Dr. Lenetra Jefferson, Associate Professor of Nursing, has been elected as the new Faculty Senate President for Troy University. With more than ten years of service at TROY, Dr. Jefferson brings a wealth of experience in nursing, leadership, and shared governance to the role.
Her journey to TROY began through a professional connection with colleague Dr. Shelly Vardaman, who first recruited her as an adjunct faculty member for the RN Mobility program. That program—designed for registered nurses pursuing a bachelor’s degree—eventually became Dr. Jefferson’s entry point into the Trojan family.
“I came for what I thought would be a courtesy campus visit, but I left feeling truly wooed,” Jefferson recalled. “It became clear that the School of Nursing valued what I could bring to the table, and I realized this was a place where I could grow.”
Since then, Dr. Jefferson has taught on both the Troy and Montgomery campuses, building strong relationships with faculty, staff, and students. Originally from New Orleans, she said she quickly felt at home thanks to the community’s warmth.
“The hospitality I received in Troy was unmatched. The friendliness, the support, even the little things, like no traffic and strangers saying hello, all made me feel like I was in the right place,” she said.
A Leader Shaped by Service
Although she describes herself as naturally introverted, Jefferson has consistently stepped into leadership roles when asked by colleagues. “Every time I’ve taken on a leadership role, it wasn’t something I sought out—it was something I was called to do,” she said. “I always tell people, I’m a workhorse, not a show horse.”
Her leadership style has been shaped by her family and her profession. With a mother who taught school for 42 years and a father and grandfather who were pastors, Jefferson grew up surrounded by examples of service, discipline, and communication. Nursing, she adds, has further equipped her to step confidently into leadership while remaining focused on others.
“Nursing taught me how to make people comfortable in difficult situations,” she explained. “It allows me to ‘fake’ being an extrovert when I need to, but at my core, I lead by listening, supporting, and working hard.”
Faculty Senate’s Role
The Faculty Senate plays a key role in TROY’s model of shared governance, providing faculty voices and perspectives to university leadership. Jefferson said her primary focus is ensuring those voices are heard and valued.
“It can feel daunting, but I try to focus on why I’m here: to serve my faculty colleagues and, ultimately, our students,” she said. “We all share the responsibility of working together to support students, whether we’re faculty, staff, or administrators.”
She emphasized that the Senate’s work often goes beyond academic policy, addressing what she calls “quality of life” issues that impact the entire campus community. As chair of the Faculty Welfare Committee last year, Jefferson led an initiative to identify and publicize lactation spaces across all Troy campuses—an effort that benefited both faculty and staff.
“These kinds of projects matter,” she said. “They may seem small, but they improve the daily experience for people in ways that ripple outward.”
Looking Ahead
Jefferson is beginning her term by working with senators to shape this year’s priorities. While those conversations are ongoing, she is committed to keeping communication open and inclusive. “My phone number is on every email I send,” she noted. “I want people to feel they can reach out directly with concerns or ideas.”
For Jefferson, leadership is rooted in service. “The call to serve is always real,” she said. “Not everyone will take on an elected position, but we can all find ways to serve—whether it’s helping during Move-In Day, greeting students at events, or supporting community drives.”
As she begins her presidency, Jefferson remains focused on TROY’s mission. “I wouldn’t work at the university if I didn’t believe in it,” she said. “My goal is to be supportive in everything I do and to represent my colleagues in a way that benefits our university community.”
