Jennifer Swann, PhD, has been a professor of Biological Sciences at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA for over 25 years.  While studying the neurobiology of sex differences she has actively pursued roles within and without higher education that promote equity and inclusion.  For example, she has campaigned for inclusion at the university for students, faculty and staff as the founding chair of the Student Diversity Task Force, the Council for Equity and Community and  Lehigh’s Faculty and Staff of Color Network.  And as the inaugural Director for Student Success in Lehigh University’s College of Arts and Sciences, she has been instrumental in revamping advising for first-year, low income and first-generation students. Professor Swann currently serves on Lehigh Faculty senate where she is working to create a faculty code of ethics and more equitable positions for non-tenured faculty.

Professor Swann is also an active member of her community promoting social justice through participation in End Mass Incarceration,  the Allentown Environmental Advisory Council, the Coalition for Appropriate Transportation and the NAACP. She has served on professional development committees for the Society for Neuroscience and the Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology.  Her work includes a number of advisory boards – including the Capstone Institute at Howard University, the Neuroscience program at Delaware State, the Ascend program at Morgan State and the Penn State Eberly School of Science. Professor Swann is an accomplished neuroscientist has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles, abstracts, book chapters and proceedings in the neurosciences, endocrinology and circadian rhythms.