Miami alum builds equity-focused mental health firm serving Georgia schools and families
Miami alum builds equity-focused mental health firm serving Georgia schools and families
When Percy Jenkins left Miami University with three degrees in hand—including an education specialist degree in 2005—he didn’t yet know that his career path would lead to launching one of Georgia’s most trusted providers of psychological assessments and counseling services. But today, as founder of GenEd Psych Associates, Jenkins is helping bridge gaps in mental health access for youth and families across the state.
GenEd Psych Associates (GPA), based in Tyrone, Georgia, offers comprehensive psychological assessments, autism evaluations, and counseling services tailored to the needs of children, adolescents, and adults. The organization is built on a mission Jenkins identified early in his professional life: to deliver timely, culturally responsive care to underserved and often overlooked communities.
“The inspiration came from seeing the barriers families face when trying to get help,” Jenkins said. “Too many have to choose between missing work and supporting their child’s well-being. We wanted to remove that burden.”
GPA’s flexible scheduling—including evening, weekend, and even holiday appointments—is one way the business helps families navigate those challenges. But beyond convenience, Jenkins and his team focus on building trust. Many of the families they serve have experienced years of feeling misunderstood or marginalized in educational systems.
Since its launch, the business has seen measurable success. Just 13 months in, GPA secured a contract with one of Georgia’s largest school districts. That initial partnership led to 110 psychological evaluations being completed in a single summer—an achievement Jenkins considers one of his proudest moments. The district renewed the contract the following year.
Getting the business off the ground wasn’t easy. Jenkins self-financed GPA through what he calls the “Bank of Percy”—a personal investment backed by sacrifice and resolve.
“Despite foundations acknowledging the importance of our work, many wouldn’t fund us because we’re for-profit,” he said. “But we kept going, because the mission matters.”
Jenkins credits his time at Miami—particularly in the School Psychology program and through his graduate assistantship in athletics—for helping prepare him for the multifaceted nature of entrepreneurship.
“I learned how to manage logistics, meet tight deadlines, and collaborate across departments. Those same skills apply to running a business,” he said. “Our faculty also emphasized innovation and cultural responsiveness. That mindset gave me a strong start.”
In addition to being an entrepreneur, Jenkins is a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. GPA holds a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business designation from the Small Business Administration, a point of pride for Jenkins and a testament to the discipline and service ethos he brings to his work.
For students or aspiring entrepreneurs, Jenkins offers this advice: “Treat entrepreneurship like research. Look for real problems you care about solving. And if your field offers licensure, get it—it builds trust and can open doors you didn’t even know existed.”
With continued growth through district partnerships and a brick-and-mortar office built for community access, GPA remains rooted in the values that sparked its creation: compassion, equity, and the belief that everyone deserves care.
Jenkins’ story is featured in EHS Innovates: Founders and Builders, a spotlight series from Miami University’s College of Education, Health, and Society. This new series highlights alumni who are building ventures with purpose across education, health, and society.
EHS Innovates
Innovation thrives at the intersection of passion and purpose. EHS Innovates brings together students, alumni, faculty, and industry partners to explore how entrepreneurial thinking can drive meaningful change in education, health, and society. Through workshops, mentorship, and real-world challenges, we create opportunities to develop solutions that address pressing issues in our fields. Whether you're launching a venture, looking to collaborate, or simply curious about how innovation shapes your discipline, EHS Innovates is your gateway to making an impact.
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(AI tools Grammarly and ChatGPT 4.0 assisted with this article.)
