Ph.D     School of Public Affairs and Administration - Rutgers University, Newark

M.P.A   School of Public Affairs and Administration - Rutgers University, Newark

B.A       Rutgers University - New Brunswick

Diversity Management Certification     University of Houston

Tia Sherée Gaynor is an Assistant Professor of Public Administration with the School of Management.  She holds a Ph.D. and MPA from the School of Public Affairs and Administration, at Rutgers University – Newark.  She received her BA in Psychology from Rutgers University – New Brunswick.  Additionally, Dr. Gaynor holds a Diversity Management Certification from the University of Houston’s International Institute for Diversity.

Her research interests explore the intersection of social justice, local government, and resident/citizen participation.  More specifically, identifying avenues by which the distance that currently exists between community residents and political issues can be decreased and, ultimately, eradicated.  Dr. Gaynor’s research is built upon an underscoring belief that resident power and influence is strengthened through political and social capital and hopes that her research will provide strategies that will foster collaborations and effective solutions to local dilemmas.

Dr. Gaynor entered academia after a successful career in development and fundraising where she developed partnerships, created and implemented strategies, and cultivated relationships in order to meet fundraising goals and support each institution’s mission. 

She is a member of several professional organizations including the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), Urban Affairs Association (UAA), Sisters of the Academy (SOTA), and the Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA).