Lynn C. Jennings, Ph.D

Lynn C. Jennings, Ph.D., is responsible for elevating and promoting EdTrust’s policy and advocacy positions at a national level, managing a diverse portfolio of important stakeholders and partners. Lynn supervises EdTrust’s national partnership and coalition work and directs the Partnership and Engagement team’s efforts to achieve policy change and other metrics of success to advance EdTrust’s mission.

A venerated champion of education equity, Lynn has dedicated her career to dismantling systemic barriers in education. During her decade-plus tenure at EdTrust, she first developed her expertise in education equity policy by working in government affairs. Then, under her leadership, EdTrust expanded its state advocacy portfolio by launching the National and State Partnerships team. Prior to working at EdTrust, she served as the senior manager of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Leadership Institute, where she was responsible for administering the foundation’s public policy fellowship and internship programs.

In addition to her extensive policy and advocacy experience, Lynn has a rich history as an educator. Over the years, she has taught English, African American studies, and women’s studies courses at various higher education institutions — including Spelman College, Columbia College Chicago, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison — and is currently an adjunct professor at Bowie State University. Lynn holds a B.A. in English from Spelman College and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.