Dr. Jency, who became the first transgender woman in Tamil Nadu to graduate with a PhD, has been named Assistant Professor in the Department of English at Loyola College, Chennai, in a historic first for transgender representation in higher education. From Tiruttani in the Tiruvallur region, Jency succeeded intellectually, earning gold medals in both her undergraduate and postgraduate courses prior to finishing her doctorate research in English literature at Loyola College itself.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin hailed her achievement publicly in a social media post on platform X, saying, "May the light of your hard work guide hundreds more towards the shores of education! May you overcome obstacles and neglect through the mighty power of learning!"
Jency's appointment, solely on merit after competition against five other hopefuls, is a big milestone on the path towards inclusivity in academic institutions in Tamil Nadu.
Her journey to this achievement was not easy. Confronting institutional and social stigma, Jency worked part-time as a radio announcer, event host, and tutor for her MPhil, even setting aside money for gender-affirmative surgery. She openly spoke of how her family, initially shocked when she came out, has come around to being supportive of her life.
Loyola English department head Dr. P. Mary Vidya Porselvi commended Jency's outstanding academic qualifications and positive contribution to students. Although her work currently remains contractual in nature, Jency has hoped for a permanent position in a government college—an option she believes would have a significant influence on the transgender community.
Jency's historic success—not just academic achievement, but also an influential icon of transgender empowerment—ushers in a hopeful turn toward fairness and inclusiveness in India's educational environm
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