Jenelle Nila was born, raised, and educated in Pomona, California. She is a critical feminist and transdisciplinary scholar and educator. Jenelle is a first-generation college and graduate student whose research and community work focus on the community-building and knowledge-sharing practices of women of color. She received a master’s degree in education from Claremont Graduate University and two bachelor’s degrees from UC Riverside in Sociology and Chicanx Studies. Jenelle began teaching and leading youth through the Inland Empire Future Leaders Program in Southern California. As an alum of IEFLP, she proudly served her community in various roles for over 15 years. Jenelle’s interest in educational equity and access began with the IEFLP program. Eventually, it led her to graduate school, where she has continued to assist students in their learning and development across various southern California campuses. Recently, Jenelle achieved her dream of teaching in her own community as a lecturer at the Cal Poly Pomona Campus, where she taught Ethnic Studies and Women and Gender Studies courses. Jenelle is excited to work with and serve the youth of Oakland, but most importantly, she is excited to learn from them. She is thrilled to be joining Girls Leadership and looks forward to learning and growing in community with the staff, youth, and leaders that Girls Leadership serves.
Jenelle enjoys reading, traveling, dancing, and listening to live music in her free time. She is a runner and enjoys exploring Oakland one mile at a time.
