Bertrand Jones received her bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin and her master’s degree in Higher Education from Florida State University. She was also awarded her Ph.D. in Research and Evaluation Methods from FSU.

What does your research focus on? 

I use qualitative methods and critical and Black feminist theories to examine how culturally responsive environments and structures of support in education influence the intersectional experiences of historically underrepresented populations, particularly Black women, in academia.

How does your previous experience inform your role as associate dean for faculty affairs?

My nearly 25 years of work within higher education administration and as a program evaluator has also shaped my research on culturally responsive evaluation, higher education leadership, and faculty development. Before joining the College of Education at Illinois, I served as an associate professor of Higher Education, interim department chair, associate director of the Center for Postsecondary Success, and program coordinator for Higher Education at FSU.