During Mary Baldwin College’s recent reunion weekend, Michelle “Chelle” Jackson of Falls Church was awarded the Service to Community Award.

Jackson, Class of 1989, was both an enlisted and a commissioned officer in the United States Army before earning a master’s degree in computer information systems and beginning a career as a paralegal. She has been a Sunday school teacher for children ages 6 years and younger and a mentor for teenagers at her church for the past 15 years.

Jackson has helped to organize activities for feeding the homeless and recently launched a support group within her church for veterans and active-duty officers returning home called Healing Our Warriors. The group offers spiritual and emotional support to help members of the military transition back to civilian life.

Outside of church, Jackson is a member of The Black Doll Affair, a philanthropic organization devoted to empowering black girls to develop positive self-images.