Rhodes College has formally installed Jennifer M. Collins, as its 21st president, during a recent inauguration ceremony on October 21, 2023.
The Rhodes community celebrated with an eventful weekend of festivities to honor Collins amid the observance of the college’s 175th anniversary marked this year. Rhodes is dedicating this time as a reflection on its liberal arts and sciences history, while embarking on a future that will continue to inspire students, transform lives, graduate trailblazers, and advance the college’s national and international stature.
Courtesy of Rhodes College
Rhodes College Presidential Inauguration Ceremony - Dr. Terry Hill, senior member of faculty, and Jennifer M. Collins, president
Collins began her tenure as the 21st president of Rhodes College on July 1, 2022; and was just installed recently this year, as traditionally it has been known for colleges and universities to hold inaugurations of presidents months after the individual takes office.
As president of a private and national prominent liberal arts college, one of the main charges in advancing Rhodes’ mission will be ensuring teaching and learning opportunities lead to the success of students — academically, socially, and professionally, and that is exactly what Collins is most joyous about.
I derive my greatest joy from helping students, faculty, and staff achieve the personal and professional goals they have set for themselves,” says Collins. “Our students accomplish incredible things, from contributing hundreds of service hours to the Memphis community each year to doing high level research at places like St. Jude. Our students also enjoy tremendous success in obtaining entry to graduate and professional schools or landing their first post-grad position, with around 40 percent of our graduates deciding to stay right here in Memphis.”
Among an extensive and seasoned career path prior to acquiring her current role at Rhodes, Collins had been the Judge James Noel Dean and professor of law at Southern Methodist University. Her career outside of academia includes working in a private practice in Washington, D.C., and as an attorney-adviser in the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel. She was also Assistant United States Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia from 1994 to 2002. Collins earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Yale University and a Juris Doctor degree from Harvard University, where she also served as an editor for the Harvard Law Review.
Rhodes has championed its college community as a place like no other and celebrates the history, traditions, legacy, and important milestones made over the years. Collins plans to continue impacting and advancing the vision and mission, while enhancing ways to gain future growth opportunities for the college.
I am very excited about enhancing the college’s national and internal reputation; generating additional resources to support the fine work we are doing here on campus and provide additional opportunities for our students and faculty; continuing the fine work already underway to enhance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging across campus; and strengthening our connections to this wonderful city we are so fortunate to call home,” says Collins.
Today, Rhodes students — more than 2,000 representing 45 states and 63 countries — engage with the culture, community members, and global industries of the major metropolitan city of Memphis through service and internship opportunities, in addition to exploring the world through study abroad.
To learn more about President Jennifer M. Collins and Rhodes College, visit rhodes.edu.