Brandi P. Jones

Brandi P. Jones is a national thought leader in STEM diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her research centers on the experiences of minoritized and marginalized communities in science and engineering. As chief of staff and chief operating officer for the USC Race and Equity Center, she leads partnerships with corporations and educational organizations to illuminate, disrupt, and dismantle racism and inequities. 

In her previous role as vice dean for diversity and strategic initiatives and professor of engineering education at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, Jones provided strategic leadership for equity, diversity, inclusion and access initiatives. Her equity-minded approach to leading, teaching and training has achieved exciting results with education, corporate and community leaders. 

Before joining USC in 2016, Jones served as associate dean in the School of Engineering and Applied Science at Princeton University. She led equity and student success efforts as a member of the senior management team and dean’s executive council. Her experience in higher education administration includes positions at large public, community college, liberal arts, and Ivy League institutions, such as California Institute of Technology, Occidental College, California State University Long Beach, California State University, Dominguez Hills and Long Beach City College. She has held leadership positions in the National Association of Minority Engineering Program Administrators, National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, Quality Education for Minorities Network, Odyssey Charter School, Garvey/Allen Visual and Performing Arts Academy, Children Youth and Family Collaborative, University of Pennsylvania Alumni Association and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. 

Jones uses her position in the academy to reach communities who have limited access and resources. Throughout her career, she has been involved with numerous college outreach programs such as Young Engineering & Science Scholars Program, Upward Bound, College Aspiration Partnership Program, ChickTech and IndeedWeCode. 

Jones holds a doctorate degree in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania, a master’s degree in student development in higher education from California State University, Long Beach, and a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from San Jose State University.