Alum dedicates career to creating opportunities for others

Tiffany Jones, a 2007 graduate of Central Michigan University, is a leader in creating positive change in higher education.

Since graduating from CMU with a degree in family studies she's been an advocate for college affordability and providing more support for Black, Latinx, Indigenous and first-generation students. Now, as the deputy director of data, measurement, learning and evaluation at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, she is leading a team responsible for researching and evaluating the foundation's investments in postsecondary education in the U.S.

Similar to CMU, the foundation's goal is to "ensure that all students who seek the opportunity are able to complete a high-quality, affordable post-secondary education that leads to a sustaining career." In line with that goal, Jones believes students deserve the opportunity to focus on their studies while in college instead of having to worry about how they will pay for it, afford their next meal or purchase books for classes.

"It's important that when students show up to campuses that colleges and universities are ready to serve them with high-quality experiences," Jones said. "I want to make sure my work contributes to campuses being better prepared to provide healthier environments for diverse groups, such as first-generation, low-income and students of color to truly thrive."

Despite having an op-ed published in The New York Times and working on legislation to remove the Pell Grant ban for students who are incarcerated, Jones said she is most proud of her work to improve the pathways for those who come after her.

"I've had a chance to mentor, hire and support opportunities for a lot of other diverse individuals and see them go on to do change work at organizations," Jones said. "Now when I listen in on expert panels in Washington D.C., it's a much more diverse group of voices."

Jones credits those who had a commitment to help her, such as her research mentor from the McNair Scholars Program at CMU, for where she is today.

"Other people were committed to my success and it made all the difference in the world," she said. "In the not-too-distant future, I hope someone can say that about me and my work."

This story was written by University Communications intern, Eva Steepe.