Tenisha Malcolm is the Director of the Urban Mayors Policy Center at John S. Watson Institute for Urban Policy and Research at Kean University. In this role, Malcolm supports the work of the Institute to provide support for New Jersey Urban Mayors Association (NJUMA) member mayors in guiding communities as they seek solutions to various issues facing urban municipalities. She will also provide technical support to the members of the NJUMA focusing on policy analysis and research.
Prior to joining the Watson Institute, Malcolm worked for several national and community-based nonprofits where she directed large-scale innovative programs, fundraising and strategic development. Most recently, Malcolm served as the Director of Cities Programs for The Nature Conservancy's New Jersey chapter, where she developed and led strategies that fostered nature-based solutions to address climate resiliency in some of the most marginalized communities in the state of New Jersey.
Malcolm holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Bloomfield College. She is currently a candidate for a Master of Public Administration degree from Rutgers University in Newark.
Tenisha is at her happiest place when she is out leading hikes with Outdoors On Purpose, a hiking group she founded that encourages Black and Brown people to find respite and joy in nature.
For more information about the John S. Watson Institute for Urban Policy and Research, visit kean.edu/watson-institute or contact:
Tenisha Malcolm
Director, Urban Mayors Policy Center
tmalcolm@kean.edu
John S. Watson Institute for Urban Policy and Research
Kean University
1000 Morris Avenue
Union, NJ 07083