Shantelle K. Jenkins uplifts students serving humanity for the greater good

Shantelle K. Jenkins, Ed.D., remembers being a child and watching her mother serve as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority, Inc. Those were her first lessons in public service and they resonated with her so deeply that not only did she become an AKA, too, but she committed her career and her life’s work to public service.

“As cliché as it may sound, I was born with a servant heart,” Jenkins says. “Growing up in a Baptist church offered early opportunities in my childhood development to serve others. I feel a sense of joy when I am able to offer assistance, show compassion and lend a helping hand. Turning my passion into a career has been quite fulfilling.”

Jenkins is the associate director of the Master of Public Administration program in the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service at Ohio University. In her role, she provides online learning platform and course design support to instructional faculty and she’s also an associate professor of instruction for the online MPA program.

She began her journey at OHIO in 2019 as an instructor for the Voinovich Academy and her current role serves as a strong connection point for the School and Academy. Reflecting on the first six months in her new role, Jenkins looks forward to continuing to enhance alumni engagement and recruiting efforts for the MPA programs. 

“Living in a post-pandemic world offers public servants a unique opportunity to broaden their depth of service,” Jenkins says. “The needs through public service education are multifaceted and transformational influencing change management, improving communities through economic development, environmental sustainability, social justice reform, healthcare and education as critical pillars our society needs to flourish. Students who choose public service education are putting their knowledge and skills to work for the greater good of humanity.”

You can meet Shantelle K. Jenkins and see what the OHIO MPA experience might be like for you at the Preview Day on April 22 in Dublin. Find more information and register at this website.