Urban affairs professor named a Woman of Influence

Jennifer Subban, Ph.D., was one of seven women honored at the YWCA Dayton’s Women of Influence awards.

Wright State University associate professor of urban affairs Jennifer Subban, Ph.D., was one of seven area women honored March 15 at the YWCA Dayton’s annual Women of Influence awards.

Both in and out of the classroom, Subban strives to ignite a passion in her students for service and community engagement. She is the campus executive director of the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance and the director of the Student Philanthropy Project.

Subban also leads a study abroad service-learning trip to her homeland of South Africa. During the program, Wright State students facilitate a workshop for high school students, empowering them to improve their communities through service projects.

“I was able to accompany Dr. Subban to Durban and work with high school students through the community leadership workshop,” says her nominator.  “Through this experience I was able to open my eyes and see what a difference a person can make in his or her community. Dr. Subban has inspired these children to create change among a devastated society.”

Subban’s study abroad program is linked to Ubuntu LEAD, a nonprofit organization that she started with her husband to develop South African youth and increase their opportunities.

Subban came to Wright State in 2001 from the University of New Orleans, where she earned her doctorate in urban studies and also worked as a faculty member. She holds a master’s degree in urban and regional planning from the University of New Orleans and a bachelor’s degree in geography and environmental science and mathematical statistics from the University of Natal in Durban, South Africa.