Jennifer Hamer

Jennifer Hamer is a Professor of African American Studies and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at the Pennsylvania State University, where she also serves as Senior Faculty Mentor in the Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity. She holds a doctoral degree in sociology from the University of Texas-Austin and has held prior faculty and administrative roles at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, Wayne State University, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and the University of Kansas, including positions as department head, associate dean, and vice provost for diversity and equity.

Her research focuses on African American families, working-class communities, and equity in higher education. She has taught courses on Black families, communities, men, women, and youth, with publications addressing nonresidential fathers, single-parenting, and Black communities. Her administrative and scholarly work intersects to examine institutional policies and practices related to equity.

Dr. Hamer has served as editor for Race and Society, founding editor of Black Women, Gender and Families and Women, Gender and Families of Color, and currently advises the latter. Her career bridges academia and institutional leadership, emphasizing systemic equity in education and marginalized communities.