She received a B.S.N. from Mennonite College of Nursing, a M.S. from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and a Ph.D. from Illinois State University. Her area of specialty includes advanced practice nursing and critical care. Dr. Jenkins' research interests include civility, academic integrity, trans-cultural nursing, indigent persons, and rapid response teams. She has received the Golden Lamp Award for teaching excellence from the University of Illinois, the Graduate Faculty Award from MCN, and Illinois Board of Higher Education Nurse Educator Award.