Students in Crisis
Presenter Biography
Tonnie L. Renfro, a Louisville native, graduated a year ahead of her peers from Sallie Phillips
Durrett High School in 1977. She studied at Lee University and graduated with a Bachelor of
Arts degree in Sociology, with a minor in Psychology and Theology. Returning to Kentucky
during a recession in 1981, she worked for Ohio County Board of Education and the Beaver
Dam Deposit Bank before joining the United States Marine Corps. In the Marine Corps after
boot camp at Parris Island, S.C., she was one of very few women Marines who were serving as
jet mechanics of FA/18 fighter jets, breaking into areas once only filled by her male
counterparts. She served honorably, was highly decorated, and quickly promoted during her 6
years of service. During her full time service, she attended National University at night and
completed her Master of Arts degree in Business Administration.
In 1991, she was selected to a position with the Orange County Probation Department, Santa
Ana, California as a Deputy Probation Counselor. She was trained to work with incarcerated
youth, primarily gang members, and worked in both boys and girls units. Routine duties
included crisis prevention and intervention, managing a caseload, counseling young people on
her caseload, and training new staff.
In 1996, she took her education and years of experience and began a teaching career at
Computer Learning Center, a small technical career college in Anaheim, California. She taught a
wide variety of general education classes. The student population was multiracial and multisocioeconomic statuses. Many of her students were former gang members. One heartwarming
story, a student called her from jail to find out what homework he missed and if he did the
homework and gave it to his brother to bring to the college would the homework receive
credit. When she told her students she was moving back to Kentucky, one student asked her,
“But then who will teach us? “One of the best parts of teaching for Dr. Renfro is the affect she
can have on student’s lives. She continued her education through distance education from
LaSalle University, earning her doctoral degree in Sociology.
Prior to moving from California, Dr. Renfro emailed her resume to Spencerian College. She was
hired in February of 1998, and has been an asset to this college in her nearly 15 years of service.
She has received numerous awards and certificates for her devotion to education and to her
students. She serves as educator, counselor, crisis intervention counselor, member of retention
committees, and campus minister. As an ordained minister, she has performed weddings and
funerals for students and their families, as well as faculty and staff. She is currently expanding
her education through California Southern University to earn a Master of Science degree in
Psychology, emphasis in addictive behaviors and family therapy.