Dr. Shonda R. Jones is Dean and Executive Vice President and Professor of the Practice of Intercultural Leadership at Brite Divinity School, where she provides visionary academic and institutional leadership for one of the nation’s premier progressive theological schools. An ordained Elder in the Horizon Texas Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church, Dr. Jones brings a deep commitment to theological education, equity, and communal thriving to her leadership.

Prior to joining Brite, Dr. Jones served as Assistant Dean of Academic Programs at Wake Forest University School of Professional Studies, guiding the development of innovative, market‑responsive graduate programs and leading collaborative teams of faculty and staff. Her broader career in higher education is distinguished by extensive contributions to the Wake Forest University School of Divinity, where she held roles including Senior Associate Dean of Strategic Initiatives and Integrative Learning and Assistant Teaching Professor in Intercultural Theological Education. Her work there centered on integrative learning, intercultural leadership formation, institutional assessment, and fostering equity and belonging.

Dr. Jones also served as Principal Investigator for the Faith COMPASS Center, directing a major public health initiative addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Southern United States through faith‑based capacity building. Her commitments include reducing health disparities, strengthening faith‑community engagement, and advancing intercultural practices that support communal flourishing.

Her previous leadership roles include service at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology and Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. She is co‑editor of Transforming Service: Reflections of Student Services Professionals in Theological Education and holds degrees from Texas Christian University (BA), Brite Divinity School (MDiv), and the University of Alabama (EdD).