Background

Toby Jenkins is an Associate Professor of Higher Education. She also serves as Interim Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the Graduate School. Her work focuses on the use of culture as a politic of social survival, a tool of social change, and a transformational space within educational settings. She is considered a national expert on cultural inclusion and belonging in higher education.

Jenkins has authored five books focused on the evolving ideologies of culture, family, and education in contemporary society. My Culture, My Color, My Self: Heritage, Resilience and Community in the Lives of Young Adults was named by the Association of American University Press to the list of “Top 100 Books for Understanding Race Relations in the US". Family, Community, & Higher Education is an edited volume that explores the critical role of family and community in the lives of first generation college students. The Open Mic Night: Campus Programs that Champion College Student Voice was awarded a special recognition as the 2018 “Outstanding Edited Collection in Curriculum Studies” at the American Education Research Association’s (AERA) Annual Meeting.

Before becoming a professor, Jenkins spent 10 years working as an administrator in diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education. She has worked at the University of Maryland, Penn State University, George Mason University, the University of Hawaii, and Georgia Southern University. Jenkins’ past professional experience as a student affairs staff member with Semester at Sea as well as her individual research projects and studies have taken her to over 30 countries including Greece, Spain, Norway, Italy, Morocco, Egypt, Russia, Belgium, Turkey, South Africa, Senegal, England, France, Costa Rica, Jamaica and Trinidad.