Wanyonyi Kendrick loves animals and admits she dreamed of becoming a
zoologist when she was growing up. Today she serves on the board of the
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens as well as the UNF Board of Trustees and
is a past board member for INROADS. She does this while also serving as
chief information officer for JEA and balancing an active family life.
Kendrick is a perfect example of an individual who has combined
childhood dreams with balancing the demands of a career and family.
UNF has benefited from Kendrick’s passion for education since 2003
when she was appointed by Gov. Jeb Bush to serve on the University’s
Board of Trustees. She was elected vice chair of the board in 2006.
As a former student, Kendrick has a valuable perspective on the board. In her years at UNF, Kendrick acknowledges she saw some things that
needed fixing. Now as a trustee, she has an opportunity to effect
change. “I saw UNF through the eyes of a student for so long. Now I’m
able to see the real inner workings of a university,” she said.
She received her bachelor of business administration in 1991 and her master of accountancy in 1995.
Kendrick’s husband, Aaron, is also a UNF graduate, earning three
degrees. The couple has one daughter, Angelica, who is a sophomore
studying chemistry at UNF.
Kendrick has fond memories of her student days on campus. She
doesn’t hesitate to praise Dr. Jeff Michelman, one of her professors.
“You work really hard in his classes. I remember when I passed the CPA
exam, the first person I went to tell, other than my husband, was Dr.
Michelman,” she said. “He was part of my success; my group of
cheerleaders.”
In addition to being a certified public accountant, Kendrick is
also a certified management accountant, accomplishments which have
propelled her in her career at JEA, Jacksonville’s electric, water and
sewer provider.
Coming to UNF was initially a decision of convenience for Kendrick.
However, after she was on campus she said she had an opportunity to go
to another university and decided to stay put. “I very quickly realized
it was my chosen university to go to. That was driven by the quality of
life at UNF and the willingness of faculty to work with students.”
Kendrick said UNF in general and the Coggin College of Business in
particular recognizes students as individuals with certain strengths
and encourages them to be inquisitive. “At UNF I learned you can always
do more than you initially expect.”
