Thursday, December 01, 2005

By Emily Walsh, PR Intern

Wilmington, N.C. - Anthony Jenkins has been named University of North Carolina Wilmington Associate Dean of Students. He comes to UNCW from Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago where he served as Assistant Dean of Students.

Jenkins received a Bachelor's in sociology-criminal justice from Fayetteville State University, a master's in criminology from North Carolina Central University, and a PhD in higher education with an emphasis in higher educational law from Virginia Tech.

Jenkins is eager to help students and encourages students to offer their feedback, ideas and concerns about "this young institution." He says, "My field is challenging, but I see these challenges as opportunities. Every student situation is important to me. Students would never be a disruption of our work; they are our work."

Jenkins believes that student affairs play a strategic role in appropriately addressing and helping the needs of UNCW students. "In the Dean of Students Office, we will never create a service or program without student feedback. It is important for students to share in the governance of their education, and even more important for student affairs professionals to provide those opportunities. I am of the opinion that if students do not have a place at the table then we will continue to miss the boat on fully addressing their needs," he said.

His immediate goal at UNCW is to make the Dean of Students office more visible and student friendly, and the best office on campus. "We are going to do business different in the Dean of Students Office. It is very important to get students involved. Not only do these students learn from us, we learn from the students," Jenkins said.

Jenkins came to Wilmington in July with his wife Toinette and two daughters Jasmine, 14, and Ashley, 8 months. "I love being with my family, and Wilmington is a city that offers many family oriented events," he said. He also enjoys playing basketball, golfing and driving his 1987 Corvette.

Anthony Jenkins can be reached at ext. 3119 or via e-mail jenkinsa@uncw.edu

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