Jeanneine Jones, Ed.D.
Distinguished Faculty Award
Program leadership, teaching, research and service. These words describe only the tip of the iceberg, so to say, of the work and achievements of one of UNC Charlotte’s most brilliant faculty members whose career at the university now spans more than a quarter of a century. Few college professors have had the vast impact developing their program at UNC Charlotte in the manner similar to Dr. Jeanneine Jones, Ed.D. As one of the greater Charlotte area’s most influential educators, her work affects not only her college students, but primary school students and educators alike.
“When tasked with bringing a unique opportunity for our teachers in high-priority schools to be able to gain their master’s degree within the context of their professional work, Dr. Jones made many possibilities a reality,” says Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Programs for Union County Public Schools Dr. John Jones, Jr.
“Above all, Dr. Jones has always been positive about the values and exemplary commitment UNC Charlotte has in further developing professionals and she models the University’s high standards through her communication, interactions and problem-solving.”
In her 25 years of service at UNC Charlotte, Dr. Jones has risen to the role of several director positions, where she tripled the size of the department in terms of both students and faculty, implemented the highly successful Master of Arts in Teaching program, developed the department’s advising center and launched innovative off-site programs to meet a variety of community needs to increase enrollment and enhance instruction.
Dr. Jones’ wealth of knowledge reaches far beyond the greater Charlotte area that she operates within. Her research upon the field of middle grades education has been published in more than four dozen prestigious articles, journals and book chapters, all with a focus on those issues which affect middle grades, culminating in her most recent publication: her own textbook. She also has secured more than $700,000 in grants to support her teaching and research with a recent grant of over $200,000 to fund and expand her M.Ed. in middle and secondary education programs into Union County.
“She does so much more than teach, she inspires, cares for and helps her students find their grit,” says Steve Wray, principal of Monroe Middle School. “The positive impact she makes can be felt on the UNC Charlotte campus as well as Union County Public Schools, where the educators in her current cohort are striving to replicate the experience of being a student of Dr. Jones as they educate and love their students.”