Shannon Jones

Shannon Jones, PhD has been serving as the Director of DE&I Programming for Experience Columbus since July 2021. Prior to joining Experience Columbus, Shannon was a teacher in Columbus City Schools and a College Access Coordinator for KIPP Columbus, a charter school network committed to helping historically marginalized children get to and through college. Most recently, Shannon earned her PhD from The Ohio State University where she researched the racial literacy of white faculty at a predominantly white higher education institution. Shannon has committed her entire professional career to finding various way to create equitable outcomes for people of color in her community. She is thrilled to join the Experience Columbus staff and is eager to apply what she has learned to the tourism industry. Her main priority will be launching Columbus’ first ever Diversity Apprenticeship Program. This program is designed to create a pipeline for BIPOC individuals seeking leadership positions in the travel industry. When Shannon is not working, she is cheering on her Buckeyes with her husband, 4-year-old son, and two dogs.