When Jenita Moore first moved to campus at Eastern Michigan University, she knew her life was changing.
She'd chosen Eastern partially out of financial necessity, but also because she believed that it would allow her to stay close enough to home to feel safe, but far enough so she could live her own life. She made lifelong friends with her room and suite mates from her freshman year in 211 Hill Hall.
"We made a pact that we would always stay together," Moore said. "We moved all around Hill Hall but we stayed together. I still talk with all of them too, even 20 some odd years on."
In her time at EMU, Moore was a vocal figure on campus, joining the Black Student Union and the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, involving herself with the Black Greek council. One thing that most influenced her in her time at Eastern was the discussion around changing the school's mascot from the "Hurons" to the current "Eagles." The dialogues between the University and the native speakers had a profound impact on Moore. By the time she graduated in 1993, the school's mascot had changed, and so had she.
As a young African-American woman, she met a variety of obstacles, including the doubt of some of her professors and advisors.
"At the time, I guess it was very uncommon for someone like me to be trying to get that degree," Moore said. "But I had other advisors and mentors that helped and worked with me so that I could change my minor and graduate with the degree I wanted to."
After graduating with a bachelor's in public law and government, Moore worked as a county clerk in the 24th District Court in Allen Park until 1998. She then became the legislative director and office manager for State Representative Artina Tinsley Hardman in 1999. She served in that capacity for five years, simultaneously earning her master's degree in public administration from Western Michigan University in 2004. While in Kalamazoo, she joked with her classmates that even though she was there to get her masters, she was really still an Eagle at heart.
In 2005, Moore joined the first female governor of Michigan, Jennifer Granholm, as deputy director of staff. In this role, Moore represented the governor’s office as it lobbied the state legislative body on public policy and other measures. She would also serve as a liaison to various state departments and agencies, and in 2008 became senior policy and legislation advisor for the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial services, where she stayed for over a decade.
During this time she would become vice president of EMU’s Black Alumni Association, serving for two years from 2014 to 2016 as secretary and parliamentarian. In 2015, Moore joined EMU’s Alumni Board of Directors, volunteering her time and energy to the board until 2021. In 2023, as Michigan state senator Sarah Anthony’s chief of staff, Moore communicated and coordinated with the community. Moore was on staff for Senator Anthony’s CROWN Act, which passed legislation that prevents the discrimination based on hair or hairstyle. In 2023, through her coordinating efforts, she helped to facilitate the funding for the construction of two sound barriers in Troy along I-75.
Moore became a legislative liaison for the Michigan Department of State in 2019, and has been serving as Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Director for community engagement since Nov. 2023. Now after more than 25 years of service in the government and as a business owner, Moore is joining the EMU board of regents after Governor Whitmer’s appointment, and will serve an eight year term. Moore will be involved with the student affairs and educational policies committees, and will serve as an auditor alongside EMU president James Smith.
She plans to use the first year or so to get her feet under her, but she plans to use her term effectively.
"I think that I'll be good by year three," Moore said.
