Dr. Tanisha L. Jenkins is the Founder and Principal of The Jenkins Group, a strategic consulting firm dedicated to advancing student success, organizational effectiveness, and inclusive campus cultures across higher education and community-based organizations.
An accomplished higher education leader with over two decades of experience, Dr. Jenkins is nationally recognized for building cultures of care, belonging, and support that foster student achievement and institutional impact. Her work sits at the intersection of student affairs, strategic planning, academic partnerships, and organizational leadership, with a proven track record of leading complex, cross-functional initiatives that strengthen both people and systems.
Tanisha brings extensive experience in higher education, currently contributing to student success initiatives at The Ohio State University through strategic, high-impact projects that strengthen partnerships between student life and academic colleges. Her work centers on enhancing the student experience, fostering collaboration, and driving measurable outcomes across institutions and organizations.
Her leadership spans previous work at University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Western Carolina University, Clemson University, and Greenville Technical College, where she led large-scale efforts focused on student engagement, belonging, and success. She has managed multimillion-dollar budgets exceeding $3 million and guided teams of more than 40 full-time staff, while directing multicultural centers, developing retention and mentoring programs, advancing leadership initiatives, and implementing comprehensive student support strategies. In the corporate realm, she has held paid consulting contracts with organizations such as Pepsi Beverage Company – South Division, supporting their leadership and organizational development efforts.
Dr. Jenkins holds a PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies with a concentration in Higher Education Administration from the University of Tennessee, a Master of Education in Counselor Education from Clemson University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Presbyterian College. Her scholarship and professional work center on leadership, equity, student development, and the lived experiences of senior student affairs professionals. She is a sought-after speaker, facilitator, and thought partner, with presentations at national and regional conferences and deep involvement in professional associations including ACPA-College Student Educators International, NASPA-Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, and the Southern Association for College Student Affairs (SACSA).
Through The Jenkins Group, Dr. Jenkins brings her decades of experience, strategic insight, and values-driven leadership to organizations seeking to create welcoming environments, strengthen leadership capacity, and drive meaningful, sustainable change. Tanisha is a proud, active, and financial member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and The Links, Incorporated.
Dissertation: Herstory: A Qualitative Examination of the Experiences of African American Women Senior Student Affairs Officers at Land-Grant Institutions