About Dr. Jennifer "JJ" Jones

Jennifer Jones has been on staff at SMU for more than 30 years and was named a 2016 History Maker by the Black Alumni of SMU. She joined SMU in 1985, serving 16 years with Residence Life and Student Housing before becoming director of Multicultural Student Affairs and later assistant dean of student life/director of student activities and multicultural student affairs. She has advised the Student Senate and the directors of the Women & LGBT Center, family and parent programs, and the associate dean of the Caring Community Connections program.

Jones has spent her entire career at SMU within the division of Student Affairs, serving in a number of different roles. Her experiences include Fraternity and Sorority Life, Facilities, Multicultural Student Affairs, Student Centers, Student Support Services, Summer Conferences, Student Activities, Women and LGBT Center, and Student Engagement.

At SMU, Jones is responsible for the overall leadership for the Office of Social Change and Intercultural Engagement, and the Women and LGBT Center. She was appointed the Diversity Officer for the division of Student Affairs in 2020. This position serves as a resource to the Vice President for Student Affairs to ensure equity and inclusion throughout the division. 

Jones attended Southern Methodist University and earned her bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from SMU. She is involved in Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, the Association of Fraternity and Sorority Advisors, LeaderShape, and Gamma Sigma Alpha Honor Society.