In Memoriam

In Memoriam: Jeanne Craig Sinkford, 1933-2025

Jeanne Craig Sinkford, the first woman to serve as dean of a dental school in the United States, passed away on October 1. She was 92 years old.

Born in Washington, D.C., Dr. Sinkford graduated at age 16 from the Paul Laurence Dunbar Senior High School, the first public high school for African Americans in the city. After earning her bachelor’s degree from Howard University, she enrolled in Howard’s College of Dentistry, where she graduated first in her class with her doctor of dental surgery degree. She then earned a master’s degree and Ph.D. from Northwestern University, followed by a residency in pedodontics at Children’s National Medical Center.

In 1975, Dr. Sinkford returned to Howard University to become dean of the College of Dentistry, making her the country’s first woman to lead a dental school. She served in this capacity until 1991, when she transitioned to the American Dental Education Association as associate executive director. She also founded and directed the association’s Center for Equity and Diversity.

Alongside her own dental research and teaching endeavors, Dr. Sinkford was dedicated to supporting other women and African Americans in healthcare. With two other women dentists, she co-authored Undaunted Trailblazers: Minority Women Leaders for Oral Health – A Collection of 31 Inspiring Stories of Triumph and Achievement (Capgenus, 2021).

For her many contributions to dentistry and academia, Dr. Sinkford received seven honorary doctorates and numerous awards throughout her lifetime. Currently, the ADEA presents three annual awards named in her honor. At the University of Michigan, a collection of materials from Dr. Sinkford’s career are on permanent display at the Sindecuse Museum of Dentistry.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related Articles

Latest News

Sherry Kollmann Named President of Vermont State University

0
With over 25 years of experience in higher education, business, and public service, Dr. Kollmann has been serving as chancellor of the New Mexico State University Global Campus. She is slated to become the next president of Vermont State University in July.

Stacy Leeds Will Be the Next President of the University of Tulsa

0
Throughout her career, Leeds has gained more than 25 years of experience as a professor and university administrator. Currently, she serves as dean of the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University.

Chantae Recasner Is the Sole Finalist for the Presidency of Olympic College in Washington

0
Dr. Recasner has over two decades of experience as a tenured faculty member and senior administration in higher education. She has been serving as the interim president of Seattle Central University.

Vanya Quiñones Appointed President of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

0
Dr. Quiñones, who has been serving as president of California State University, Monterey Bay, is slated to become the first Latina president of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona on July 1.

Shawna Cooper Whitehead Named the First Woman President of Regis University in Colorado

0
Dr. Cooper Whitehead brings extensive experience in student affairs and academic leadership to her new role. She comes to Regis university from Boston College, where she has served as vice president of student affairs since 2021.

Latest Job Listings

Director, School of Music

0
The University of Arizona School of Music seeks a visionary and collaborative Director to lead its comprehensive music program through a time of opportunity and transformation.

Assistant Professor, Clinician Educator track, in the Division of Genomic Diagnostics at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)

0
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania seek candidates for an Assistant Professor position in the non-tenure clinician educator track.

Communications Publications Editorial Manager (Website Content Manager)

0
The Website Content Manager serves as the primary website lead for the College, collaborating with team members across design, marketing, multimedia, public relations, and government affairs.

Assistant Senior Instructional Professor in the Social Sciences Core (Social Science Inquiry)

0
The Social Sciences Collegiate Division at the University of Chicago is now accepting applications for a full-time Assistant Senior Instructional Professor who will teach in and contribute to the management and administration of the Social Science Inquiry sequence in the Social Sciences Core.

Visiting Assistant Professor of Media Studies

0
The Department of Cinema & Media Studies at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia invites applications for a one-year Visiting Assistant Professor position in the field of media studies.