As an educator, Dr. Jayne K. Sommers skillfully weaves threads of inclusion, social-justice, theory-to-practice, and leadership into her approach to teaching and facilitation. She utilizes engaged learning pedagogical approaches to help individuals apply theory effectively in their professional work and personal lives. Jayne guides others through the process of self-discovery related to social identity and systems of power and privilege as well as the identification of meaningful action steps toward justice unique to one’s professional and personal circumstances.

Jayne is a thought leader in the field of trauma-informed education. She has been a key player in the development of the Minnesota Institute for Trauma-Informed Education (MITIE) at the University of St. Thomas. She also co-authored a continuing education course entitled Becoming Trauma-Informed: A Primer for Educators.

Jayne earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Gustavus Adolphus College, then received her MA in Women’s Studies from the University of Sussex in Brighton, England. Upon returning to the states after living and studying abroad, she began to explore her true calling as an educator. She spent the subsequent decade serving as a student-facing professional at a number of Minnesota institutions of higher education, developing crisis response, facilitation, and supervisory skills. She is a trained sexual assault advocate and experienced coach with an interest in the development of holistic wellbeing in the lives of caring professionals.

Jayne also earned an MA in Leadership in Student Affairs from the University of St. Thomas and her PhD in Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development from the University of Minnesota. Jayne now serves as an associate professor, chair of the Department of Educational Leadership, and director of the Leadership in Student Affairs MA program at the University of St. Thomas. Additionally, the intersections of her knowledge of college student development and inclusive pedagogy inform her work as director of the Inclusive Classroom Institute at St. Thomas.