Member Spotlight
Sonya Jenkins ’92
Sonya is from Warner Robins, GA, where her love for Auburn began before arriving on the Plains. She knew of Auburn’s reputation for academic excellence and majored in Applied Mathematics. As an Auburn student, she was involved with the Gospel Choir and was on the National Pan-Hellenic Council as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Following graduation, Sonya began her career as a defense contractor supporting various missions at Robins Air Force Base. Throughout her career, Sonya held different positions including Software Engineer, Program Manager, Operations Manager, Director of Proposals, and Vice President of Program Operations. In 2012, Sonya launched a business solutions company that provided professional grant & proposal writing services, strategic planning, resource planning, and program development & evaluation services. Her client base included non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and private corporations. Sonya is currently Chief of Operations for Advance Project Consulting, a defense contracting firm that provides Engineering, Aviation, Logistics and IT/Cyber Services, and she remains deeply committed to organizations whose mission is serving people.
As an active member of the Middle Georgia community, Sonya served as the Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Robins Regional Chamber of Commerce In 2014, she was recognized as one of “14 to watch in 2014” by the Macon Telegraph newspaper. In 2016, Sonya was appointed by Warner Robins Mayor and Council to serve on the Warner Robins Economic Development Authority and served as the Authority Board Chairwoman for three years. Sonya has been active in the Middle Georgia Youth Science and Technology Committee, the Museum of Aviation Foundation, and the Houston County Habitat for Humanity.
As a proud Auburn University alumna, Sonya is a LIFE member of the Auburn Alumni Association and is a ten-year member of the James E. Foy Loyalty Society. She serves on the Student Affairs Development Board and is a member of the College of Sciences and Mathematics (COSAM) Dean’s Leadership Council. Sonya supports the COSAM Office of Inclusion, Equity and Diversity and served as the keynote speaker for a Summer Bridge luncheon. Additionally, she was selected to serve on the Women’s History Month panel, which unfortunately was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently Sonya was announced as a recipient of an Auburn Alumni Association Black Alumni Award and was named a member of the inaugural Auburn Alumni Association Black Alumni Council.
In her spare time, Sonya enjoys reading, cooking, playing the piano, singing, and spending time with her family. Sonya and her husband Paul, whom she met at Haley Center, have three children, one of whom is a current Auburn student.