Dr. LaToya Jenkins is a transformational higher education leader with more than 20 years of experience advancing organizational excellence, student success, and strategic growth. She joined the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) in 2019 and rose to Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Experience, leading 12 high-impact teams and implementing innovative enrollment strategies that strengthened the university’s financial and operational health.

In 2026, she was appointed Chief of Staff and Vice President of Presidential Strategy, where she oversees the Office of the President and supports nearly 1,000 employees while guiding institutional priorities and long-term vision. Under her leadership, UMES has achieved five consecutive years of enrollment growth, along with improved retention, graduation rates, and student engagement initiatives.

Before UMES, Dr. Jenkins held leadership roles at CoStar Group and the University of Maryland Global Campus, where she supported over 30,000 students as Director of Undergraduate Advising. She serves on the APLU Executive Council for Student Affairs and is President of the University of Maryland College Park School of Arts and Humanities Advisory Board.

A 2025 Maryland Top 100 Women honoree, she is a graduate of Leadership Maryland and the Millennium Leadership Initiative. A proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, she is committed to service and mentorship.

Dr. Jenkins is a devoted wife and mother of three and remains dedicated to advancing educational equity and institutional impact.