national level.
“Rose has been an ambassador of goodwill, improvement and change throughout her life. She has made the university, FedEx, our country and our world a better place through her leadership. Her impact is incalculable, and we are proud she is an alumna of our School of Education.” – Billy Crews
At a Glance:
● More than 30 years of experience in marketing, communications and corporate social responsibility.
● Has worked in corporate communications for FedEx for 19 years
● Manager of the Fedex Global Citizenship group
● Represents FedEx on the Conference Board Corporate Social Responsibility Council and the National Civil Rights Museum board of directors.
● First black female student named to the UM Student Hall of Fame
● First black woman named to the Ole Miss Alumni Hall of Fame.
● Past president of the Ole Miss Alumni Association and past chair of the
University of Mississippi Foundation.
How did your education path lead you to UM?
I was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi. I am the oldest of four children born to Louis Jackson, Sr. and Mertha Jackson. I am a Delta girl. Both of my parents were teachers in the Clarksdale public
school system. They both retired as school principals. I spent my entire life in Clarksdale before attending Ole Miss. I was the first African-American valedictorian of Clarksdale High School. I decided to attend Ole Miss after participating in a conference sponsored by admissions that was specifically designed to recruit African-American students. I had the opportunity to spend a few days on campus, attend classes, meet with current African-Americans students and learn more
about academic offerings. I decided to attend Ole Miss after attending this conference.
Can you tell me more about your parents and grandmother who all taught in the Mississippi Public School System?
My paternal grandmother, Lillie Jackson, was a teacher in Noxubee and Winston County for more than thirty years. My grandma Lillie was my role model. I spent summers, vacations and special times with her and my grandfather, Alex, on their farm in Louisville, Mississippi. Grandma emphasized the importance of faith and education. She told me to take both seriously and value the importance of my education. That to know all things were possible if I kept faith in God. I listened. I learned. I believed. Grandpa Alex taught me the importance of hard work. He worked the farm by himself. He only had one child that could help him farm. He sent that one child, my father, to college.
My mother and father were both Jackson State College, now Jackson State University, graduates. Both were education majors. My mom graduated valedictorian at Jackson State and was crowned Miss Jackson State. My dad served as class chaplain. My mom retired after 35 years in various education positions in Clarksdale. She served as an elementary teacher, elementary coordinator, elementary reading supervisor, and elementary principal. Mom would take us to the public library after school to check out books. We were required to read books all year but especially during the summer. I had a love of reading at an early age because of my mom. She had high expectations for her children. She pushed us all to excel academically. My dad retired after 37 years of service in education. He once told me he was called to teach. Dad received his educational specialist degree in administration from Ole Miss. He was a science teacher at Higgins High School, a principal at Higgins Junior High and a principal at Booker T. Washington Elementary School. My dad loved his students, and they loved him. I think he understood the impact teachers have on the lives of their students. He accepted his role as a higher calling to make a difference and to serve. I learned service from my dad. I learned excellence from my mom.
How did your education at UM help you in your career?
I think my education at UM gave me a strong foundation. I had a great, well-rounded education. I felt prepared when I left Ole Miss. I also engaged in numerous campus organizations where I learned leadership skills, how to collaborate, the importance of teamwork and how to plan and execute. It made those first assignments at work less intimidating. I was president of the Association for Women Students at Ole Miss, served on the national board of directors for Sigma
Delta Chi, the Society for Professional Journalists as the student representative, and was active in the Associated Student Body. I was honored to be the first African American female inducted into the Ole Miss Student Hall of Fame. I had a great experience as a student teacher in Tupelo Public Schools. I was assigned to teach English and advise the student newspaper under teacher Marilyn Monroe. I still have a fondness for Tupelo after teaching there.
What have you found most meaningful in your career?
I love my job. I get paid to leverage the assets of FedEx to support our community. I have the opportunity to identify gaps. I collaborate with communities impacted and work together to find solutions. I enjoy being out in the community and working with leaders. I work alongside amazing and dedicated people on our global citizenship team to move the needle. Nothing gives me more satisfaction than making a difference and seeing results. I learned that from my parents and grandparents. We are all called to serve. The question is whether we will answer the call. I also feel compelled to mentor the next generation. I am grateful for the mentors I have had over my career. Mentors help you figure out the culture and how to get things done. I am committed to pay that forward. I spend more time speaking to youth groups across the country. Sharing my own mistakes, failures, encouraging hope and reminding them their dreams are possible.
What advice do you have for graduating students? Stay connected to your alma mater after graduation. My Ole Miss networks have supported me throughout my career. Fellow alumni have served as mentors in almost every job I’ve had. Just because you’ve graduated does not mean you stop learning. Continuous learning is important. Wherever you go to work, understand the business you are in. Understanding the business will make you more successful no matter what your role. You are the CEO of your career. No one will care more about your career than you. Seek opportunities to stretch in your job and learn new things. Meet with those who are in positions you aspire to. Set goals for where you would like to be in five or 10 years. Do the work. There are no shortcuts to success. Fail forward. We all make mistakes. Learn from them and move forward. Serve your community. I am proud to serve on the board of directors of the National Civil Rights Museum. I serve on the Ole Miss Alumni Board of Directors, the University of Mississippi Foundation Board of Directors and the Ole Miss Women’s Council. I have served on boards of United Way of the Mid-South, Leadership Memphis and numerous other non-profit organizations. I hope to continue to give back.
