Dr.Toby S. Jenkins
Toby S. Jenkins, Ph.D. serves as Interim Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion in the Graduate School at the University of South Carolina. She is also a tenured Associate Professor of Higher Education in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies within the College of Education. Additionally, Jenkins has served as Director of the Museum of Education, an aesthetic research center within the College of Education for the past three years. Her scholarship focuses on the ways that culture is used as a politic of social survival, a tool of social change, and a transformative space of critical and creative pedagogy. She is also interested in how educational institutions have served as both spaces of liberation and oppression for minoritized communities. Jenkins is a highly sought after expert in the areas of diversity, equity & inclusion, cultural inclusiveness in higher education, and student affairs administration. She regularly serves as the lead national expert for student affairs program reviews of university cultural centers and multicultural affairs departments. She has consulted for the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, University of Delaware, University of California-Santa Barbara, University of Southern California, University of Pittsburgh, The George Washington University, and the University of Notre Dame.
Academic Career
Dr. 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 (Temple University Press, 2013) 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 (Routledge Press, 2012) 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 (Stylus Publishing) was awarded a special recognition for "Outstanding Edited Collection in Curriculum Studies" by the American Educational Research Association Division B. The Invisible Backpack: Narratives of Family, Cultural Gifts and Community Assets on the Academic Journey (Lexington Books), uses narrative inquiry to explore culture as an educational asset among doctoral students. The book highlights the contributions of family and community to a college students' educational success. Her most recent book, Reshaping Graduate Education through Innovation and Experiential Learning (IGI Global) explores strategies that connect graduate education to community-based engagement and experiential learning. Dr. Jenkins has over 35 other publications including journal articles, book chapters, books, and magazine articles. She has given over 50 presentations at national and international conferences. Jenkins earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Relations from the Honors College at the University of South Carolina. She received her Masters in College Student Affairs from the University of Maryland, College Park and completed her doctoral studies in Educational Theory & Policy at Penn State University. Most recently, she served as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Educational Administration at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and before that as an Assistant Professor of Higher Education & Integrative Studies at George Mason University.
Administrative Experience
As a core member of the Graduate School’s leadership team, Dr. Jenkins is responsible for providing broad oversight of initiatives and actions leading towards greater diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Graduate School. Major responsibilities include: Leading strategic initiatives in support of the University’s DEI efforts in graduate student recruitment, retention, professional development, and career-readiness training. Partnering with department chairs, graduate directors, other administrative staff, faculty, and students to create a positive and supportive climate, particularly for graduate students from underrepresented backgrounds.
Before becoming a professor, Dr. Jenkins spent 10 years working as an administrator in the area of diversity and inclusion in higher education. In 2004, Dr. Jenkins came to Penn State University to direct the Paul Robeson Cultural Center. At Penn State she spent five years implementing a bold strategic vision for the cultural center which included (1) the creation of a new programming framework to guide the creation and delivery of cultural programs, (2) significant fund-raising efforts resulting in $50,000 of raised funds each year, (3) the creation of new staff positions, (4) intentional student outreach efforts, (5) facility enhancements, and (6) critical administrative policy changes. Jenkins expanded the cultural center's reach beyond campus and into local, regional, and global communities.
From 2000-2004, Dr. Jenkins worked at the University of Maryland within Academic Affairs as Assistant Director of the Nyumburu Cultural Center. While at UMCP, Jenkins planned university events bringing to campus artists and intellectuals such as Outkast, Maya Angelou, Elie Wiesel, Doug E. Fresh, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Johnnie Cochran, Nikki Giovanni, Dick Gregory, Molefi Asante, Dave Chapelle, and Bill Maher. She also served as a Program Manager within the College of Education conducting research assessment and creating mentoring outreach programs to local K-12 schools in the Institute for Urban and Minority Education. Highlights of her time at UMCP, include the creation of the Joint Service Project, which brought together college students, faculty, and staff in service efforts within the local community and the development of the Vision Cultural Mentoring Initiative, which provided college mentors and interactive cultural experiences for local high school students at low performing schools in Prince Georges County. Both programs received honors from the President of the United States and the Governor of Maryland.
Dr. 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. Additionally, she worked with students from over 40 countries as the resident life director for the Johns Hopkins University Office of Summer Programs. Within student affairs, she has also worked in student activities as a Program Board Advisor and in Fraternity and Sorority Life as a House Director.
Public Relations & Event Planning
Prior to her work in higher education, Jenkins worked for Momentum, IMC as an event marketing account executive. At Momentum she planned national events for the Coca Cola Company. Prior to Momentum, she worked at Oscar Mayer foods as media spokesperson for the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile. At Oscar Mayer she traveled the country with the Wienermobile auditioning children to star in the Oscar Mayer commercial.
Academic Career
Dr. 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 (Temple University Press, 2013) 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 (Routledge Press, 2012) 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 (Stylus Publishing) was awarded a special recognition for "Outstanding Edited Collection in Curriculum Studies" by the American Educational Research Association Division B. The Invisible Backpack: Narratives of Family, Cultural Gifts and Community Assets on the Academic Journey (Lexington Books), uses narrative inquiry to explore culture as an educational asset among doctoral students. The book highlights the contributions of family and community to a college students' educational success. Her most recent book, Reshaping Graduate Education through Innovation and Experiential Learning (IGI Global) explores strategies that connect graduate education to community-based engagement and experiential learning. Dr. Jenkins has over 35 other publications including journal articles, book chapters, books, and magazine articles. She has given over 50 presentations at national and international conferences. Jenkins earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Relations from the Honors College at the University of South Carolina. She received her Masters in College Student Affairs from the University of Maryland, College Park and completed her doctoral studies in Educational Theory & Policy at Penn State University. Most recently, she served as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Educational Administration at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and before that as an Assistant Professor of Higher Education & Integrative Studies at George Mason University.
Administrative Experience
As a core member of the Graduate School’s leadership team, Dr. Jenkins is responsible for providing broad oversight of initiatives and actions leading towards greater diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Graduate School. Major responsibilities include: Leading strategic initiatives in support of the University’s DEI efforts in graduate student recruitment, retention, professional development, and career-readiness training. Partnering with department chairs, graduate directors, other administrative staff, faculty, and students to create a positive and supportive climate, particularly for graduate students from underrepresented backgrounds.
Before becoming a professor, Dr. Jenkins spent 10 years working as an administrator in the area of diversity and inclusion in higher education. In 2004, Dr. Jenkins came to Penn State University to direct the Paul Robeson Cultural Center. At Penn State she spent five years implementing a bold strategic vision for the cultural center which included (1) the creation of a new programming framework to guide the creation and delivery of cultural programs, (2) significant fund-raising efforts resulting in $50,000 of raised funds each year, (3) the creation of new staff positions, (4) intentional student outreach efforts, (5) facility enhancements, and (6) critical administrative policy changes. Jenkins expanded the cultural center's reach beyond campus and into local, regional, and global communities.
From 2000-2004, Dr. Jenkins worked at the University of Maryland within Academic Affairs as Assistant Director of the Nyumburu Cultural Center. While at UMCP, Jenkins planned university events bringing to campus artists and intellectuals such as Outkast, Maya Angelou, Elie Wiesel, Doug E. Fresh, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Johnnie Cochran, Nikki Giovanni, Dick Gregory, Molefi Asante, Dave Chapelle, and Bill Maher. She also served as a Program Manager within the College of Education conducting research assessment and creating mentoring outreach programs to local K-12 schools in the Institute for Urban and Minority Education. Highlights of her time at UMCP, include the creation of the Joint Service Project, which brought together college students, faculty, and staff in service efforts within the local community and the development of the Vision Cultural Mentoring Initiative, which provided college mentors and interactive cultural experiences for local high school students at low performing schools in Prince Georges County. Both programs received honors from the President of the United States and the Governor of Maryland.
Dr. 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. Additionally, she worked with students from over 40 countries as the resident life director for the Johns Hopkins University Office of Summer Programs. Within student affairs, she has also worked in student activities as a Program Board Advisor and in Fraternity and Sorority Life as a House Director.
Public Relations & Event Planning
Prior to her work in higher education, Jenkins worked for Momentum, IMC as an event marketing account executive. At Momentum she planned national events for the Coca Cola Company. Prior to Momentum, she worked at Oscar Mayer foods as media spokesperson for the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile. At Oscar Mayer she traveled the country with the Wienermobile auditioning children to star in the Oscar Mayer commercial.
Jenkins on Inclusion & change
national Award highlight
National Conference on Race & Ethnicity
2021 Equity & Social Justice Awards
Program Highlight
Public webinar & podcast
EXHIBIT HIGHLIGHT
national project (lead co-curator)
1968 was a pivotal year of great turbulence in global history. In fact, Life Magazine references 1968 as “the year that changed the world.” Commissioned by the Association for the Study of Higher Education 2018 President, Dr. Lori Patton and funded by the IUPUI Institute for Arts & Humanities, Dr. Toby Jenkins (University of South Carolina) and Dr. Les Etienne (Indiana University) have co-curated a traveling, interactive exhibit, with an online component that highlights the year 1968, with particular emphasis on the sociopolitical contexts of higher education. This exhibit highlights a timeline of the year 1968, focusing on six overlapping areas that parallel present day issues on college campuses: Gun Violence, Freedom of Speech, Student Activism, Global/Local Resistance, Patriotism, and Organizing. As a traveling exhibit, a wide array of audiences will have an opportunity to experience this unique exhibit. The exhibit debuted at the 2018 ASHE National Conference in Tampa, Florida.
Visit the "Remember 1968" webpage here
Visit the "Remember 1968" webpage here
Video Highlights
Black Women Trailblazers in leadership
Panelist
SCETV Carolina Classrooms: Education Equity
Host
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